General SecurityPost any general questions related to security, viruses or spyware here.
Mission Statement
WindowsBBS is an online community dedicated to easily accessible technical support for those using Microsoft operating systems and other Windows software.
Our goal is to become the leading resource for computer users that require assistance with their day-to-day computer usage, including full support for networking PC's, virus & malware removal, system upgrades and general support questions.
CA Internet Security Suite (2007) Firewall gone awry
Been having issues with using this firewall for the past week and haven't been able to figure out how to resolve my problem.
When I have the CA Firewall turned on, I cannot access any websites (receive the message "the page cannot be displayed" and the "cannot find server" shows in the task bar area). I cannot receive my mail (I use Outlook Express) and receive a message "server cannot be found". (I connect using a DSL modem through Qwest/MSN).
If I turn off this firewall and use the one through WindowsXP (SP2), everything works just fine.
I've tried looking through the help sections on the CA website, but haven't had much luck (and not sure how to exactly describe what the problem is to search to find an answer). If anyone can offer some ideas as to what I might do or look for to correct this internet connection issue, I would greatly appreciate it!
Bit if "fixing" this would be far more difficult than uninstalling/reinstalling, maybe that would be the better route to go? But due to my lack of computer skills, I'm not sure even the correct procedure to go about doing that? And would doing this mess up my "registration" for the program? (It's a retail version).
I did check to see if there was an "uninstall" operation included as an option for the CA Internet Security Suite, (start>all programs>CA>CA Internet Security Suite) but didn't find it listed. I was hoping that I would just be able to uninstall/reinstall the firewall portion, but guessing that I may have to uninstall the whole thing? (CA Suite includes anitvirus, anit-spam, anti-spyware along with the firewall) Would I then go to the Control Panel and use the "add/remove" section??
Hoping someone here can steer me in the right direction?!
Thanks!
Vicki
Didn't find the information you thought to find? Check out these Similar Threads
There was an autoupdate for CA a few days ago which may have fouled up your system - I use the Firewall and Antispam components only.
Open the firewall > click on the firewall icon and then on the Application Control tab if it is not already open. Scroll down the list ....
Is iexplore.exe listed? Are both access columns ticked?
Under the Zones tab I have Medium-Custom for both.
Under Email try turning off email protection.
CA should be listed in Add/Remove programs and you could try an uninstall/reinstall of the firewall component - Firewall and Antispam are listed separately for me and I seem to recall that the AV was too, but I had issues with that and dumped it. I imagine you have your registration/activation code to hand and can re-enter if required?
Thank you Pete, for your reply. I'm sure you're correct in thinking the autoupdate that was done was the cause of the problems I've been having! (I'm thinking it happened sometime on Sunday, the 20th of May)
I did check the firewall settings as you suggested. Yes, it does show iexplore.exe with both access columns checked. Zone Tabs, I have the same as you Medium-Custom under both. I haven't tried turning off e-mail protection--that worries me!
I also did some further checking on the add/remove programs in Windows control panel. When I clicked on remove (CA Internet Security Suite) it did list all of the componets and I could be able to tick which one(s) I would like to remove.
I'm thinking I should maybe try this, but my only fear is that if I do reinstall it and it does all of the updates that I may have the same problem as I started with??
And if I do opt to remove this, how do I go about reinstalling it? (I have the original cd program that I purchased).
I would try an uninstall/reinstall of the firewall component - uninstall through Add/Remove Programs and reboot whether asked to or not.
Before you reinstall check if you can access websites and receive mail (send yourself an email)
Reinstall the firewall from your install CD - I don't have a CD as my install was from a web download, but the installation program should detect which components are not installed and install them.
Quote:
my only fear is that if I do reinstall it and it does all of the updates that I may have the same problem as I started with??
You will never know unless you try If the problem remains nothing is lost - if solved you are the winner
Quote:
I haven't tried turning off e-mail protection--that worries me!
It should not - the main part of the AV will still be monitoring it - standard practice in troubleshooting and often recommended to leave it off.
(Oh my, some times I think I should really listen to my hubby and "leave well enough alone"! ) While I am still able to connect to the internet now, I'm not totally sure that everything is up and running the way it should be??
