suddenly cannot download exe files?

[Zoloft]

Very very odd issue suddenly appeared, maybe someone has some insight?

All of a sudden, I can no longer download exe files. Other file types appear fine, just not exes. If attempting to do so in firefox, it appears to download fine, but, will show up in my download folder as a 0 KB file, and the download window shows "canceled" as status. In IE, a little window pops up that says my current security settings will not allow this file to be downloaded.

I suspect it's IE related, as I had to play with my IE security settings to allow access to my work's website at home, and I haven't installed/changed anything else recently. But, I even tried turning off all of IE's security settings, also tried putting them back to default, yet neither allowed IE or firefox to download exes again.

I've of course attempted closing the browsers, no luck, even rebooting had no effect.

Avira finds no malware, and it is not stopping the downloads.

Any clues?

Thanks

 

[brady]

are these exe files through FTP? and what security software are you using?

 

[Zoloft]

Nope, standard http downloads (tried the shark 007 codec packs, some random apps via download.com etc) Avira premium security suite.

 

[brady]

it could be a few different things causing this issue. Since you said you're "allowed" to download then, but they just show up as 0kb files, it leads me to believe that something is 'stripping' them. Such as a security software of some kind OR a browser addon. Try disabling your Antivirus then downloading them again.

 

[Jonathan_King]

I agree with the above poster. Try disabling Avira. Sounds like something the A/V would cause.

 

[Zoloft]

Nope, no go. Disabled the firewall and virus protection, and had same result.

 

[monkeys breath]

list what addons you have for the browsers also check you firewall settings to make sure something did not get changed. some firewalls as well as a/v programs do not completely disable even though you told them to.

 

[Zoloft]

No addons at all for IE.

I don't notice anything unusual in the settings for Avira, unfortunately.

Thanks for all the input though, I appreciate every suggestion!

 

[fseal]

One piece of info, as far as IE goes, at the highest stock clampdown mode fo rthe internet zone, you can still DL a program from the net but Windows will NOT let you run it (A good setting for your kids accounts!!!)

But, it does actualy DL the file...

It's entirely possible that FF or an addon is doing the same sort of thing but one little step further by not allowing the DL at all...

But something that affects both FF and IE.. that sounds like something external...

 

[Jonathan_King]

I would try removing your anti-virus altogether. If it works, try the free A\V Microsoft Security Essentials, and see if it gives the same problem.

 

[Zoloft]

I have not yet gone to the extreme of uninstalling Avira, will save that for the last resort (it's been so good to me these years), but one additional bit of info, I WAS able to download the exe files using a download manager (JDownloader in this case), yet still cannot using IE or FF. If Avira was the culprit, not allowing the files to be downloaded, would I still be able to do so via JDownloader?

Also, if I bring up the firefox download dialog, and click the re-try button, it actually downloads the file, but, the moment the download completes, it literally disappears from my download directory? HUH?

 

[Jonathan_King]

I have not yet gone to the extreme of uninstalling Avira, will save that for the last resort (it's been so good to me these years), but one additional bit of info, I WAS able to download the exe files using a download manager (JDownloader in this case), yet still cannot using IE or FF. If Avira was the culprit, not allowing the files to be downloaded, would I still be able to do so via JDownloader?

Possibly. Avira may have a feature that installs itself into the browsers, but it may overlook other programs, like your download manager.

Just a theory, I can't guarantee Avira is the cause.

 

[Zoloft]

I actually checked the version history of Avira, seeing if there was some major update that may have had this new functionality (everything downloaded normally as of a few days ago), but it's still the same version that's been installed for a while now. I think my next step will be a system restore to a week ago or so unless anyone else can suggest something else. If that doesn't fix it, uninstalling will be my next step.