My computer is windows XP home. I also run an older version of Zonealarm free. My question: Will I have problems when I update my Avast 5.0(free) to Avast 6.0 (free)
I have been waiting after reading that XP and Zonealarm firewall had issues with the new Avast 6.0
I am considering uninstalling Zonealarm free firewall and turning on the windows firewall. I know it only blocks, one way. I also have a hardware firewall turned on in my wireless router. Would I be protected with the hardware firewall and windows firewall?
You should keep your security software up-to-date as a general rule of thumb. Avast v6.0.1027 prerelease should fix the ZA compatibility issues on XP, don’t use older ones. If you don’t want to use prerelease versions, wait for next official release before updating to v6.
Short answer would be No you wouldn’t be fully protected. Most hardware router/firewalls only provide the same one way protection unless it specifically states it has outbound protection, I would say it is unlikely to do so.
Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.
So best to keep ZA firewall, though I feel there are better alternatives out there.
XP Media Centre Edition SP3
Avast Free 6.0.1000
Zone Alarm Free
Especially problematic with Spotify plus general freezing.
Had to uninstall Spotify and Zone Alarm in Safe Mode,reinstall Spotify and Outpost Free firewall.
All OK now.
Thank you to everyone that gave me advice. Today I did some checking and decided to uninstall ZA(free) and I installed online Armor firewall(free).
I had scanned my computer with SAS and Malwarebytes(both free) and Avast 5.0 yesterday. All came back clean. In a few days I will install Avast 6.0, just making sure my new firewall is working without problems.
Avast forum is the best! Thank you everyone! Becky
I will report back after I update to Avast 6.0.
OMG what a morning.
(On my Dell Desktop, win xp, sp3)This morning I got brave, first I turned off online armor firewall and clicked to update to 6.0.1000. When I restarted after the Avast install, I was locked out. Online Armor had stopped everything. About this time I was wishing I had stayed in bed.
I went in, safe mode and tried last good configuration, no success. restarted it a few times but no help. so went back in safe mode and chose to restore to earlier date. Thank goodness it gave me back so control.
Now I have uninstalled online armor after Avast 6.0.1000 put messages up that it was installed, refused the Web Rep and re-registered it.
Right now Avast 6.0.1000 seems to be working fine and Windows firewall is on.
I’d like to install the latest ZoneAlarm free firewall, because I understand it. But… I am afraid to do that at this time. Afraid the Avast 6.0 will mess up.
Any suggestions.
I'd like to install the latest ZoneAlarm free firewall, because I understand it. But... I am afraid to do that at this time. Afraid the Avast 6.0 will mess up.
Any suggestions.