Security Suites and your Ethernet Adapter

[jimmyj68]

A week or so ago I was posting in regard to the problems I was having with a new Cisco Valet router that worked fine wirelessly but the hardwire to my computer was erratic, nonfunctional, or slow as molasses.

I regret that I don't know who to credit but last night I read somewhere on this forum that Some internet security suites would "quietly" block changes and updates to your lan driver in the PC. Among the problems I had encountered was a complete failure of the network if I installed the latest ethernet adapter drivers for my Intel DP55SB board. I could get the system to function with the older drivers. During all of this drama I even went out and purchased a new Cisco Valet, and speculated that the Intel drivers were incompatible with the Cisco unit.

Anyway, going on what I read last night, I uninstalled my TrendMicro security suite and installed the Microsoft Security Essentials protection. The latest lan drivers from intel installed without a hitch and the system operated as it should - and fast (as fast as Comcast will allow).

I don't know who to credit for this but if you are having headaches with your network and internet access - and if you are running one of the popular internet security suites, uninstall the suite and install the microsoft security essentials (free) and see if your headaches go away. Don't just uninstall your security suite and leave yourself unprotected though.

As my life would have it, my TrendMicro subscription ends this month, so I can let them know to cease and desist - I no longer wish to use their product. Mind you, if you want to reinstall your suite it will probably continue to work fine with your cleared up lan system as is and only give you headaches again if you try to change something.

 

[ScottMac]

Great info, thanks for the heads up.

 

[JackMDS]

Most of the 3rd party security suits (Norton. McAfee, Kaspersky, Avast, ZA,TrendMicro) have trouble with Win 7.

Win 7 Networking is more complex than previous releases of Windows, most End-users today have Networks of few computers and variety of other devices.

The 3rd party security suits are mainly developed with the idea that they are sold to protect one computer from the Internet. They are comfortable in the situation since it probably generates huge income from None enthusiasts paying for online support when they cannot connect.

In many cases the Security suits works Ok protecting form the Internet, but in the process, they ""protect"" the LAN too, by blocking aspect of LAN traffic.

Even worse are the 3rd party Network Managers like Netmagic, Easy Link, Apple Bonjour, etc. They do make Networking slightly easier to handle for an “ignorant” user that does not want to understand anything about Networking. On the other hand, at the moment that the Network becomes slightly more complex than one computer connecting to the Internet they introduce much more trouble rather than Help.

The differences between the top security suits are minute. Each one might miss something when tested, but in general, they provide similar protection.

Therefore, the best solution that works well with both the Internet and LAN is to use on each Networked computers running Windows Vista/Win 7 the Advanced native software Firewall, and install the free Microsoft Security Essentials as AV and Antispyware applications.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials


P.S. Just disabling the Suits components usually does not help.
Even uninstalling at times does not prevent the problem. Some of these suits have processes that starts through the Services or the Startup folder and stay there even after uninstall.

After uninstall use Process Explorer to make sure that the is No residual process related to the Suit running in background.

The free utility can help to identify processes running in memory.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653

 

[jimmyj68]

You are the one I should credit for bringing me into the light on security suites and their behind the scenes network adapter actions. Thanks loads.

During the debacle with the new routers I had even tried the temporary disable available in TrendMicro but it had not helped. Complete removal of TrendMicro was an immediate difference. I really have no beef with TrendMicro - it was doing what it was supposed to do in protecting my computer. I've got family members running MSE on their machines and they seem "safe" - so why spend the bucks for renewing TrendMicros watchdog services and upgrades.

Thanks again.

P.S. wanna buy a used (a little) Cisco Valet router (smile.) its no longer stock as I have changed the original SSID and password during and with the help of Cisco phone support.
Just kiddin - I'll find a use for it.