• Import WinFax PRO faxes and contacts. (*does not import WinFax cover pages)
• Powerful, easy-to-use fax software.
• Produce professional looking faxes with full preview and annotation.
• Access Microsoft Outlook contacts directly when sending faxes.
• Forward received faxes by email. (as PDF, TIFF or proprietary .FAX format)
• Operates as a network fax client for FaxTalk Multiline Server.
• Broadcast faxes to fax numbers and email addresses.
• Fax Merge with Microsoft Word using optional FaxTalk Merge Macro software.
• Block the reception of unwanted junk faxes.
• Developer Fax SDK to integrate FaxTalk with your custom software application.
• Voice mail and Fax back capability with a compatible voice modem using FaxTalk Messenger Pro 7.5 software.

Bundle with the FaxTalk Merge Macro for Microsoft Word

We offer a bundle package with FaxTalk Merge Macro for Microsoft Word.  Automate your faxing from Microsoft Word™ and FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro or FaxTalk Messenger Pro™. Fax broadcast from your Windows desktop by using the power of FaxTalk Fax Messenger and the FaxTalk Merge Macro for Microsoft Word. You can send faxes directly from Microsoft Word by clicking an icon. Select your prepared mail merge document with a data source, click on Send a Fax merge, select your recipients & optional cover sheet and click Merge. Send a few faxes or thousands of faxes, directly from Microsoft Word.

More info here http://www.getfaxing.com/faxtalk

Requirements:

• Compatible Windows operating system (Windows 7, Vista, 2008, 2003, XP, 2000)
• Compatible Class 1, 1.0, 2, 2.0, 2.1 fax modem.
• Compatible Voice/Fax Modem for FaxTalk Messenger Pro
• Microsoft Word XP/2003/2007/2010 for FaxTalk Fax Merge Macro option.
  

Windows Server 2003

The first problem with installation of WinFax PRO under Windows 2003 is that the printer driver support in the operating system was moved from kernel to user mode. The reason is that the use of kernel mode printer drivers can possibily cause a server to hang, result in a blue screen and require a reboot. This isn’t something you want happening on a server. Because of this possibility, Microsoft decided to block the installation of all kernel mode printer drivers in Windows 2003. During the installation of WinFax PRO, a kernel mode printer driver (also called version 2 printer driver) is added to your list of installed printers. By default, Windows 2003 won’t allow you to add this printer, and during the installation it is either ignored silently or a printer driver related error message is displayed. Fortunately, in Windows 2003 you can bypass this restriction. You can set a group policy in Windows 2003 to allow the installation of kernel mode printers. Once you’ve done this, you should be able to successfully install WinFax PRO under Windows 2003.

Windows Server 2008

 Windows Server 2008 does not support Type 2/Kernel Mode printer drivers. While the installation of WinFax (may) appear to complete under Windows 2008, the installation  will not include these printer drivers.  WinFax PRO is not compatible with this operating system.

FaxBack has recently released version 8.6 of NET SatisFAXtion server software.  WinFax PRO client support has been completely omitted in the documentation of versions 8.5 and 8.6. The last version that mentioned the ability to connect WinFax as a client was version 8.1. 

We couldn’t find any upgrade warnings in the 8.5 or 8.6 upgrade or administration documentation for users that could possibily upgrade only to find they now have a bunch of  client software that won’t connect to NET SatisFAXtion anymore.

It’s obvious that the WinFax client feature has been depreciated since version 8.1, but it’s possible that WinFax PRO clients are still “unofficially supported”  in versions 8.5 and 8.6 with use of the latest WinFax Connector.

If you have any additional details regarding compatibility with these versions please let us know.   We contacted FaxBack directly and received a reply that WinFax PRO connector had not been supported since version 8.0 (while we found a WinFax Connector update released about 2 years after the release of 8.0? and 8.1 mentions it in the documentation.

We do know that  NET SatisFAXtion version 8.0 will be retired December 31, 2009.

If you are experiencing errors installing the WinFax printer driver, such as Error Code ->1797 or Error Code->126 you may have problems with the WinFax driver files.

Symantec has a list of troubleshooting steps here, but we’ve found these are usually not always effective in solving this problem (and is very time consuming, a reinstall is usually not required). 

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/faxprod.nsf/docid/2002012814193804

Subscribers to our forums and download access to WinFax Tools can automatically check for these files and repair any errors automatically.

This error can be fixed in WinFax Tools by clicking on “Install & Setup Tools” and then, “Install Printer Driver”

Click here for more information on subscribing to WinFax Tools.

