Windows Firewall and Java

[quartet-man]

There is a program on the Assts. computer that keeps having trouble with updates. Their tech support sent an email telling me some possible issues. He said that a particular port needed open in the firewall (which I believe I was able to add, I at least tried) and a bunch of urls needed to be accessible. I can't figure out how to do those URLS as exceptions. He also said Java needed to be enabled in IE. Is there a way to enable it for this program or will it enable it for everything?

Thanks. She is running XP

[Force Flow]

The Windows Firewall doesn't block outgoing requests--only incoming. Are these sites blocked by security software or network content filtering?

As for Java, just install the latest JVM: Download Java Runtime Environment 1.7.0.10 (32-bit) - FileHippo.com

[quartet-man]

That is just what he says. The problem is we try to update the program from help. It downloads the update, but doesn't install it. Then you check updates again and it shows the update still available. It also seems to install another installation in the add / remove programs when this happens (one being less big and I suspect the not fully installed update). I don't know of any other security program than MSE and I have no idea about content filtering. I don't think there are any blocks here at church (at least no purposely)

[Force Flow]

Download the actual full Java installer, rather than update it through itself. I've noticed that the update function sometimes glitches and doesn't actually execute the update.

[quartet-man]

I was going to check into the Java today, but with the security flaw I decided to hold off. However, it appears she might not even have it. The problem though is I think the support staff is telling things that are needed for functions of the program to work when that isn't the issue. I have him trying to figure out why it will not update properly and instead seemingly makes a second instance of the program (albeit a smaller one which is probably the update) in the add/remove programs.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by quartet-man I was going to check into the Java today, but with the security flaw I decided to hold off.

The security flaw is present in all versions of java. Update 11 was supposedly a fix.

I have him trying to figure out why it will not update properly and instead seemingly makes a second instance of the program (albeit a smaller one which is probably the update) in the add/remove programs.

Remove the older versions and just install the latest one.

The auto-update glitch hasn't happened often enough to be a serious problem, and it's an easy issue to bypass, so I haven't investigated causes of the issue.

[quartet-man]

The program she uses supposedly needs Java to work on certain functions, but I don't know that Java or the Firewall access is what is causing her problems. Today he asked for logs and hopefully that will give him some idea on what is going on with the stupid thing. I will try to install Java for her next time I am in and can.