Updates, security and the Explorer 7

I'm running a Norton 2009 firewall and have disabled the Windows firewall
because I may not need it and it slows my PC down with the both of them
running. Is this the right thing to do?

This does mean I'm not getting any updates, which have bits for various
things on the net like Flash I believe. I view of this, should I re-enable?

Also, I tried to install Explorer 7 but shut down my PC after it didn't
appear to be doing anything other than scanning and saying it was installing.
Should I have been connected to the net even though I was told to shut down
all open programs?

Is Explorer 5 safe to use?

Appreciate help,

Vince

A1. Yes, one firewall enabled, please.

A2. I'd doubt that the Norton Firewall has anything to do with updates for
"various things on the net like Flash". (You can update Flash manually.)
If you're not getting any Windows Updates, please say so.

A3. Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP1) when
posting to this newsgroup, please. IE5.x is only supported in Windows 2002
SP4 (where it comes preinstalled).

If you're running Vista, IE7 is already installed.

If you're running WinXP SP2 or SP3, keep reading.

Required reading IMHO before installing IE7:

Sandi's Installation Tips <= Steps #1-8, #10 & #11; take note of #12, then
STOP!
http://www.ie-vista.com/known_issues.html#pre-install
(ignore any references to Vista)

And I strongly recommend using
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow.../getitnow.mspx as the
installation source, not Automatic/Windows Update.

Alternately, use this Direct Download link:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...0-081805b2f90b

Tip: Save the installer to your desktop, do not Run it.

Make *certain* that you check in at Windows Update immediately after
installing IE7 and install any critical updates offered. If Optional
Updates category offers Root Certificates update, I recommend installing it
to take full advantage of IE7's additional security.

IEBlog : IE7 Installation and Anti-Malware Applications
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/200...lications.aspx

What's New in Internet Explorer 7
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms649487.aspx

Release Notes
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/aa740486.aspx

IEBlog: IE and Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/200...and-xpsp3.aspx
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

VinceUK wrote:
> I'm running a Norton 2009 firewall and have disabled the Windows firewall
> because I may not need it and it slows my PC down with the both of them
> running. Is this the right thing to do?
>
> This does mean I'm not getting any updates, which have bits for various
> things on the net like Flash I believe. I view of this, should I
> re-enable?
>
> Also, I tried to install Explorer 7 but shut down my PC after it didn't
> appear to be doing anything other than scanning and saying it was
> installing. Should I have been connected to the net even though I was told
> to shut down all open programs?
>
> Is Explorer 5 safe to use?
>
> Appreciate help,
>
> Vince

You should never have two software files running at the same time. This
actually weakens your security. I don't know about Norton-brand software
specifically, but any reputable third-party firewall should turn off
Windows Firewall when it finishes installing - you should not have to
turn off Windows Firewall yourself.

Why do you think you won't get software updates from Microsoft Update
(or from your other software)? A firewall does not prevent updates,
unless you tell the firewall to block access to Windows Update.

Internet Explorer 5 - besides being seriously behind the times,
feature-wise - is a definite security risk since it has not been updated
in years.

Before installing IE 7 you need to carefully follow the procedures
described here:

http://www.ie-vista.com/known_issues.html#pre-install.

If you did not follow these instructions you may have a damaged or
incomplete installation. Uninstall IE 7 by following these directions:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927177
....and...
http://www.ie-vista.com/kbase2.html

then follow the procedures described above and re-install IE 7. Tip:
Download the IE 7 installer directly from Microsoft and install from
your hard disk:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow.../getitnow.mspx

---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

VinceUK wrote:
> I'm running a Norton 2009 firewall and have disabled the Windows firewall
> because I may not need it and it slows my PC down with the both of them
> running. Is this the right thing to do?
>
> This does mean I'm not getting any updates, which have bits for various
> things on the net like Flash I believe. I view of this, should I re-enable?
>
> Also, I tried to install Explorer 7 but shut down my PC after it didn't
> appear to be doing anything other than scanning and saying it was installing.
> Should I have been connected to the net even though I was told to shut down
> all open programs?
>
> Is Explorer 5 safe to use?
>
> Appreciate help,
>
> Vince

