No problems here

I'm running FF3 on Vista HP 32 and 64 bit and the latest MS updates have done nothing to disrupt my viewing pleasure.

Microsoft anti-malware does not remove firefox 3

im updated my vista last night. im typing this comment on the new firefox 3. everything is fine as a dandy. So i guess must be some freak accident or osmething else

wrong

No, it's the security patch. The guy is probably using zonealarm, the new patch messes it up, and makes it decide to block all access to the internet.

FUD

Nothing like that happened here with FF3 & the always-hated Vista Ultimate x64. Wouldn't surprise me if the user actually was infected with a trojan/virus that had affected Firefox3 somehow. Or it's just pure FUD.

Hmm...

Everything pefectly ok here, on two computers.

A great idea!

Even though this latest anticompetitive transgression of Microsoft sounds bad (as usual), it does bring to mind a potential fix for the malware issue that plagues only Microsoft software:

Given that some excellent antivirus companies (like Avast) distribute their software free, AND since Ubuntu/Kubuntu is also free, why can't they just bundle *buntu with Avast? During the scanning process, the customer could be given an option to *PERMANENTLY prevent further virus problems, while improving the efficiency and ease of use of their computer*.

If they answer YES, then Avast first scans, then runs a script that partitions the drive, transfers their data into *buntu, while formatting and wiping off all the virus-plagued Microsoft software from their hard drive.

Homeland Security would love this, as it would do wonders to reduce the botnets currently running on Microsoft-infected machines.

Odd, I use Firefox 3.0 and had nodifficulty with the 2 recent patches

I am running XP Pro SP3 and I downloaded the 2 updates yesterday including the July Malware Removal Tool. Firefox 3.0 is my primary web browser and I haven't noticed any problems. So far, it's working just fine on my PC.

The Inq

...now the "Fox News" of tech reporting sites.

Fair and balanced; only reporting from the most reliable of sources.

*sigh*

Journalism...

..The style of writing characteristic of material in newspapers and magazines, consisting of direct presentation of facts or occurrences with little attempt at analysis or interpretation.


or in the Inq's case print any old crap and don't bother to verify it.

"We aren't able to check this report because we don't run Windows, or any other Microsoft software for that matter"

I am assuming that no one else you know runs microsoft products, I mean it's not as if they have a marginal market share is it?

Please VNU invest in some basic training for your new monkeys before we get a 2nd bible.

We have 60 machines here all running updates from WSUS and Fox3, no issues and everyone working fine.

Unlucky

FF3 woking fine for me in Vista x64 and XP x86 as of last night...

Yep

I had this too - the update broke Firefox 3, Opera, and MSN Live messenger too.

A system restore fixed it, and when I applied the patch again, all was good.

No problems at all

Your source is just wrong. I've had no problems at all with FF3 after the MS updates.

It sounds like the ZoneAlarm problem?

The security update was the problem (I think). All PCs in this office use Opera and Firefox and we had the same problem. What we also use one theses machines is ZoneAlarm which is where public internet traffic is routed to give us a static IP for support purposes. Zone Alarm was the stopping internet access!

Here is the news from Extremetech.com:
"A number of consumers running Check Point's ZoneAlarm security software on Windows XP lost Internet connectivity Tuesday night after Microsoft released a patch for a potentially dangerous DNS flaw.

The problem only affected ZoneAlarm customers who had their security settings on "high," according to a Check Point spokeswoman. Those with "medium" or "low" settings did not lose Internet service.

Check Point offered two possible solutions, including temporarily uninstalling the patch or setting firewall setting to "medium." Check Point said it will soon issue a ZoneAlarm update with a permanent solution. The company also posted a more detailed workaround online.

Microsoft released the update, known as KB951748, after Dan Kaminsky of IOActive and Paul Vixie of Internet Systems Consortium notified the Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) of a basic flaw in the DNS standard that could lead to cache poisoning, and allows attackers to redirect Internet requests to wherever they want, including sites that engage in phishing or malware distribution.

In addition to Microsoft, the list of Internet system vendors affected by the flaw includes Apple, AT&T, Cisco, D-Link, IBM, and Intel."

OK, what they don't say is "how to fix this issue" so, do either of the following:

1) Uninstall Update KB951748 through add/remove programs.

2) In ZoneAlarm settings -> Firewall -> Zones: set internet security from High to Medium

Apparently, ZoneAlarm are working with Microsoft on a fix so keep an eye out.

..hope this helps.

Dave (Ultie-Hater) The Rave

Nah, we wish....

No. it was all FUD. Malicous software removal thingy for this month did what always does (which is aparently nothing every month). Firefox 3 is still strong here.
Honestly, i was hoping that firefox was removed. it would have been a great episode in the IT soap opera!

Remove Firefox Nah !

It's the DNS security update KB951748 Which is taking out your internet connectivity. Uninstall it.

