Only the toolbar is not compatible with Firefox because ZoneAlarm has not updated the toolbar. (NOTE: ZoneAlarm just started silently installing the toolbar update for Firefox 6 in the last couple of weeks; so they seem to be running about a month behind). You can post on the ZoneAlarm forum for confirmation about the toolbar, when it will be updated, etc. ZoneAlarm should still be working in the background to protect you.

Firefox has a feature similar to the main function of most security application toolbars to keep you away from malware and phishing sites. I do not use the toolbar that comes with my security application, but instead depend on Firefox's Safe Browsing component.

• See --> http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/phishing-protection/
• Sample warning screens:
  • http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/its-a-trap.html
  • http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/its-an-attack.html

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Not related to your question, but...

You may need to update some plug-ins. Check your plug-ins and update as necessary:

• Plug-in check: https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
• Adobe Shockwave for Director Netscape plug-in: Installing (or Updating) the Shockwave plugin with Firefox
• Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape: Installing/Updating Adobe Reader in Firefox
• Shockwave Flash (Adobe Flash or Flash): Updating Flash in Firefox
• Next Generation Java Plug-in for Mozilla browsers: Installing or Updating Java in Firefox

I just chatted with Zone Alarm. This is the answer I received:

ZA Chat Reply:

At the moment we do not support any version of fire fox above version 5. However we are working on it.

Should I care if the zone alarm browser security is disabled?

You will have protection from the program but will not have any browser tools.

Okay, I guess I'll have to wait until you catch up.

Post on the Zone Alarm Forum and ask for

• the location of the User Manual on the web so that you can read about the toolbar
• also ask what the features of the toolbar are, what the features do, and any risks associated with not using the toolbar until they update the toolbar
• Zone Alarm forum: http://forums.zonelabs.com/index.php

Their tech support is wrong about only being compatible through Firefox 5 according to this: http://forums.zonelabs.com/showthread.php?t=77781&highlight=firefox

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Thanks for your reply Safebrowser,

I'm very familiar with zone alarm, and I'm familiar with the problem of applications being out of synchronization. I know the chat person was actually wrong, but I'm sure he gave me the official line.

I'm running an advanced release version of zone alarm and I have the a browser security update your link to the zone alarm forum mentions.

I've checked into it a little further, and there's more to the zone alarm browser security than the toolbar. it also handles download security checks and file scans.

I would not recommend disabling the zone alarm browser security!

Don't install Firefox 7.0 using the "check for updates," button on the Help>About Firefox window, because I believe it updates immediately.

Wait for Firefox to prompt saying that "an update is available," click on the update button, and wait for the screen showing what extensions/plug-ins Firefox finds incompatible. If it says the "Zone Alarm Browser Security," will be disabled, back out and click on the "Ask Me Later," button.

Firefox 7.0 has gotten a little ahead, or hasn't explored all the consequences of its interaction with other common applications.

It is the responsibility of third-party vendors to keep their products up-to-date. Firefox 7 has been in beta testing for 6 weeks, all vendors know where to find the beta versions and can, if they so choose, to test their products during that time.

Zone Alarm is notoriously late in updating their product. Some other security application vendors have already released updates for Firefox 7 compatibility for their toolbars.

I have been a Zone Alarm user for years, since the time that they only had a free firewall, but this may be my last year using the product. I do NOT use their toolbar, even though parts are installed when you tell the install program to not do so; I have disabled the remainder of the parts that they install into Firefox. If you physically remove those parts on your hard drive, the ZoneAlarm interface indicates an error with a "Fix It" button. CheckPoint spent an inordinate amount of time making their current interface "pretty", with only minor changes to functionality.

The decision to update or not update Firefox is the users.

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More pressure should be applied to Zone Alarm to update there products. When my Extreme subscription ends I will look around for another product!

tony_a20:

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Thanks

I have just downloaded FF this date. 7Mar,12 and as of this late date, Zone Alarm I am informed, is still disabled. Color me very confused. Have had ZA for many years with only a few glitches here and there, and so hate to give it up just because it might not work with FF. But I'd like to keep the Fox too. So what happens now?

I noticed I have one answer. Great. Now where do I look for it cos it isn't in my email. ???