Replies online..
"VinceUK" <VinceUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B28F8906-1BB5-4377-824B-EB054745A3AB@microsoft.com...
> I'm running a Norton 2009 firewall and have disabled the Windows firewall
> because I may not need it and it slows my PC down with the both of them
> running. Is this the right thing to do?
Yes. One firewall running at a time is an ample supply.
>
> This does mean I'm not getting any updates, which have bits for various
> things on the net like Flash I believe. I view of this, should I
> re-enable?
Having two firewalls going may affect a lot of processes. No, one firewall
is all you need.
>
> Also, I tried to install Explorer 7 but shut down my PC after it didn't
> appear to be doing anything other than scanning and saying it was
> installing.
> Should I have been connected to the net even though I was told to shut
> down
> all open programs?
The message does not mean that you should shut down network access.
>
> Is Explorer 5 safe to use?
When Explorer 5 was the latest and greatest, I was using Netscape. Thus, I
can't say.
>
> Appreciate help,
>
> Vince
Jim

How else would you reply, Jim? <eg>

Jim wrote:
> Replies online..
<snip>

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:uAbLBZXOJHA.1896@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> How else would you reply, Jim? <eg>
>
> Jim wrote:
>> Replies online..
> <snip>

That is a very good question... It should have been "inline". Just another
reply late at night...
Jim

Thanks everyone, can't thank you enough. I reinstalled like you said and it
seems to be working perfectly now. Only thing I don't like-I got used to
those old icons and I miss them

I'm sure the added security and better viewing of movies will make up for it.

Does E7 come with the latest Flash or do I have to find it. And if not,
which version is for Windows?

"Jim" wrote:

> Replies online..
> "VinceUK" <VinceUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B28F8906-1BB5-4377-824B-EB054745A3AB@microsoft.com...
> > I'm running a Norton 2009 firewall and have disabled the Windows firewall
> > because I may not need it and it slows my PC down with the both of them
> > running. Is this the right thing to do?
> Yes. One firewall running at a time is an ample supply.
> >
> > This does mean I'm not getting any updates, which have bits for various
> > things on the net like Flash I believe. I view of this, should I
> > re-enable?
> Having two firewalls going may affect a lot of processes. No, one firewall
> is all you need.
> >
> > Also, I tried to install Explorer 7 but shut down my PC after it didn't
> > appear to be doing anything other than scanning and saying it was
> > installing.
> > Should I have been connected to the net even though I was told to shut
> > down
> > all open programs?
> The message does not mean that you should shut down network access.
> >
> > Is Explorer 5 safe to use?
> When Explorer 5 was the latest and greatest, I was using Netscape. Thus, I
> can't say.
> >
> > Appreciate help,
> >
> > Vince
> Jim
>
>
>

No version of IE (or Windows, these days) includes Flash. You should find
some helpful references in this discussion:
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=27892
--
~PA Bear

VinceUK wrote:
> Thanks everyone, can't thank you enough. I reinstalled like you said and
> it
> seems to be working perfectly now. Only thing I don't like-I got used to
> those old icons and I miss them
>
> I'm sure the added security and better viewing of movies will make up for
> it.
>
> Does E7 come with the latest Flash or do I have to find it. And if not,
> which version is for Windows?
>
> "Jim" wrote:
>
>> Replies online..
>> "VinceUK" <VinceUK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:B28F8906-1BB5-4377-824B-EB054745A3AB@microsoft.com...
>>> I'm running a Norton 2009 firewall and have disabled the Windows
>>> firewall
>>> because I may not need it and it slows my PC down with the both of them
>>> running. Is this the right thing to do?
>> Yes. One firewall running at a time is an ample supply.
>>>
>>> This does mean I'm not getting any updates, which have bits for various
>>> things on the net like Flash I believe. I view of this, should I
>>> re-enable?
>> Having two firewalls going may affect a lot of processes. No, one
>> firewall is all you need.
>>>
>>> Also, I tried to install Explorer 7 but shut down my PC after it didn't
>>> appear to be doing anything other than scanning and saying it was
>>> installing.
>>> Should I have been connected to the net even though I was told to shut
>>> down
>>> all open programs?
>> The message does not mean that you should shut down network access.
>>>
>>> Is Explorer 5 safe to use?
>> When Explorer 5 was the latest and greatest, I was using Netscape. Thus,
>> I
>> can't say.
>>>
>>> Appreciate help,
>>>
>>> Vince
>> Jim