Linksys Integrating Home Network Defender into Routers

Paul Lilly — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:45:48 -0600

Safe surfing remains the best defense against internet-borne attacks, but it won't provide you that warm fuzzy feeling that an additional layer of protection offers should you slip up. And if you share your PC, your safe computing regime goes straight out the window if your roommate wanders haphazardly across the web.

In an attempt to beef up security, Linksys announced it is teaming up with Trend Micro to integrate the latter's Home Network Defender internet security software into its routers to help block malicious sites from doing harm. Previously offered as a software application, Home Network Defender will be integrated with the Linksys WRT310N and WRT610N routers, offering protection to any computers connected to the network.

The software integration is meant to deny access to sites it deems unsafe with user-adjustable sensitivity controls, as well as embed parental controls and user-activity reporting into the above mentioned routers. What it won't do is offer anti-virus protection, however Linksys says that four licenses of Trend Micro Antivirus plus AntiSpyware will come included as part of the deal.

Existing WRT310N and WRT610N have the option of upgrading their router's firmware for the new software integration, which will carry a 30-day complimentary trial. After that, the service runs $60/year.

Patch Tuesday Update Breaks ZoneAlarm on Windows XP - Updated!

Mark Edward Soper — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:59:03 -0500

ZoneAlarm+KB951748 = Broken Internet Access

From The Inquirer to DSLReports to our own readers, it seems like everyone's talking about the catastrophic combination of current ZoneAlarm products and Microsoft's KB951748 update for Windows XP from this month's Patch Tuesday. The update (MS08-037), ironically enough, is supposed to improve security for the DNS function of Windows. However, when you combine it with the ZoneAlarm firewall (ZoneAlarm Free, ZoneAlarm Pro, ZoneAlarm AntiVirus, ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware, or ZoneAlarm Security Suite), you lose ~~all~~ most network/Internet functionality (update: you might be able to ping servers, but you cannot connect to websites).

Solutions Workarounds

In the meantime, what should you do? ZoneAlarm recommends one of the following three options:

Adjust the Internet Zone security slider to Medium
Uninstall KB951748
Add your DNS servers to the Trusted Zone

For complete details, see the ZoneAlarm press release. No word yet about an updated version of the security patch from Redmond.

Now, Solutions from ZA (updated 10:25PM CDT July 9, 2008)

The ZoneAlarm press release now contains links to updated versions of ZoneAlarm products that will solve this problem. Thanks to reader Block_Dude for providing the heads-up, and to all commentors for your feedback and suggestions.

If you have friends or business associates with this problem, do them a favor and give them the word - after all, until they can solve the problem, they can't even find out why it happened!

Be sure to tell us if you've been affected, and if you have any other suggestions.

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Linksys Integrating Home Network Defender into Routers

Patch Tuesday Update Breaks ZoneAlarm on Windows XP - Updated!

ZoneAlarm+KB951748 = Broken Internet Access

Solutions Workarounds

Now, Solutions from ZA (updated 10:25PM CDT July 9, 2008)