Changing your Firewall settings

There are different ways to do this based on your firewall software. Choose your firewall program from the list below for specific steps.

Windows XP Firewall

Windows XP SP2 Operating System comes with an inbuilt firewall program, that can restrict access to certain programs from accessing the Internet. If you are experiencing problems connecting to Internet while using NetZero, please follow the steps below:

Configuring Windows XP SP2 firewall for NetZero.

1. Click 'Start'
2. Click 'Control Panel'
   [Note: If you are using the Category view, click on Security Center to find Windows Firewall]
3. Double-click 'Windows Firewall'
4. From 'Exceptions...' tab, click 'Add Program...'
5. Select 'NetZero'
6. Click 'OK'

Please restart the computer for these changes to take affect.

Windows Vista Firewall

The Windows Vista Operating System comes with a built-in firewall that can prevent certain programs from accessing the Internet. If you are experiencing problems connecting to Internet while using NetZero, please follow the steps below:

Configuring Windows Vista firewall for NetZero.

1. Click the Windows Start button and select Control Panel.
2. Click Security.
3. Double-click the Windows Firewall icon.
4. Click Change settings.
5. Click the Exceptions tab.
6. Click Add Program.
7. Select NetZero Internet and click OK.
8. Click OK to exit Windows firewall.
9. Try connecting to NetZero.

Please restart the computer for these changes to take affect.

Black Ice Defender

Black Ice Defender uses an Application Protection feature that asks you whether you want to run certain programs before they are launched. In order to successfully connect to NetZero, you will need to make sure that Black Ice Defender allows all the critical NetZero programs to continue running.

When you try running NetZero HiSpeed for the first time after installing Black Ice Defender, a window will appear, stating

Communication Protection -
'exec.exe is attempting to access the Network.' or 'Zcast.exe is attempting to access the Network.' or 'x1exec.exe is attempting to access the Network.'

If you are having trouble getting online, you may have told Black Ice Defender to 'Terminate' a program critical to running NetZero. If you clicked 'Terminate Always' then the application will terminate every time unless you override the setting.

To allow the terminated program to run again:

1. Start the Black Ice Defender program.
2. Select Tools then Advanced Application Protection Settings
3. Locate exec.exe or x1exec.exe
4. Under Communications Control change the setting from Terminate to a blank space
5. Click Save Changes
6. Click OK
7. Click the red X at the top of the screen to close the window
8. Click Close

Freedom Personal Firewall

If you have Freedom Personal Firewall, you must make sure that the program will allow NetZero to connect to the Internet.

When you log on to NetZero HiSpeed for the first time with Freedom Personal Firewall installed, it will say:

Freedom Personal Firewall Event
'Do you want to let x1exec connect to the Internet?' or 'Do you want to let Zcast connect to the Internet?' or 'Do you want to let exec connect to the Internet?'

Make sure to Allow this, and click the checkbox next to Don't ask again (remember) so you don't have to approve it every time.

If you accidentally set exec, x1exec or Zcast to Block, you will not be able to get online. If you clicked the checkbox next to Don't ask again when you blocked exec, x1exec or Zcast, you will have to unblock it from within the Freedom Personal Firewall program in order to get online.

To unblock exec, x1exec and Zcast:

1. Double-click on the Freedom Personal Firewall icon in your system tray, located in the lower-right hand corner of the screen.
2. Select Personal Firewall on the left.
3. Click on Internet Access Rules.
4. Look for 'x1exec' on the programs list. In the Connect to the Internet column, click the checkmark next to the red X. This will turn the checkmark green.
5. Repeat the procedure for 'Zcast' and 'exec.'
6. Click OK.
7. Click the X in the upper-right hand corner of the window to close Freedom Personal Firewall.

McAfee Security Firewall

When configured to its default settings, McAfee Firewall should work correctly with the NetZero Software. You will just need to make sure that the program will allow NetZero to connect to the Internet.

When you log on to NetZero HiSpeed for the first time with McAfee Firewall installed, the program will state:

McAfee Firewall Communication Alert
A Program has tried to access the Internet
Name: x1exec v3, 0, 1, 0
Path: C:\Program Files\NetZero\x1exec.exe
Do you want to allow this program to access the Internet?

Or

Or

If you accidentally select 'No, deny this time', you will not be able to get online. If you checked: 'I recognize this program. In the future do not alert me', you will have to unblock 'exec', 'x1exec' and 'Zcast' from within the McAfee Firewall program in order to get online.