WinFax printer add failed. Error code ->1930

WinFax PRO and TalkWorks PRO requires a Windows compatible operating system such as Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP, that will support Kernel Mode (Type 2) printer drivers. Microsoft VISTA and Windows 7 do not support Kernel Mode printer drivers.  While Windows 2003 does support kernel mode printers, they are blocked by default. Windows 2003 requires a policy change to allow for Kernel mode printer driver installation. You must disallow Kernel Mode blocking in Windows 2003 before you can install the WinFax printer drivers.

Our initial testing confirms that you can run WinFax PRO in Windows XP mode, but you cannot “share” the WinFax PRO printer driver with Windows 7 applications.  We successfully shared the fax modem, (and it was a software based modem!) but not the fax printer. This prevents any access from Windows 7 programs to the WinFax printer. Only the applications that are installed within the Windows XP Virtual machine can be used with WinFax to send faxes, you cannot create faxes from within Windows 7 applications. 

This limits the usability of WinFax in Windows 7.  if you require to fax from a Windows 7 application, it will not work.  Although, having Windows XP within your Windows 7 operating system saves you the expensive of having another separate computer just to run legacy Windows XP applications such as WinFax.

An alternative to WinFax PRO is FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro,  more details here

 More on Windows XP Mode with Windows 7.

Windows XP Mode is a feature that is optional on Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise versions of Windows 7. Windows XP Mode is not available in the Home Premium or Starter Editions of Windows 7. Windows XP Mode option can be downloaded at no additional charge with a qualified version of Windows 7 directly from Microsoft’s Web site here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

In addition to the downloads, you’ll need a compatible processor and motherboard that supports hardware virtualization (AMD-V or Intel VT , also code named Vanderpool technology) . Microsoft has released a tool which you can download to test to see if your processor can support the AMD-V or Intel VT mode.  See Microsoft’s link above for more details.

More info on some compatible CPU’s in this post: http://www.getfaxing.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=718

• Symantec never included the actual revision of WinFax PRO 10 (10.01,10.02 or 10.03)  on the CD ROM.  So, if your WinFax PRO CD ROM says “WinFax PRO 10.03″ its a fake. All genuine WinFax PRO 10 cd’s contain the heading ”WinFax PRO 10.0″
• If you see text with “winFAX” or “Live Update” anywhere on the CD its a fake.  The official Symantec trademarks are ”WinFax” and “LiveUpdate”, no other variations of this text should appear on the CD ROM.
• Failure to capitalize ”symantec” and “corporation”.
• An “All rights resverd” spelling error, or other spelling errors.
• Incorrect font used for WinFax PRO and Symantec logo. The current Symantec logo is consistant across all software they produce.
• Silver portion of CD is a (dull) matte finish, on the real CD it is relective (mirror surface).
• To determine if the CD is brand new and sealed – geniune WinFax PRO 10 CD’s come in a white envelope sleeve that are sealed with a sticker that may have one or more of the following: a bar code, a Symantec 5 or 6 digit product code, a brief license agreement. 
• In most cases, manufacturer information is printed on the inner rim of the CD ROM of genuine CD’s. This is usually missing on a counterfeit.
• Update patch 10.04 is not included on genuine CD ROMs. Any CD that contains the patch update to 10.04 is a counterfeit.

Example of a counterfeit CD ROM  and genuine WinFax PRO 10 CD ROM. Notice the differences in the mirror surface, the Symantec logo, and different font types. The counterfeit contains ”10.03″ version, something that is not printed on the genuine CD.  You’ll also probably see manufacturer information around the inner rim of the genuine CD ROM.  This is  likely to be missing on the counterfeit WinFax PRO CD.

This is a counterfeit poor quality copy of WinFax PRO 10.03 that appears to be created on a home deskjet printer. Note the non-reflective matte finish on the CD ROM.

 Here is the original design of the WnFax PRO 10 CD ROM used for North American releases of WinFax PRO 10.0 and WinFax PRO 10.01. This has a different design, yellow with silver (reflective) images.  This version uses the older style Symantec logo.

This image on the left is an example of a genuine WinFax PRO 10.0 or 10.01 CD ROM. Symantec updated most of its design & software boxes when they changed logo designs. Version 10.02 and 10.03 use the updated design & Symantec logo. This design also uses a reflective mirror finish on portions of the CD ROM. Lack of reflective mirror finish would indicate a counterfeit CD, or a version with the 10.04 update included on the same install CD would indicate a counterfeit.

