Quote Originally Posted by Jochi Khan
All I have ever had to do with my firewalls is set them to 'Allow' or 'Not block' the servers that I am connecting to.
That should have read.. Programs ...and not Servers.

I am aware of how windows XP sets the Exceptions. Have been using it for a number of years now. Checked and double checked, all the programs I need 'not blocked' are not blocked (all the necessary boxes are ticked). The windows updates do not change your Exceptions.

Zone Alarm works differently in as much as you set your levels of security each time you want to play online. This you then change when you log off the games. Again, do not get changed when Zone Alarm does auto update.