Firefox 3 Still Here

I am using Vista Home Premium and Firefox 3. I just installed these Windows updates and Firefox 3 is still here and working fine.

Seemed to break Zone Alarm

I also lost connection to the internet after installing the latest Malicious Software Removal Tool, but for IE7 as well as Firefox 3. Quitting Zone Alarm brought the connection back. Now I can either run Zone Alarm or have an internet connection. Windows Firewall for me then...

False report ?

Could it be that the second update was KB951748 and he is using ZoneAlarm? Because there is a problem with this combination, resulting in loosing the internet connection.

BullSh*t

I call BullSh*t on this one guys, I got that update as well and my FireFox 3 never got touched. This sounds like more evilly wishful thinking by haters.

Microshaft is no longer dumb enough to do something that blatantly obvious, it would end their company.

disconnected journalism

doh!!

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/microsoft-update-kills

Total BS

I'm calling bullshit on this. I just installed the latest malicious software update from M$ and Firefox 3 is working just fine on my laptop with Vista SP1 on it. Maybe it's one of the other updates that M$ is pushing out that gave the person reporting this a problem.

OMG Rumors from the insane...

#1. Please find an editor that will fact check crap like 'Windows 95 wouldn't permit users to run DR-DOS instead of MS-DOS.'

This is wrong on so many levels it is scary. Here is a hint, you might as well of typed this: Linux doesn't let users use DR-DOS

-Sounds stupid uh?


#2 Firefox isn't removed, just confirmed this on several hundred installations.

Sounds like some idiot users had a virus that had Firefox infected.

The only way the MS utility would touch or 'modify' any file would be to 'REMOVE MALICIOUS SOFTWARE'. Which is what the freaking utility does.

You sure?

Dont suppose you use ZoneAlarm do you? Theres a known issue with KB951748 that conflicts with ZA. Turn your "Internet Zone" security to "Medium".

fine here

Have installed all updates including MSRT and it left my firefox3 (and its fine collection of extensions) well alone. Currently fine on 3 machines, vista ultimate64, vista homepremium64 and plain old xp sp3.

But if you want to check, run the MRT.exe again (probably in %WINDIR%\system32) and see for yourself.

Jumping the gun a little here perhaps ?

oh...

and by the way - "no internet" and "yesterdays patches" are well documented, if you're a ZoneAlarm user....

No, it doesn't

Installed updates with no problems to Firefox 3. The user probably has ZoneAlarm installed. Latest updates do kill ZoneAlarm and make the internet inaccessible.

firefox

installeed now on vista 64
firefox still alive
everything working fine

Rubbish...

I just installed the same update and nothing happens to FF3.
But FF3 has a nasty habbit, by default is has security settings that check phishing and stuff, but what they don't tell you is that they check with google!
So google can check your every move on Internet.
I have turned these settings OFF.

BULLSHIT

BULLSHIT

Is it Firefox or is it ZoneAlarm

One of the Microsoft updates is reported to affect ZoneAlarm's ability to access the Internet. So if the user had ZoneAlarm as a firewall, perhaps that is the problem and not Firefox "removal."

And what software do yuou use...

How can you comment on pc stuff without using it? It does not make any sense, please keep writing about what you use.

Opera isn't affected

Opera isn't affected :D

And yes I am a smug git.

KB951748

Sounds like a clash with the DNS flaw bugfix.

FUD anyone?

Nope, hasn't been a problem here on multiple computers

Not true

Just installed MSRT from MSFT update site (the latest).
It didn't do anything to my Firefox 3... So what happens with that reader's PC is not related with Microsoft.

Pay attention

Correction, the update removes a huge hole in the DNS system, it's freaking zonealarm that then removes the internet connection because it detects a state it didn't know of before.
IT IS A ZONEALARM FAILURE NOT A MS ONE WHEN INTERNET GOES, when will you 'journalists' get that already? how often do half of you have to report it before the other half catches on?

Just Standby

If a patch can do what KB951748 did so easily, what's to stop a patch from doing exactly what this article postulates? Nothing.

I'm not saying intentionally wreck a program (which btw IS within the realm of possibility) just do the unexpected and unplanned and really take out a browser or word processor or whatever.

Standby guys, if something is possible in the computer world, history shows sooner or later it gets done.

And remember, you read it here first.

author is a moron

You guys call this a news ? While even what you write says clearly that the bloke did not have internet acces and NOT that firefox was deleted . And how can you post something ending with the moronic statement that you cannot even verify becaouse you are lacking the piece of software that 99% of the world is using.

You morons are the tabloid of IT. 75% of what you write is either total bullshit or pure fiction.

know the problem

I encountered the same problem after receiving the latest updates.

There is a simple but not satisfying solution.
In my case Zonealarm (firewall) didn`t work any more. It simply blocked every connection, so i had to uninstall it.

Now everything is working fine and I can say its not a Firefox problem.

Damn, I'm not alone!!!...