WinFax PRO and TalkWorks PRO stores log records in the default Messages message store. A message store works like a filing cabinet with drawers that hold different types of files. For easy access, the Messages message store organizes your messages by placing them in one of four default folders:

• Send Log  Stores sent messages.
• Receive Log  Stores received messages.
• Outbox  Stores scheduled, held, and pending messages.
• Wastebasket  Stores deleted messages until you remove them manually or automatically.

Fax and voice log entries in the Messages message store are uncompressed; the Messages message store is therefore more suitable for short-term message storage or for storing a smaller number of messages. 

If you want to keep your messages for long-term use or you receive large numbers of messages, you can set up your own message filing system with custom message stores and subfolders. For example, you might want to organize correspondence by customer and your sales reports by quarter.

Versions of WinFax affected: Confirmed with all versions of WinFax PRO 9.0x, WinFax PRO 10.0x and TalkWorks PRO 3.0. This error only exists on a fax sharing client, when connecting to a fax host. 

This error occurs when a Fax Sharing client connects to a Host, and displays the Received Fax Dialog box.  This dialog box contains a selection list box from the Host computer containing the Fax Message information, including the number of pages, the Remote CSID, the type of message (fax or voice), and the date & time the message was received.   This data is stored internally as comma delimited format.  If a Remote CSID contains a comma, the list is becomes shifted and is positioned in the list box incorrectly. Lack of error conditions in this module causes the error message in to fault in module WFXIPWPP.DLL

Solution/Workaround:

To correct this problem, you need to view the Host receive log and examine any received faxes that have a Remote CSID that contain a comma.  You need to remove these specific faxes from the Receive log (either delete them, or move them into another folder). 

If these faxes are being received from within your own organization, you can prevent future occurances of this error by remove any comma’s from the CSID’s in the fax machines, or software that you use within your organization. Unfortunately, you cannot control other fax machines that you receive from, so any other fax machine you receive from with a comma is the CSID will trigger this error.

What is a Remote CSID (also called a TSID)? 

This is the data that the caller has entered in the fax machine, or fax software that identifies that specific fax machine. Usually, this information contains the fax number but sometimes can also contain a text message, like a company or department name.  If the CSID (or the TSID) contains a comma, this triggers the error in WinFax.  This is a flaw that was not fixed by Symantec, expecting that a CSID would never contain a comma.

We’ve been testing an on-line fax service for a few months now, and have found OneSuite.com to be reliable for incoming and outgoing faxes.  Get yourself your own fax number, from a selection of 16 U.S. states, with unlimited incoming fax pages.  Your faxes are then transmitted to you instantly to your e-mail address in a multi-page PDF format. Get started for as low as $1.00 a month for unlimited incoming fax service! and you can get started within minutes with a minimum pre-paid amount of $10.00 US Dollars. Use the link below to sign up, and get an additional 5% sign up bonus and your 1st month free!  https://www.onesuite.com/A96909221/suitetreat

If you want to be able to send and receive faxes, the service is $2.95 a month and includes unlimited incoming faxes.  Sent faxes are charged at a per page rate , in USA/Canada the current rate is 2.5 cents per page. 

No setup fees, no hidden fees, you pay for what you use and the monthly fee of only $2.95 for sending and receiving, or $1.00 a month for receiving only.  Each subscription plan includes your own fax number, with unlimited fax receive.

Use SuiteTreat promotion code : A96909221 to receive the 5% Bonus plus your 1st month free.

• WinFax PRO 8.0x
• WinFax PRO 9.0x
• WinFax PRO 10.0x
• TalkWorks PRO 2.0x
• TalkWorks PRO 3.0
• WinFax Basic Edition (all versions)
• TalkWorks Basic Edition (all versions)
• Delrina Fax (French release, version 8.0x and above)

More details on this security flaw by clicking here

Symantec has released this official Security Bulletin for WinFax PRO, technical details can be found at Symantec’s Web site

If you use a Norton product for security, such as Norton 360 and Norton Internet Security 2009, this threat is detected with current definitions. Other security software from other vendors  may also detect this threat.

Regardless of the type of security you are using, We recommend setting the KillBit for this specific ActiveX control to always prevent it from activating. Setting this KillBit does NOT effect the normal operation of WinFax PRO. 

This is recommended if you have or do not have an installation of WinFax PRO.

If you have prior experience in setting a KillBit in the Windows registry, the CSLID for the WinFax PRO Viewer Control is {C05A1FBC-1413-11D1-B05F-00805F4945F6}

or, you can use our tool to do this for you, download our Free version of WinFax Tools.  Click “Fix Security DLL” button and the KillBit will be set automatically.

