looks like I somehow managed to mess up my internet

[Prosthetic_mind]

For some reason my internet isn't working- my computer runs Windows XP- I use dialup, and can dial in just fine, but once I connect, I can't get my computer to do almost anything- my instant messagers don't work, and neither do websites or IRC, but for some reason I can ping things just fine. Any ideas on what could be wrong?

[mjc]

Are you running Zone Alarm?

Have you done any recent XP updates?

[Sylvander]

There are lots of people having problems connecting to the internet if...
1. They have just installed KB951748.
2. They are running the version of Zonealarm prior to 7.0.483.00

Zonealarm rushed out a fix within 24 hours and made this latest fixed version 7.0.483.00 available here (http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html).

You can get access to the internet to download that by:
a. Uninstalling the Windows update KB951748.
Or.
b. Open the Zonealarm Control Center, go to Firewall->Internet Zone Security, and set the slider to medium.

Once you install the latest version [7.0.483.00] of Zonealarm the Windows update will cease to cause any problem.

[Prosthetic_mind]

I have been running zone alarm, and now that I think about it I did just install an update for XP

[Prosthetic_mind]

ok, thanks, let me try that.

[Prosthetic_mind]

Yeah, that fixes the problem, thanks a lot for the speedy solution. You guys are good.

[Mini-Me]

Yep, something in that MS hotfix that seems to annoy ZA.
I have fixed about 6 computers so far this week, whose internet just decided to stop working from one day to the next after this hotfix was automatically downloaded and installed by Automatic Updates.
:(

Does anyone know what the KB951748 hotfix actually is or what it is supposed to be fixing?

[Sylvander]

Security Update for Windows XP (KB951748)
A security issue has been identified that could allow a remote attacker to misrepresent a system action or behavior unbeknownst to users on Microsoft Windows systems. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=ed989a33-7a9e-4423-93a8-b38907467cdf&displaylang=en)

[PrntRhd]

It is a DNS fix, really needed to be done.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS08-037.mspx

[Mini-Me]

Okey dokey.
:)