I did try to uninstall the firewall portion of this CA Internet Security Suite, but after several attempts in doing that (and reinstalling) I ended up choosing to uninstall the whole program. (And subsequently reinstalled it). So much for me following instructions too
Quote:
Before you reinstall check if you can access websites and receive mail (send yourself an email)
I now have the CA Security Center Shield (shown by the clock) appearing with a red "x" on it! When I open it, it states that none of the programs are installed?! But I do also have the AV Icon and the traffic bar (Firewall) also shown in that same area! (Never had those showing before, only the Shield, but maybe I had it set this way somehow when I first did the installation way back when?) This is very confusing to me!
Also when I did a reinstall, it stated that a "new network" had been detected, so now I have 2 networks (icons) that appear to be running at the same time?? One is listed as Local Area Connection 3, Speed--100.0Mbps, Status: Connected (this is the one that I have always remembered seeing listed there) and the new one is Local Area Connection on Linux IGD, Speed 614.4Kbps, Status: Connected
Somehow I always seem to manage to make such a mess of things that should probably be considered minor or easy fixes!
No, but you're welcome to my shoulder , but let's try to sort this one out.
I suspect a glitch in the install. If you go to Control Panel > Security Centre does that acknowledge that the CA firewall and AV are recognised? As the Shield with a red cross is not appearing in the notification area I guess you are protected and the CA Security Centre is fouled up. FWIW it never recognised that I had the CA AV installed
If you feel up to it uninstall the lot, reboot, re-install and update manually - use the Update button in the Security Centre.
I don't know what the second network connection is all about - do you have Linux installed as a second OS?
Are you receiving email now?
Hubby's advice is fine when everything is working, but when it's not .....
Thank you Pete, for your offer of the use of your shoulder!
I do not have any other OS on here other than Windows XP, so I did some researching (google) on what the heck that new network connection was doing there. I think it has something to do with MSN messenger (which I have but seldom use) and my Actiontec DSL modem?
I have chosen to not have that Security Shield or the new connection showing (in the clock area), so as long as I don't see it, it doesn't bother me! My biggest concern is that I'm still being protected!
I did also check into the Add/remove section and it shows my firewall and AV as listed ( I didn't install the PestPatrol or Antispam portions of this Security Suite) would you advise that I go ahead and reinstall these as well? Are these necessary/essential programs to have/use? I do have/use Ad-aware, SpyBot and Spyware Blaster.
But I also notice that if I go to Start>All Programs>( I have)> CA> Security Suite AND below that >eTrust Internet Security Suite. Surprised me to see that! I thought there would only be one intance of this being listed?
And in thinking back (which I have decided is harder to do as I get older ) I wonder if there wasn't an "update" several months ago of the CA Security thing & that had "combined" those programs into only showing as one icon (Shield) in the clock area? Thus the reason for both of them showing in the Start>All Programs list?
If you think there is something else I should do or check into, I would appreciate the advice.
Thanks again for all your assistance!
Vicki
Thanks again
I would load Antispam, unless your ISP has a good spam filter at their end. mine does, but I still have Antispam loaded and it catches the odd one which slips through the ISP's net.
Quote:
But I also notice that if I go to Start>All Programs>( I have)> CA> Security Suite AND below that >eTrust Internet Security Suite. Surprised me to see that! I thought there would only be one intance of this being listed?
Logically yes, but when CA combined the individual programs into the security suite they fouled up something so I would not be too concerned over that.
I still have no idea what the Linux connection is all about.
As I posted ...
Quote:
If you go to Control Panel > Security Centre does that acknowledge that the CA firewall and AV are recognised?
That is a double check that your protection is active.
I did check with the Security Center and found that yes, the firewall protection is on (e-trust personal firewall is listed as being 'on'). Under the antivirus protection it also states that it is 'on'. But I was somewhat surprised at the information that was given:
"Windows found more than one antivirus program on this computer and at least one reports that it is currently up to date and virus scanning is on." I was somewhat surprised to see that! I know I had used Norton's AV prior to installing the eTrust program, but I thought I had (completely) removed it?!
But at least I know I'm being protected and that was my main concern!