UPDATE: In a Windows XP update that was released February 9th, 2010, this security flaw was finally addressed. The actual update released by Microsoft is: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-008 – Critical Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits (978262).   If you have already downloaded this security update for Windows XP, then your system will already have the necessary ActiveX Kill bits set for the WinFax PRO ActiveX control.  You can still download WinFax Tools and confirm if the ActiveX kill bit was applied properly by this Windows XP Update. If your system has the Killbit set, the WinFax Tools program will indicate it has already been applied.

Situation: During the installation of WinFax, or when you reboot your computer, the WinFax PRO configuration wizard setup screen appears. When you are presented with the screen to enter your name, fax number and CSID, the screen disappears or the computer hangs/freezes. You cannot continue the setup, and you cannot start WinFax as the setup is not completed.

These steps apply to Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3, and all versions of WinFax PRO and TalkWorks PRO.

Start WinFax Tools (The full version of WinFax Tools is provided to all paid subscribers to the WinFax Forums. Click here for Premium Subscription Information)

1. Click on Install & Setup Tools button.
2. Click on Fix Start Up Errors button.
3. Click YES, WinFax will automatically close if active.
4. Click OK to any messages that appear, until completed.
5. Click Fix Entry Problem on the Main WinFax Tools screen.
6. Follow the on screen instructions that appear.
7. Reboot computer when done.
8. If WinFax setup appears, continue with setup. If WinFax Setup does not automatically start, start WinFax Tools, click on Install & Setup Tools button, click Start WTNSETUP button & Continue the WinFax installation.

Information regarding use of WinFax with Microsoft Vista and Microsoft Windows 7 from the WinFax Forums:  http://www.getfaxing.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=718

Technical article on Microsoft Vista and WinFax PRO: http://www.getfaxing.com/winfax/2008/11/29/winfax-pro-and-microsoft-vista-compatibility/

Technical article on Microsoft Windows 7 and WinFax PRO: http://www.getfaxing.com/winfax/2009/06/03/symantec-winfax-pro-and-microsoft-windows-7-compatibility/

Alternative to WinFax PRO is FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro 7.5, it is compatible with Windows 7 & VISTA. More details here: http://www.getfaxing.com

This is an error that causes an uninstall of WinFax PRO to fail.  This file is an uninstallation log file that is generated by a third party installation tool called Install Shield. Its automatically generated when you first installed WinFax PRO, so you won’t find this file on the WinFax PRO installation CD ROM. This log file contains all the information and settings that the uninstall program requires to remove WinFax, such as the program folder locations and features that you added or removed during the install process.

The problem is if you don’t have this file, or it is bad/corrupt, you won’t be able to successfully uninstall WinFax PRO.  The uninstall halts, and you can’t continue. You’re left with WinFax that may be partially installed.

Possible Solutions:

If you have an installation of WinFax on another working computer, you could copy the WFXUNIST.ISU to the computer where the problem is occuring.  However, both computers must be using the same folders and features.  If you installed the software in the same way on both machines, to the same folders, then this may  solve the problem.

The preferred solution is to reinstall WinFax PRO to the same installation folder, so the uninstall log file is recreated and any corrupt or missing files are recreated.  You should then be able to perform a proper uninstall after you’ve reinstalled successfully. We always recommend making a backup of your entire WinFax folder including any Data folders before attempting this if you require any WinFax information.

NOTE: WinFax PRO versions 10.02 and 10.03 also require that you must uninstall before you can reinstall the software, so the above method will not work for these versions as it will display a message that an existing version of WinFax is installed, and it will halt the install process. Since you can’t uninstall, you can’t reinstall.

If you are a premium support subscriber, we have our own tools available within our WinFax Tools program and in our premium download area to bypass this message and allow an install overtop the existing version.

Another option is to bypass the WinFax PRO uninstall completely and use the WinFax Clean utility, available in the Premium Downloads area. This program will completely remove WinFax and all related registry keys.

What is a doorway page?

It’s a link that may look legitimate and appear on search engines like Google, but once you click them, they can link you to another Web site or page that could be totally unrelated to the original link.

