The Bobbin Buzz & Stitchin' Bits

A customer wrote this morning that she couldn't download designs suddenly. I asked her about her Anti-Virus and Firewall software and found out she was using the free programs provided by Comcast.

Here's the solution and it's FREE...

I used to have Comcast until a couple months ago. Here's what their home page says... "All new McAfee security suite is included." And therin lies most of your downloading problems. Interesting that when you do a search on Google for "comcast internet" one of the first pages you see says this...

"Comcast.net: If your Web browser is stuck on this page, Comcast.net may have a conflict with your Internet security software. Click here to chat live with a Comcast ..."

So they KNOW it causes problems but for some reason they persist in their deal with McAfee!

It's not their anti-virus software that causes the problems. It's their Firewall software. Most of the anti-virus software makers are now creating a "suite" of software instead of just anti-virus. Why? Because they can sell 3 pieces of software in a bundle for more money than they can sell one piece of software. Great - if it wasn't for the problems created by their firewall programs.

To put it simply, they set up their firewalls to grab control of your computer and not let you do things you still want to do, all in the name of "security". The simple solution is to turn off their firewall program and turn on the one that's included with Windows for free. It works fine and won't cause the download issues you're currently having.

Go into your McAfee Contol Center and select "Firewall". Set it to "OFF". Then go into your Windows START menu and choose ALL PROGRAMS / ACCESSORIES / SYSTEM TOOLS / SECURITY CENTER. Choose "Windows Firewall". Set it to "ON". Then click "OKAY". That's it.

Reboot your computer and try downloading again.