To unblock exec, x1exec and Zcast:

1. Open the McAfee Security Firewall program
2. Click Control Internet Programs
3. Click Add
4. Locate 'Zcast', from the directory
   Note: Normal path for Zcast is: C:\Program Files\NetZero\Zcast
5. Click Open
6. Click the circle next to Allow this program to have full, unfiltered access to the Internet
7. Click Apply
8. Repeat these steps for 'x1exec' and 'exec' if applicable
   Note:Normal path for x1exec is: C:\Program Files\NetZero\qsacc\x1exec
   Normal path for exec is: C:\Program Files\NetZero\exec
9. Click the red X at the top right to close the program

McAfee Personal Firewall Plus

When configured to its default settings, McAfee Personal Firewall Plus should work correctly with the NetZero Software. If certain programs are blocked from accessing the Internet, the NetZero HiSpeed software will not function properly and will shut down. If you have blocked a NetZero program, you will need to manually configure McAfee Personal Firewall Plus to allow them to proceed.

To unblock exec, x1exec and Zcast:

1. Start the McAfee Personal Firewall Plus Program
2. Click New Allowed Application
3. The Select Application to Allow box will appear
4. From the dropdown menu select the NetZero folder
   Note: Default location is C:\program files\NetZero\Zcast
5. Select Zcast
6. Click Open
7. Locate the file from the Internet Applications list
8. Click on the Permissions
9. Select Allow Full Access
10. Repeat these steps for x1exec and exec if applicable
    Note: Default location for x1exec is: C:\Program Files\NetZero\qsacc\x1exec
    Default location for exec is: C:\Program Files\NetZero\exec
11. Click the red X at the top right to close the window

Norton Internet Security 2004

Note: If you have Norton Personal Firewall installed, you will need to allow NetZero Internet Service to access the Internet.

When configured to its default settings, Norton Internet Security 2004 should work correctly with NetZero. You just need to make sure that the program will allow NetZero to connect to the Internet.

When you log on to NetZero HiSpeed for the first time with Norton Internet Security 2004 installed, the program will state: x1exec or Zcast or exec is attempting to access the Internet.

If you accidentally select Block this application from accessing the Internet, you will not be able to get online. Please follow the instructions below to manually allow NetZero to connect to the Internet.

1. Double-click on the Norton Internet Security icon in your system tray, located in the lower-right hand corner of the screen.
2. Select Personal Firewall.
3. Select the Programs tab.
4. Under Manual Program Control, select and highlight NetZero Internet Service and click Modify.
5. Under What do you want to do, select Permit.
6. Click OK and then click OK again.
7. Click the X in the upper-right hand corner of the window to close Norton Internet Security.

Norton Internet Security 2005

Note: If you have Norton Personal Firewall installed, you will need to allow NetZero Internet Service to access the Internet.

When configured to its default settings, Norton Internet Security 2005 should work correctly with NetZero. You just need to make sure that the program will allow NetZero to connect to the Internet.

When you log on to NetZero HiSpeed for the first time with Norton Internet Security 2005 installed, the program will state: x1exec or Zcast or exec is attempting to access the Internet.

If you accidentally select 'Block this application from accessing the Internet', you will not be able to get online. Please follow the instructions below to manually allow NetZero to connect to the Internet.

1. Double-click the Norton Internet Security icon in your systems tray
2. Click Personal Firewall
3. Click Configure
4. Select the Programs tab
5. Locate United Online Accelerator from the programs list
   Note: If United Online Accelerator is not on the list skip ahead to step 9
6. Click the Internet Access setting
7. Select Permit All
8. Click OK
9. Click Add
10. Select the United Online Accelerator folder
    Note: Default location is C:\\Program Files\NetZero\qsacc
11. Select x1exec.exe
12. Click Open
13. From the dropdown list, select Permit
14. Click OK
15. Click the Internet Access setting
16. Select Permit All
17. Click OK

Norton Internet Security 2006

Note: If you have Norton Personal Firewall installed, you will need to allow NetZero Internet Service to access the Internet.

When configured to its default settings, Norton Internet Security 2006 should work correctly with NetZero. You just need to make sure that the program will allow NetZero to connect to the Internet.

When you log on to NetZero HiSpeed for the first time with Norton Internet Security 2006 installed, the program will state: x1exec or Zcast or exec is attempting to access the Internet.

If you accidentally select 'Block this application from accessing the Internet', you will not be able to get online. Please follow the instructions below to manually allow NetZero to connect to the Internet.