We’ve encountered links where you are presented with a realistic looking “Windows Security” scanner screen, where it looks like it is scanning your computer and it reports that several viruses are detected.  Clicking anywhere on the screen, including the Cancel button forces you to download and run a file.  The truth is no virus is detected, and the screen is nothing more than a animated graphic of the scanning process fooling the user that a real Windows security scan is happening.  Of course in a state of panic, the user clicks Cancel, and it asks you to run a file. This is where they get you, the trick here is if you actually do download run this file, you’re likely to be infected with malware, or worse, a virus that could potentially delete your data. Most of these doorways are a way for a scammer to take your hard earned money, but the most common are doorway pages that link to sites which try to sell you something, like illegal software downloads. A recent Google search of “WinFax OEM” resulted in some specific examples:

Symantec winfax pro 10.03 Download Cheap OEM software 8 Aug 2009 … Symantec winfax pro 10.03. Shop for cheap OEM Computer Software. Find the lowest priced Computer Software products from 100s of different …blog.student-energy.xxx/wp-includes/js/…/ymce.php?p…winfax-pro… – Similar

Symantec winfax pro 10.4 Download Cheap OEM software

5 Aug 2009 … Symantec winfax pro 10.4. Find, shop for and buy software, business software, multimedia software, and more from Discount OEM Software.com.
blog.student-energy.xxx/wp-includes/js/…/ymce.php?p…winfax-pro… – Similar

As you can see, these 2 specific links are hosted on a WordPress blog (I’ve edited the original link, to protect the owner of that domain).  The problem here is this WordPress site was compromised, the original owner is likely unaware that their site is being used as a doorway page. Once the visitor clicks on one of these links, they are re-directed to another Web site which purpose is to sell software downloads.

The spammers are using this organization’s domain as a doorway.  Not only is traffic being routed to their domain, and then re-routed to the spammer site, but they are also being used for the purpose of legitimately getting indexed quickly on search engines, like Google.  This can also damage your search ranking of your legitimate Web site once Google determines your site is being used as a doorway page.

Stuffed keywords like the following can appear on a hacked webpage:

Symantec winfax pro 10.0 smaller York Monday, August 24, 2009 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 download Buy Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 online oem Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 price Symantec winfax pro 10.0 crack Symantec winfax pro 10.0 software Symantec winfax pro 10.0 download download Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 sales serial number for Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Buy Symantec winfax pro 10.0 cheap Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 low price Symantec winfax pro 10.0 product key Buy Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 serial number buy Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 oem Symantec winfax pro 10.0 buy Don’t normally indulge statements from the two-stage rocket was nice, Gonzalez got married and fight back! One area of 2010, according to resolve it turns out how to invest in that Apple up. Kim Jung-hyun said in or hard drive, said the masterminds to users beyond those who got married and 1.4%. A judge allowed us pass those satisfied by hardware OEMs, where iLike experience will remain on glass. The console will be good a slimmer and Devices division, with a little Aug! buy Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 oem serial number for Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 rapidshare Symantec winfax pro 10.0 download Symantec winfax pro 10.0 download Symantec winfax pro 10.0 software Symantec winfax pro 10.0 crack cheap Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 keygen Symantec winfax pro 10.0 price Symantec winfax pro 10.0 sales download Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 download Symantec winfax pro 10.0 serial number Symantec winfax pro 10.0 product key Symantec winfax pro 10.0 torrent oem Symantec winfax pro 10.0 Symantec winfax pro 10.0 low price Around that Apple and designed to retain some conditions. wouldn’t pay extra to blast off the Cell processor. While it’s actually lived lavishly from the fish they moved to Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 7, but if they might adversely Lewis. The elder Gonzalez never had been working on Demand on Demand on your reporting. Bad news for 5 p reviews faqs guides find you have gotten trial.

As you can see, they stuff the keywords so Google, and other search engines rank these pages above other similar type pages related to Symantec WinFax PRO. Once the page has been indexed by the search engine using the above keywords, they redirect the same indexed link to a spam site.

These Web sites should never be trusted! Why? because if they will go to lengths to hack other sites to make money, they will likely use your credit card and other personal information for their benefit. In addition, If any site is offering an immediate download of WinFax, at any price, it is illegal. We’ve come across universities, colleges and other organizations that have hosted sites that redirect to these download sites, many of which included offers to download WinFax PRO and many other software titles after entering your personal information & credit card details.

If you are looking to purchase WinFax, do so from a legitimate vendor, or private third-party who can provide you with an original Symantec CD-ROM media from their existing old-stock.  Please see our Where to Buy WinFax in our Guides section for more details on this.

Usually, starting the WinFax Controller may correct this problem, in some scenarios you may need to reboot of the computer.  If this does not solve the problem, then your installation of WinFax is likely corrupt and needs repair.

