Err why not uninstall zone alarm rather than the update? Surely that would be better advice!

Martin, Northampton, UK

Let's be clear - this is caused by FireFox web browser (IE6/7 work) + ZoneAlarm firewall + M/S update KB951748. ZoneAlarm pro is a great firewall. Zone Alarm free isn't (but its free and better than nothing). Comodo is the best FREE firewall. M/S can't be blamed for not testing EVERYTHING !

David Evans, Notts, UK

Thanks Microsoft! Hours of virus scanning!They have done this too many times now where an update brakes another program. Microsoft should be fined for not carrying out full testing and not consulting major software vendors. Thank goodness I have Acronis TrueImage!

Tim, London, UK

Basic antivirus programs are all you need. Purchased firewalls and anti microsoft statements are all propaganda to get you to buy the newest protection. This is an issue of people being afraid of personal responsibility and watching what they do. I still look for myself when crossing the road.

Trevor Chadwick, Waterbury Center,

This release by Microsoft is in line with yesterday's announcement regarding a general weakness in DNS that affects the entire internet. Microsoft aren't the only ones patching this.
If you follow Zonealarm's advice, you risk being redirected to websites with malicious code

PC, London, UK

All the Windows machines on my home network went down, but fortunately I also run a Linux PC, and a brief bit of browsing on this revealed the cause of the problem.

Only question is, how soon do I ditch Microsoft on the others and move everything to Linux and OpenOffice? Not very long, I think!

Bob Hulley, Sonning,

I too had the same problem after installing Windows Update on a new Vista, and I don't have ZoneAlarm. My friend also has the problem. There are serious Windows update issues out there and there needs to be more information on how to handle this problem (other than a system restore or recovery).

Tim Bevil, Atlanta, USA

This bug doesn't affect Vista which works just fine with as it does with everything else these days.

Mark, Edinburgh,

Yikes! Zonealarm? No thanks...

Use professional software such as Norton Internet Security.

And a Mac.

clivex, Bristol, England

COMONDO is 100% FREE and much better than ZoneAlarm. It has beaten it in all tests (Along with most others).

This is not really MS's fault! It os ZoneAlarms and their bad coding.

Lee, BRISTOL, ENGLAND

the most annoying thing is, everyone seems to think its just zonealarm users affected, i dont have zonealarm, i use windows firewall and have the same problem after installing the update, i also have a friend who doesnt have zonealarm, he's using comodo firewall, he also has the same problems

Pete C., Romford, UK

There was I thinking it was some new software causing the problem. I've done three System Restores and only after the third - and the third Auto Update notification - did I realise what was afoot. Thank God I've also got a Mac and thank God for Times Online.

Neville Dalton, Newbury, UK

Download the latest version of Zone Alarm which was released on 9th July 2008.

Colin McCormick, Plymouth, UK

You can access internet temporarily by stepping down from stealth mode to medium in the firewall, but this should be used very cautiously and probably in emergencies i.e to view an urgent email. Most users probably still haven't a clue whats happened because they wont be able to read advise online^^

Ataul Hossain, Birmingham, UK

thank you for the heads up.

I had been wondering why phone calls from my "not so tech savvy" friends had exploded.
at least it's an easy fix. uninstall ZA and install PC tools firewall.

Rob, Melbourne, Australia

ZoneAlarm released new version updates today (10 July) that fixes this problem. Just download the latest ZoneAlarm version from their site:

http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html

Globetrotter, Cape Town, South Africa

Spend well over an hour on the phone to BT because of this so not happy. As already mentioned what exactly is the point of posting advice on the web for people who cannot access the internet due to the fault in the first place.

David Wright , Whitley Bay ,

When this happened after I downloaded (auto-update) the MS updates yesterday it was obvious that the denial of access to the Internet occurred immediately afterwards. Uninstalled ZA and re-installed - without success. Uninstalled again and put MS Firewall on - NOT happy.

Steve McWilliam, Runcorn, UK

What use is it posting advice to people that can't access the internet? Thankfully I have a second computer that is not set to automatic updates. I would suggest that there are many more ( single computer) Zonealarm users that are stranded without access to the internet.

Peter Hoskin, Central Tilba, Australia

So basically zone alarm doesnt stop the website rerouting that hackers can do but zonealarm and the new windows update are colliding, microsoft wins and then stops any connections with the complying update. I am unsure about this, i mean.... how many antivirus programs get shut out from a new patch?

Harry Torry, derby,

Only net newbies need zone alarm and similar software.
I haven't used any firewall or anti virus software in 13 years.
Good web browsing habits is all thats needed to remain safe on the net.

If you need a firewall, windows has one built in and most routers have them as well.

Bill Doors, California,