vsmon.exe takes 100% CPU

6 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/vsmon-exe-takes-100-cpu.64655/

I have Windows XP SP2 with all the latest updates installed.

I use latest versions of Mozilla Firefox & Internet Explorer 6 as browsers.
I use Outlook Express for checking mails.

I use Zonealarm Pro v7.0.362.000 as my firewall & have disabled Windows Firewall.
Zonealarm Pro is loaded automatically at startup.

The problem is, when I connect to internet with Zonealarm running, on very first sign of internet activity (data transfer), the vsmon.exe (process of Zonealarm) takes up the entire CPU for about 30 seconds. Then everything runs normal.
Even if I run either of the browsers or Outlook Express, the process takes up 100%.
When I don't run Zonealarm Pro while connecting to internet, the problem doesn't occur.

Please help me regarding this!!!!

yes vsmon is known to monopolize cpu at times ! reduce its priority or use 'process tamer' . u can also turn-off features of za which u dont use or feel u dont need.

ZA is known to eat a lot of your CPU, especially the latest one. If you would like to try another firewall apart from ZA, I would suggest Comodo Firewall. Its free and does a very good job. Clean interface as well.

Believe me the previous version is good for XP..Version 7.0 is for vista and is damn heavy for system..

Actually, Zonealarm v7.x doesn't take resources when it's running in background.
The problem I'm facing occurs for only about 30-40 seconds when internet activity occurs for the first time.
But it is a problem.

Ok, it's pretty late to post a reply.
The problem was with the product itself.
After numerous email exchanges with Zonealarm Support, the problem was resolved in the next released version.