Norton has become very bloated and intrusive in recent years and is extremely difficult to remove all traces of. That is one reason why I dispensed with all Norton products some time ago.
The only real solution is to search the registry for Norton and Symantec and delete the entries, having first exported them for safety.
There was an autoupdate for CA a few days ago which may have fouled up your system - I use the Firewall and Antispam components only.
?
Pete, I a few questions maybe you or someone else could help me with. But first let me give you a little of my scenario. I to was using CA EZ Trust provided free by my ISP. About a week ago I could not boot the computer. Called this one fellow over he took it and said he formatted it and when he brought it back it was running great. I found all my files and e-mail addresses and was only missing a few programs that I had on my desktop that I re-installed---never did find out what caused the problem.
Now when he bought it back he installed Norton 2003 and no firewall or Anti-spy/malware programs that I previously had before. I had Norton back in 2002/2003 and finally got rid of it in favor of the of the CA suite. I argued with him and told him the Norton was bloated etc. and he claims the Norton 2003 is not. He also claims the the XP2 built in firewall is enough. (which is turned on) I do not feel safe with his suggestions. I was always a little unsure about the CA A/V because I never saw it recommended except by the "CEO of Infinisource" the owner of this BBS. I noticed that you were using only the CA firewall and anti-spam. What do you use for your A/V program and Anti-Syware/Malware program? I was leaning towards Kapersky or NOD 32 (I liked the hourly update feature). Your comments or anyone else's on my situation please.
Paul
Let me start by saying that I have never picked up a virus or any other nastie in all the years I have been working with computers.
I used to run NAV up to v.2005 I think, but I got fed up with their annual update costs and the increase in bloat and intrusiveness with every upgrade. I switched to eTrust, now CA on the recommendation of one of the Security gurus on the Board and that ran well until they combined all elements into the Security Suite. I then had issues with the suite not recognising that the AV was installed and finally with the AV malfunctioning after updates, etc. I dumped it in favour of NOD32 with which I am well pleased - completely effective and non-intrusive.
I continue to use the CA firewall which works well having discarded the personal (free) version of Kerio when that was discontinued. The Windows fire wall is one way only, inbound unlike other firewalls which work both ways, in and out. Having said that the Windows firewall inbound is probably as good as any. I use the paid version of Sunbelt Kerio on my laptop.
If I were to change the firewall on the desktop I would lean towards Sunbelt Kerio or Commodo (free) - the latter is highly recommended, but can be tricky to set up as I understand.
For protection against malware/spyware I run Sunbelt Counterspy - that is good in released form although I must admit to some issues in the current beta version - I am a beta tester. Counterspy gives real time protection, as does Windows Defender which I use on the laptop, but does the job rather better.
I also use SpywareBlaster - permanent protection against a range of nasties, coupled with Spybot S&D - which also gives a degree of permanent protection. I make an occasional scan with Spybot and also with AdAware SE.
On top of that I use ieSpyads to add to the Restricted Zone in IE and a custom Hosts file from MVPS.org
I should stress that the laptop is infrequently connected to the Internet nowadays - it is used in the main for demonstrations/tutorials on Photoshop
I just installed NOD32 and so-far so-good. Also have SpywareBlaster & ieSPYADS. Only problem I noticed lately was when I re-installed the CA Firewall, I could see an immediate slow down of site openings over the XP2 firewall. I going to eliminate the CA wall and give Comodo a try.
I used to use Spybot S&D, & AdAware but have not re-installed them yet---I have been afraid of putting on too much stuff on at one time and having problems then not knowing what program caused it.
I see that you use Sunbelt Counterspy and CharlesS likes SuperAntiSpyware--any thoughts on the difference between the two or is it just a matter of preference?
I don't understand the MVPS.org Host file you use. I glanced at their site and it looked to me like their was a TON of stuff on it --will have to read it again. Is ieSPYADS close to the same thing?
Thank you for your help--I have read a lot of your posts over the years and learned plenty from them.
And would doing this mess up my "registration" for the program? (It's a retail version).
If the problem remains nothing is lost - if solved you are the winner 
My biggest concern is that I'm still being protected!