...Same frickin' thing has been borking my laptop and I had no #@!&* idea what the problem was. At one point I even had ISP techs come out and check the ADSL line. Finally, after restoring the system for the third time I came to the same conclusion and unchecked that bastard update.

Thanks Microsuck!!!! Again you don't beta test and again we suffer for your incompetence? Effing morons!

Wow!!! A startling realization...Drashek probably works for them!

Sheesh!!!!

Yup

Both my XP computers (completely different set-ups and vintages) lost all internet connectivity after the latest updates. I had to resort to System Restore.

Yet another balls-up from M$.

zone alarm

If you have zone alarm on your PC, your web browsers will not display webpages after the windows security patch is installed. The temp fix is to set the internet security slider in zone alarm to medium.

Similar result

The exact same thing happened to me - right after updating and the resulting system reboot - no internet access. I use Firefox as my default browser as well. Checked my router and wireless connection and tried everything I could think of. Still nothing.

Just on a whim I shut down Zonealarm (I use the free version as my firewall) and full connectivity was restored. I restarted ZA and once again, no net access. Turned it off again and and got back on. So I don't think it's Firefox, it might be whatever software firewall is in place on the user's system.

Still, whatever MS's "security update" did that time certainly seems a bit screwy.

They broke Zone Alarm

Yeah what the XP security patch did was mess around with Zone Alarms internet settings. IF you had your software firewall set to HIGH security you couldn't get into the net. Once you stepped down to medium your net access returned. It happened to my Win XP sp3 system. The gang over at Zone Alarm had several fixes the next day or so. Once you updated ZA everything is back to good ol' abby-normal for our MS computers.

Till next time on the same MSchannel and same MStime.


:P

Why?

If you don't "don't run Windows, or any other Microsoft software for that matter." then what is the point of you writing an article about it?

?? It works.

Unfortunately I am still forced to run windows on one of my PCs - My work laptop. That's another story though.

I also recieved this update and it did NOT remove firefox3, I did not lose anything (mainly because I don't have any malicious software on the PC.

It's quite possible the reader had a browser hijacker or some other a**ware associated with firefox and that is why it was removed.

If only...

I support Linux 100% but I feel that people should make an objective decision for themselves after reading http://www.promotinglinux.com/truth/

Rename

Bet if you just rename the executable to Firebadger.exe, it won't get borked.

Any takers? Winners will receive a free copy of Navigator 2.0.

me tooooooooo

will apparently I have the same problem. Now how do I fix it?

No problems here

I installed that update, and am using Firefox 3, have no problems here. I downloaded the updates manually as soon as they were available. Then again, I'm running Vista x64 which may be immune to this 'bug'.

ZA has a fix...get it

" will apparently I have the same problem. Now how do I fix it?"

Go to ZoneAlarm.com they have several fixes depending on what software package you have.

I had the break down but I'm much better now....

:P

Okay for me

Vista x64 here, and I have no issues with Firefox 3 + update.

Slow news day?

I guess bashing Intel and NVidia gets old. Microsoft, NVidia and Intel are all worth bashing, of course, but it is better when you confine it to times when they actually are in the wrong.

This is one time when Vista actually didn't suck for me, I guess I need to mark it on the calendar :)

Affecting other firewall progs, not just Zone

I've been having the same problems since the patch was released. I don't have Zone, but use Comodo 2.x. I haven't seen if Comodo 3.x users are being affected. Now gonna get some fragging if the Sys Restore works out. Do not install this update!

Firewall

I read about the Zonealarm problem after resetting my modem and router and then trying another computer that hadn't been updated. No one mentioned the easiest solution that I used. Turn off Zonealarm and use the Windows XP firewall, it worked fine. Zonealarm has a fix available now but I haven't tried it yet.

Just delete this article already

All you're doing by leaving it up is pointing out how much of a biased moron Egan Orion is. Hmm, in that case, leave it up forever...

I miss the old Inquirer where they were biased against everyone in a humorous way, not unilaterally biased in a Fox News on steroids kind of way.

Yup, ZA

Happened to me, too, and I have FF2. Happened to me twice before I realized what was going on, had to use system restore to fix it. Recent article here states There's an updated ZA out that fixes it, and well, yes, it fixed it for lack of better terminology Using it now.

Probably Firewall Related

I read this artcle just as the update finished on my XP laptop. It was asking me to reset; later I did and my network connection was blocked. I have zone alarm so that might have something to do with it. I went to cntrl panel and took off the updates for today. All I have to say is that they really should test these updates with systems that have a firwall other than their own limited one.

Office patch kills internet

I was talking to my tech support coworker because he just fixed this problem for 3 people that he had himself- from what I understand, it was a patch for Office that somehow killed his internet connection and he had to remove it to restore the connection.

by remove it, he may have meant a roll back. Dunno for sure, this is second hand and I could be wrong.

no problems

Firefox 3 and Vista x64, applied updates and no problems whatsoever at all.