Router vs. Zone Alarm

I have read in various posts that Zone Alarm has problems with XP. I'm running XP Pro, ZA Plus, and a D-Link DI-604 router behind my cable modem. Exactly what could happen if ZA gets unstable? What settings, if any, should I make to the router's firewall to insure safety if I don't run ZA? It seems that I rarely get an incoming attack on ZA when I check the alarm log. Will the router firewall prevent unwanted outgoing traffic as well? Thanks.

 

Upgrade the firmware on the DLink and dump Zone Alarm.

 

I run XP Pro with ZoneAlarm Pro and a LinkSys router with absolutely no problems. ZoneAlarm restricts unauthorized outgoing traffic as well as unauthorized incoming traffic.

 

The reason behind my post is that I'm having a problem with apps closing with the message, "XXX had to close. We're sorry for the inconvenience," or words to that effect. I'm assuming that is a Windows message. The problem happens intermittently and it doesn't seem to matter what app is running. My wife had her e-mail client (Courier) shut down four times in ten minutes, then be stable for the rest of the day. I'm trying to zero in on this, and wondered if ZA might be part of it. My router's firewall does not stop outgoing traffic as ZA does, which is why I like ZA.

 

I understand that many users are having problems with ZA.

As a test have you tried stopping ZA from loading at startuo then shutting the machine down ( power off ) and restarting to see if the problem goes away.?

That is the best test that I know of for ANY suspect running in the background program.

If the problems stops all well and good. If it continues then the heat is off of ZA.

Also even the best of software may run on my machine with no problems. The same software on your machine may cause problems. BUT THIS IS NOT always the fault of the software itslef. What else is loaded plays a big part.

A message to all from me and my experience with XP PRO. When installing things like AV software, Firewalls etc. MAKE SURE that you have the proper version for XP.

BillyBob

 

An additional concern / cause could be running "two firewalls" simultaneously. Zone Alarm and D-Links 604 (firewall options page) may be stepping on each other. I have no experience with hardware firewalls, so please wait for additional suggestions. A hardware firewall has the advantage of speed, protecting all attached computers and is less susceptible to viral control.

 

Very good point.

But the problem does require some trial and error testing by the user.

BillyBob

 

I would think that very few people would run both a software firewall as well as a router - the assumption being that you have a good router. I'd even go so far as to guarantee that my friend who's a networking expert would have a cow if he was presented with that scenario. I'm no expert at this - I'm just repeating what I've heard.

You may being trying to be extra careful but you may be getting more aggravation than it's worth.

Gary

 

I agree that having both is a "belt and suspenders" approach, but ZA blocks outgoing traffic, which my router does not. Can the router be set to block unwanted outbound traffic as ZA does? I've looked at the router settings, and I don't understand much of it. If so, I'll use my router and be done with ZA. I'm all for making things simpler.

 

I would think that very few people would run both a software firewall as well as a router

I think it may well depend on how you think about it.

I had problems running a D-Link Router and the Kerio software Firewall. But I never had problems running a Linksys Router and Kerio.

I now have a new Linksys Router but have as yet not re-installed Kerio. After tomorrow evenings Golf game I may have a go at re-installing Kerio. On my system it is not only used for the Internet but I can also control access to and from ( mostly from ) the other two machines

Also it might make a difference as to which Software Firewall is used.

Many times it is not one item alone that is the problem. It may well be the combination that is the problem. Linksys and Kerio may get along fine but D-Link and Kerio my not. ( did not )

BTW. Two software Friewalls is not a better thing to do. I mistakingly tried that too. I thought one was shut down but it was not.

BillyBob