ZoneAlarm Settings

Jun 04, 2006 10 Replies

I start Outlook Express. As soon as this application starts, ZoneAlarm Security Alert comes out. Repeat Program 'Do you want Cicero Loader to access or launch other programs?' Application: CTFMON.EXE Action: OpenProcess SmartDefense Advisor is not available for this alertype. Initially there is no check box 'Remember this setting'.



I click 'Deny'. It looks that another but identical pop-up window ZoneAlarm Security Alert (like previous one) shows up except there is check box 'Remember this setting'. Now problem is that alert window will not go away regardless how many times clicking button 'Deny' (or even 'Allow') plus marking that status to 'remember'. That window stays on the screen until I shutdown ZoneAlarm. It is not 'modal' process, which means that you can continue working with Outlook Express, or any other windows application.



My question is how to close that ZoneAlarm Security Alert, without shutting down Zone Alarm. I do not want to remove Cicero Loader (ctfmon.exe) from the operating system, but to set ZoneAlarm to properly handle that windows application.



P.S. While I am typing this letter ZoneAlarm Security Alert is still sitting in the corner of my computer and watching me...



Perhaps you just didn't realize, what your problems really are.

Yours, VB.

If I understand you correctly, I would answer that it is not a virus problem. I am pretty sure there are persons out there who faced this problem already and can provide resolution. ZoneAlarm settings are very much 'black box' for users and the best is, in my opinion, to follow good practices rather than experimenting on your own (could compromise computer security).

Thanks anyway.

Pavel

Yes. It's just the problem, that Zone Alarm (like many "Personal Firewalls") is b0rken by design.

You don't want to remove it, so you will not solve your problems.

Why then not removing Zone Alarm?

Yours, VB.

You could also try switching from windows to OpenBSD and using PF as your firewall. Of course there is a rather steep learning curve.

'remember'.

Click on the link to ZoneLabs User Forums (inside the ZoneAlarm Help file). If you ask your question there, you'll probably get more constructive help. You can also do a search of the forums there.

Good luck. charlie R

The person can barely use ZA and you make a suggestion about switching O/S?

Duane :)

I used to run Windows (with MKS Toolkit too). ZA's warning messages about MS modules trying to call home are what made me switch to OpenBSD. Best thing I've done in years. Now running in text mode only because of the big security hole opened up by giving video cards access to main memory (google loic duflot).

You can turn it off on some PFW's

I have never had a problem and I don't run PFW(s) on my network. However, I do use one on this machine while sitting in this hotel room, as I got no choice. But the App Control is disabled, which I did long ago.

Duane :)

Set trusted level for that app. to super (OS "firewall"), and check Allow application interaction option in options tab for that app. But note that ctfmon.exe is also a process name of some malware, ctfmon.exe should be located in %system% folder (system32 if you running WindowsXP).

If that don't work, try to reinstall ZA (clean install), if that fail think about turning off application control until you find solution. There are other personal firewalls too.

If you want to turn of application control, just set the program control to off.

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