Zone Alarm Pro recently put out a patch update for a not-too-nice problem and is now up to version 4.5.538.001.
For a couple of versions up until this update, it appeared their stupid little trick was gone but wait for it, customers, IT'S BAAAACK! What is the problem you ask? Zone Alarm Pro has this little feature called "Automatic Lock". When you activate it WHEN it is working correctly, after a set amount of time (set by user or default of 10 minutes if not set by user) of keyboard/mouse inactivity while connected to Internet, it cuts in and lets only previously "ALLOWED" (by user) programs to work on the net, cutting all other programs' access. Unfortunately "Automatic Lock" used to cut access to everything, including your lan, when activated, once upon a time but this was fixed a few versions ago. More unfortunately, it is partially back again. After the preset amount of inactivity, whether Automatic Lock is set on or off, it cuts off program access to the net though at least does NOT cut you off from your lan this time around. Workaround: set the period of inactivity to 999 minutes or go and allow every program to work through the lock. The latter option takes the most time of course. Let's hope they fix this one - AGAIN! Greg. _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html