Update McAfee Security Center and firewall settings to allow Firefox access to the Internet

This article is no longer maintained, so its content might be out of date.

This article applies to users with McAfee 2010-2011 products on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. For instructions on configuring other security software, see Configure firewalls so that Firefox can access the Internet.

After updating or installing Firefox, the firewall included with McAfee may erroneously prevent Firefox from accessing the Internet.

In order to fix the problem, you must update McAfee Security Center and reset its firewall settings.

Resetting firewall settings

Follow these steps to reset McAfee's firewall settings to ensure that Firefox is able to connect.

  1. Click on the Windows Start button, and then select All Programs > McAfee > McAfee Security Center. (This may be called McAfee Internet Security, McAfee Total Protection, or McAfee AntiVirus Plus).
    b9c192030d3a0a0785703cc08f4bf7ce-1282691664-164-1.png
  2. On the left side of the McAfee window, click Firewall.
    b9c192030d3a0a0785703cc08f4bf7ce-1282574264-975-1.png
  3. On the right side of the McAfee window, click the Settings link.
    b9c192030d3a0a0785703cc08f4bf7ce-1282574310-41-1.png
  4. Press Restore Defaults.
    b9c192030d3a0a0785703cc08f4bf7ce-1282574323-217-1.png
  5. Close McAfee Total Protection and start Firefox again.

Updating McAfee Products

If McAfee hasn't been updated today, follow these steps to make sure you have the latest update.

  1. Click on the Windows Start button, and then select All Programs > McAfee > McAfee Security Center. (This may be called McAfee Internet Security, McAfee Total Protection, or McAfee AntiVirus Plus).
    b9c192030d3a0a0785703cc08f4bf7ce-1282691664-164-1.png
  2. On the left side of the McAfee window, click Updates.
    b9c192030d3a0a0785703cc08f4bf7ce-1282574153-991-1.png
  3. On the right side of the McAfee window, click the Check for updates link.
    b9c192030d3a0a0785703cc08f4bf7ce-1282574191-863-1.png
  4. Wait for the updates to complete. This may take several minutes.
  5. You may be asked to restart the computer. If this happens, return to this page after restarting and complete the instructions in the "Resetting firewall settings" section above.
    b9c192030d3a0a0785703cc08f4bf7ce-1282574212-829-1.png

Other problems

If Firefox will not connect to the Internet after configuring McAfee with the instructions above, you may have another problem. Read Firefox can't load websites but other browsers can for instructions on how to troubleshoot this.

These fine people helped write this article:

Illustration of hands

Volunteer

Grow and share your expertise with others. Answer questions and improve our knowledge base.

Learn More