Windows: How to disable all 3rd party security products

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A friend is having issues with a program that connects to the internet.

i am fairly certain that there is an issue with a 3rd party product that either

  • blocks outgoing connections
  • blocks incoming connections
  • inserts itself in a network connection
  • inserts itself in a file read
  • inserts itself in a file write

i have no idea what products she has installed, either does she. But i can imagine some:

  • PeerGuardian blocking outgoing connections
  • AVG/NAV blocking incoming/outgoing connections
  • AVG/NAV interfering with a file read
  • AVG/NAV interfering with a file write
  • any other "security" product

Is there a simple way (i.e. instructions for a beginner) that can disable all 3rd party anti-virus and firewall products on a computer?

Note: i define 3rd-party as not signed by Microsoft Windows (i.e.
even Microsoft Corporation isn't
good enough, as they're not part of
the core OS).

The reason i ask is because i know some products dig their hooks in so deep: there's no way to remove them.

But maybe there's a simple fix somewhere: "Disable all anti-virus and firewall protection, and i mean pronto."


What is the issue that i happen to be wrestling with today?

i don't know how you people can stand security products.

Best Answer

It sounds like it's been blocked by an outgoing firewall. What version of Windows is it and is there a firewall (Comodo for example) running?

You can find out if there is a firewall (and which one it is) by opening. the windows security centre Control Panel > Security Center (on XP):

alt text

You should be able to open the firewall and see a list of blocked programs.

Find World of Warcraft on that list and change it to "allowed". This is the screen for Comodo as an example:

alt text

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