Firewall appears to block Flash Web sites

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joe Starin
  • Start date Start date
J

Joe Starin

Okay, here's one for the master gurus:

I've been pulling my hair out trying to view Web sites built with Macromedia
Flash. (Was always "told" by the site that I needed to "download the Flash
plug-in.") Also, never saw any animation on Flash-built ads on Web pages.

Today, found out what appears to be the culprit....

When I disable my firewall (eTrust EZ firewall from Computer Associates,
which I think may actually be a firewall provided by Zone Labs) Flash works
just fine. That includes Flash ads on Web pages AND Flash-built Web sites.
Good so far.

But, when I reboot (essentially turning the firewall back on), I can still
see animated Flash ads on Web pages, but cannot view any Flash-built Web
sites. Whew. Way over my head. Any takers? Are there tweaks I can make to
the firewall that will allow me to view Flash-built sites?

Any and all discussion welcome.

Joe Starin
 
Download flash for ww.java.com and then go to macromedia.com and look for
shockwave and flash and have fun with those websites =)
 
Thanks for the reply, Justin.

I already have the latest Flash and Shockwave installed -- and both run
smoothly when the firewall is turned off. What exactly is "Flash for
ww(w).java.com?" Is it another kind of Flash? I'm not a big Flash expert, as
you can see. Thanks.

Joe Starin
 
I think I found the problem, in case anyone else comes across this
situation:

On my EZ Firewall, I clicked PRIVACY / MOBILE CODE CONTROL / then the
"CUSTOM" button. I selected the RESET THE DEFAULTS" option, effectively
turning off Mobile Code Control. Now, Flash Web sites function correctly
once again.

BUT, am I leaving myself vulnerable in any way? Any final thoughts from you
Zone Alarm users before we close the book on this one?

Joe
 
if you are using eTrust EZ firewall from Computer Associates,
you may have your security set to high
reset to medium which will allow flash animations to work
also if using SP2 you may have the Shockwave plugin disabled.
I use eTrust EZ firewall and found that I could manually turn off some
annoying Flash ads :)
and was also pleased SP2 had some built in option as well
Good luck
 
Thanks, Semper. The problem was, in fact, with my firewall's settings, a
fact confirmed by tech support at Macromedia. I find these firewalls pretty
complicated. Learning something new every day. Thanks for your reply. Joe
Starin.
 
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