Got and thank you very much

jbility:

Zone Alarm has a "screwy" way of dealing the their toolbar updates under Firefox's "rapid release" program

• The Zone Alarm toolbar is compatible with only one Firefox version at a time since the release of Firefox 4
• There have been 2 versions of Zone Alarm version 10.1.079.000
  • The first Zone Alarm 10.1.079.000 toolbar was compatible only with Firefox 9
  • The current Zone Alarm 10.1.079.000 toolbar is compatible only with Firefox 10
• You must download and install the entire Zone Alarm version to get the compatible toolbar for Firefox 10
• See --> http://forums.zonelabs.com/showpost.php?p=293039&postcount=4
• Also see these threads at the Zone Alarm forum --> http://forums.zonelabs.com/search.php?searchid=3088212

Link to download the current version of Zone Alarm products that have a toolbar compatible only with Firefox 10 (not compatible with Firefox 9 or prior and not compatible with versions of Firefox after/newer than Firefox 10). Be sure that you download the correct Zone Alarm product from the following page.

• http://server.iad.liveperson.net/hc/s-28464961/cmd/kbresource/kb-4759103941969396517/view_question!PAGETYPE?sq=download&sf=101113&sg=0&st=694421&documentid=345310&action=view

Visit the Zone Alarm forum regularly to keep updated on what is happening with Zone Alarm or to inquire about Zone Alarm updates or problems:

• http://forums.zonelabs.com/

Thank you SB. btw, here's what I have now re. ZA. ZoneAlarm Free Firewall version: 10.1.065.000 That's the last update I got from them and that was a headache to install.

It's off topic I know but. You mention the ZA forums. I haven't a clue how the average person who isn't super tech savvy and geek like, manages to work with ZA forums. I tried today after reading this site but before your solution here. What a nightmare. I couldn't believe the hoops that had to be jumped thru, and the number of times I had to enter different emails because apparently they only accept certain kinds of emails. I guess my BT address isn't acceptable there and so managed to write to the webmaster. No reply so far but it doesn't matter. I have pretty good paid support from ESET who are really , really helpful. No offshore tech if ya need them and fast replies. So, I have been thinking of perhaps buying their firewall as well. Anything that come with the kind of support they offer is worth paying for. Cheers and many thanks again for your reply.

Final question SafeBrowser. I noticed that the ZA icon in my system tray says my pc is "protected" even while using FF. How is that possible if FF has it disabled?

Hello jbility,

You have nothing to worry about! I thought I had come back to this thread and provided the answer to my original question.

What is happening is this . Zone alarm has a routine which checks files as they are downloaded using your browser. This is the routine which has been disabled by Firefox. It is not necessary, it's just an added "feature" of zone alarm. This routine is usually about two versions behind Firefox, and never seems to catch up. My advice is to forget about it, it doesn't affect your firewall or the antivirus ability of zone alarm.

This routine appears to be an integral part of the zone alarm toolbar. And my experience has shown that if you are a Firefox user, which of course you should be, you're much better off not using the zone alarm toolbar at all, and if you currently have it installed, you might be better off uninstalling it. The toolbar is just another "feature" of zone alarm and is not needed. You can remove it using Start>control panel>add or remove programs.

Zone alarm is still working in the background protecting your system. Forget about the disabled routine.

Tony

P.S. ZoneAlarm Support can be a pain. My suggestion is to use their "chat" access, which can be quite good if you call late at night, North America time.

The ZA forum which checkpoint software hosts is good to ask other zone alarm users for help, but it is completely ignored by zone alarm support.

Neither of these organizations have much time for users of the free edition. I suggest you buy the version of zone alarm which suits you. I have been using the zone alarm Internet security suite for about seven years now, starting with version 2 I believe, and Firefox for the same amount of time. Other than the problem you are having, and the zone alarm toolbar, I have never had any interaction problems, and both the toolbar the download scan module are rather recent additions, sometime in the last year or two.

good luck

Tony, Really appreciate all that info, and good to know all is well. I was certain, judging by the FF wording, that all was lost re. firewall. Sometimes I think that the folks while well meaning, who write programs, sort of assume that all of us are bright lights whereas some of us are lucky to be flickering bulbs when it comes to things tech. Not since the blue screen of death has anything caused such discomfort as seeing the words, your app is not compatible, flashed on the screen. Maybe Firefox should have added just a few words like, not fully compatible but still safe to use.

Thank you very much.

Never had the ZA toolbar btw.