Firewall Blocking Emoticons?

[Sibze]

My Firewall - Zone Alarm - is blocking me from seeing Emoticons on MSN Messenger. Any ideas on how to fix it?? Zone alarm has this stupid IM Security but I have it off...

Any ideas?

[Philip]

Hi:

This problem has been reported many times in the BBB forums. A temporary band-aid solution is to disable ZA from automatically starting up with Windows. In ZA go to Preferences and uncheck Load Zone Alarm at Startup. Reboot, start WLM first, check to make sure you can see all your emoticons, etc. Then start ZA.

If the problem still persists, you might want to uninstall ZA completely and strongly consider switching to another internet security suite. I am using Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0 with no problems.

[Sibze]

Ya it seems like if you shut down ZA then Restart it its ok... But I wold rather not do that ever time...

[Philip]

I assume you're using a 6.x version of ZA. If you absolutely must have ZA in your system, one suggestion I can offer is to completely uninstall your present version and revert to an earlier version, i.e. the 5.x which, as far as I know, doesn't interfere with WLM's emoticons and display pictures.

You can find and download earlier ZA versions here: Zone Labs: ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite Release History

Let me know if you need further help.

[Dermot]

On zone alarm have you given MSN/Live messenger super access?

Privacy control on zone alarm may block your emoticons also so perhaps try turning that off to see if your emoticons show.

You shouldnt have to downgrade or remove your firewall for it to work, just go through programs control and make sure messenger has full access and not been blocked in anyway.

[Philip]

Dermot,

I beg to differ. I had the same problem viewing WLM's display pics and emoticons with ZA 6.X installed. I tried giving WLM full access, turned off Privacy control, etc. No luck. Disabling ZA miraculously brought back the display pics and emoticons.

Judging by ZA's forums, I don't think this problem has been fixed yet (it has been a long, long time). That is why I've completely abandoned ZA and gone for another internet security suite. I'm much happier now.

[Dermot]

I use Zone alarm professional Security Suite 6

I can see my emoticons and display pics fine.

[Philip]

You are one of the lucky ones...

[astrobit]

Hello...
It seems zonealarm is a little bit b1tchy lately...
Somehow it keeps keeping IMsecure ON even when it says its OFF...

i found a simple tutorial about how to disable IM secure completely..
and it worked for me...
maybe its not safe, but it was driving me crazy...

Heres the link, the instructions are quite clear and simple:

My Home of Messenger - Matt Chan `s Zone Alarm and Windows Live Messenger FIX!

i hope this helps someone. it worked for me.
greetings

[Philip]

Astrobit:

Thanks for the info and the link. However, I won't be testing it out because I've already uninstalled ZA a long time ago, but people who are still using ZA might want to give it a try. I'm using KIS 6 with no problems at all.