Anyone having problems with Firefox

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:25 am

Last night I got some auto-update popup window come up and automatically update my firefox browser. Ever since I have been unable to connect to the internet with Firefox.

I've even tried uninstalling and putting in a fresh install and still no luck.

Any clue?

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:33 am

I got the update last night as well, but did not restart it. I am getting the update as we speak(type) now at work.. Will restart it when done.

I assume IE is working for you?

Go look at your proxy settings in FF.

Tools->options->Connection Settions

In there make sure direct connect is selected.

BD

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:39 am

I got the update, downloaded it and restarted without a problem, so I'm stumped as to your problem.

Hope you can work it out!

Take care,
PK

devilsjaw · Post by **devilsjaw** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:08 pm

If you have a firewall running, make sure it is allowing access for Firefox. I had a warning come up after I restarted Firefox, and had to re-grant access to get online.

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 1:59 pm

that was it. Zone Alarm (which wasn't active in the systray) wasn't allowing it to connect. Once I restarted zone alarm is prompted me to allow firefox and all was well.

Thx

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:22 pm

I didn't know people still used those crappy software firewalls that cause more problems than they are worth if you're behind a router. Hmm...learn something new every day I guess.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:36 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:I didn't know people still used those crappy software firewalls that cause more problems than they are worth if you're behind a router. Hmm...learn something new every day I guess.

They're not crappy if you're an active file-sharer. Software firewalls work a lot better than the Windows Firewall in terms of transfer speeds, access, etc. Windows Firewall doesn't like P2P.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 2:57 pm

I use the McAfee firewall and have the Windows XP SP2 firewall turned off, but I don't have a router. McAfee anti-virus comes free with Comcast cable internet, which is very nice.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:09 pm

pk500 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:I didn't know people still used those crappy software firewalls that cause more problems than they are worth if you're behind a router. Hmm...learn something new every day I guess.
They're not crappy if you're an active file-sharer. Software firewalls work a lot better than the Windows Firewall in terms of transfer speeds, access, etc. Windows Firewall doesn't like P2P.

Take care,
PK

Well keep in mind, I don't use P2P servers to obtain...and the Windows Firewall is 10x worse than the software firewalls you guys speak of. As long as you're behind a router, you're going to be fine. No software firewall will give you more security than that. It's a mental thing for most people. Firewalls = security for most. That's fine...whatever makes you guys feel safe. Just keep in mind that most of those things aren't doing much if you're sitting behind a router. Now, if you're just connected directly to the internet through your modem, then they have their place and they are pretty effective. But like I said, that's not how most people have their networks set up.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:26 pm

You're assuming that most people have networks set up at home. I would say the average home Internet user simply has an Ethernet cable running to a modem. I can count at least 10 friends and family who have broadband and no need for a router. I'm the only one with one. So there's a 10:1 ratio right there.

I disconnect from my router when using P2P, as speeds are faster and I don't have to f*ck with port forwarding, certain private trackers balking at firewalls and all of that sh*t. I feel safe enough with software firewalls and two different IP blockers running in the background. Nothing is perfect, but it's better than going unprotected.

And I find it a pain in the ass to configure a router to allow P2P to occur while also shutting out the "bad guys." I don't have the time or skill for that.

So software firewalls do have their place for us technological Luddites who act as stunt doubles for "Pirates of the Caribbean" during their spare time.

Take care,
PK

bdunn13 · Post by **bdunn13** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 3:59 pm

"I would say the average home Internet user simply has an Ethernet cable running to a router. "

PK, you mean DSL modem or cable modem and not router right?

The software firewalls are good for monitoring whats going out of your system ect. However, I would not use them for blocking stuff coming in.

Likewise, hook an unpatched windows computer up to the internet without some sort of firewall these days and you can be certain you will be 0wn3d in minutes.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 4:01 pm

bdunn13 wrote:"I would say the average home Internet user simply has an Ethernet cable running to a router. "

PK, you mean DSL modem or cable modem and not router right?

Yes, I meant modem.

I told you I was a technological dolt!

Thanks for the correction. I'll edit the post now!

Take care,
PK