1. Double-click the Norton Internet Security icon in your systems tray
2. Click Personal Firewall
3. Click Configure
4. Select the Programs tab and uncheck the Turn on Automatic Program Control box.
5. Locate United Online Accelerator from the Manual Program Control list
   Note: If United Online Accelerator is not on the list skip ahead to step 9
6. Click the Internet Access setting
7. Select Permit All
8. Click OK
9. Click Add
10. Select the United Online Accelerator folder
    Note: Default location is C:\Program Files\NetZero\qsacc
11. Select x1exec.exe
12. Click Open
13. From the dropdown list, select Permit
14. Click OK
15. Click the Internet Access setting
16. Select Permit All
17. Click OK

Sygate Personal Firewall

If you have Sygate Personal Firewall, you must make sure that the program will allow NetZero HiSpeed and Internet Explorer to connect to the Internet.

When you log on to NetZero HiSpeed for the first time with Sygate Personal Firewall installed, the program will list the following windows:

- 'x1exec [or Zcast or exec] is trying to connect to [IP Address] using remote port 53 (DOMAIN - Domain Name Server). Do you want to allow this program to access the network?'

- 'x1exec [or Zcast or exec] is trying to connect to cf.netzero.net [IP Address] using remote port 6789. Do you want to allow this program to access the network?'

- 'Internet Explorer is trying to connect to my.netzero.net [64.136.28.33] using remote port 80 (HTTP - World Wide Web). Do you want to allow this program to access the network?'

If you accidentally block x1exec, exec or Zcast, you will not be able to get online. If you clicked the checkbox next to 'Remember my answer, and do not ask me again for this application' when you blocked x1exec, exec or Zcast, you will have to unblock it from within the Sygate Personal Firewall program in order to get online.

To unblock x1exec, exec and Zcast:

1. Double-click on the Sygate Personal Firewall icon in your system tray, located in the lower-right hand corner of the screen.
2. Click the Applications button.
3. Click the box to the left of Zcast, x1exec, and exec until a green check mark appears
4. Click OK
5. Click the X in the upper-right hand corner of the window to close Sygate Personal Firewall.

Tiny Personal Firewall

If you are running the Tiny Personal Firewall program and try to run NetZero HiSpeed, you will need to allow access to certain programs. If you have accidentally blocked those programs from being able to access the Internet, you will need to manually go in and change your settings.

To allow Zcast, x1exec, and exec to access the Internet:

1. Start the Tiny Personal Firewall program Configuration Tool
2. Select the Applications tab
3. Click Enroll
4. Under Application Name enter Zcast (or x1exec or exec)
5. Check the circle next to Filename
6. Under Filename enter Zcast.exe (or x1exec.exe or exec.exe)
7. Click the Exceptions tab
8. From the file list on the left, click directly on a file name
9. From the dropdown list select Zcast (or x1exec or exec)
10. Click Save Changes
11. Launch the NetZero software
12. When the prompt appears regarding Zcast click Apply Permanently
13. Click Allow

ZoneAlarm

If you are using ZoneAlarm and are having difficulties connecting, you must make sure that the program will allow NetZero to connect to the Internet.

1. Start the ZoneAlarm Firewall program.
2. Click Program Control from the left side, yellow menu.
3. Click the Programs tab under the Help button.
4. Within the Programs window you will notice that there are two columns; One for Access and one for Server. In addition, there are two separate settings for each; One for Trusted and one for Internet. Furthermore, there will need to be one of three options selected for each setting; Allow (shown as a green check mark), Block (shown as a red X), and Ask (shown as a blue ?).
5. Locate ZCAST and single click in the setting under Trusted and select Allow.
6. Repeat the above step under the Internet setting.(There should now be two green check marks under the Access setting.
7. Repeat the above step for all instances of ZCAST. If you are a NetZero HiSpeed user you will see two instances of ZCAST.
8. Click the X in the upper-right hand corner of the window to close ZoneAlarm.
9. The next time you run the program, you will have to click Allow to let NetZero access the Internet.

Other Firewall Programs

If you have a firewall not listed above, try the following steps:

1. Go to your firewall's settings option.
2. Look for a list of applications that are allowed or prevented access to the Internet.
3. Look for Zcast, x1exec and exec. If either of these programs are blocked or prevented access to the Internet, select them and change their setting to be allowed access.
4. Save your changes and restart your firewall program.