If you continue to encounter this error we recommend using the “Fix Start Up Errors” option in WinFax Tools.

http://www.getfaxing.com/winfaxebay

NOTE: GetFaxing.com does not sell WinFax PRO software, The above link contains a listing of all current eBay listing with the search term “WinFax”.  We are not affiliated with any sellers (commerical, or private) of WinFax PRO software.

There are also Google Ad links to WinFax software on our support forums, please see http://www.getfaxing.com/forums/

Any site which offers you an “instant” download of WinFax PRO is an illegal site not authorized by Symantec to sell & distribute WinFax.  For your security, do not buy and download any WinFax software from any of these  ”OEM download” sites you might find in some search engines such as Google. Not only are you purchasing pirated software (if you actually get anything at all), but you risk exposing your personal credit card details to criminals.  The only authorized download reseller of Symantec WinFax PRO prior to 2006 was Digital River, which operated the online Symantec Store.  They no longer offer this download.

1. Start Message Manager.

You can start Message Manager using the same methods you use to start any other program running on your operating system. To start Message Manager, do one of the following:

From the Windows Start button Click the Windows Start button, point to Programs, then WinFax PRO or TalkWorks PRO, and then click WinFax PRO or TalkWorks PRO Message Manager.

From the Controller Right click the Controller icon on the Windows taskbar and click Start Message Manager on the menu that appears.
From the WinFax folder/program group  Double click the Message Manager icon or executable file (FAXMNG32.EXE).

From Windows Explorer or File Manager Double click the Message Manager icon or executable file (FAXMNG32.EXE).

2. On the Go menu, click Outbox. The Logs window opens to display the Outbox folder.

3. In the record list, click the message you want to put on hold.

4. On the Send menu, click Hold (for selected faxes) or Hold All (for all faxes in the outbox)

• To hold all scheduled messages in the record list, click Hold All on the Send menu.
• Held faxes are marked with an upheld palm icon in the Outbox.
• An error message will appear if you try to Hold a fax that is currently being sent. This is a normal message as you can only hold faxes that are waiting to be sent.

Many of you held off upgrading from XP to Vista are considering the upgrade to Microsoft’s latest operating system Windows 7, but are wondering if many of your existing applications such as WinFax PRO will work.

WinFax PRO and TalkWorks PRO (the fax/voice version of Symantec’s popular fax software) still have a strong user base and many of you don’t want to give up this powerful and easy to use desktop faxing software.

Unfortunately, Windows 7, doesn’t change the compatibility issues with WinFax PRO that were introduced with Microsoft Vista.  As expected, the same compatibility issues with WinFax PRO and TalkWorks PRO also exist with Windows 7.

We ran the Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser, this is a tool offered by Microsoft that scans your computer to determine if it can be upgraded to Windows 7. The program also scans all the existing software installed, and determines if there are any known compatibility problems with Windows 7.  The Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser, incorrectly  indicates that WinFax PRO / TalkWorks PRO has some minor issues, and to contact the publisher’s web site. . The link to Symantec’s Web site is no help as Symantec chooses to ignore the existence of WinFax or TalkWorks since they’ve discontinued the software.

Minor issues they are not. You may be able to install WinFax or TalkWorks with Windows 7, but the required WinFax printer driver will not install.  This will prevent you from accessing WinFax from any application you want to fax from, it also prevents you from adding attachmentssuch as PDFs, Word documents, Text files, images, etc. for faxing.

Windows 7  Professional and Ultimate will include the not so impressive fax utility called Windows Fax & Scan, a feature that was previously included in the Vista Ultimate and Vista Business Editions. If you’d rather update your software to a much more professional package that is compatible with both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows 7, Vista, Windows Server 2003 & 2008, Windows XP and 2000, then we recommend FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro 8 or FaxTalk Messenger Pro 8.  For more details, see our Web page at http://www.getfaxing.com/faxtalk

Windows 7 is not compatible  with WinFax PRO. There is no upgrade path available from Symantec for Windows 7 compatibility.  The WinFax PRO 10 software was discontinued by Symantec in June 2006, and no plans for future versions exist.   For information on moving to another software package that can import your WinFax data, please see http://www.getfaxing.com/faxtalk

An important update to all WinFax PRO fax users 

UPDATED NEWS : Microsoft releases “ActiveX Killbits” Security Patch for XP February 9th, 2010 (See below)

A security flaw (called a Remote Buffer overflow) with a specific ActiveX Control that is used by WinFax PRO was reported. This type of security flaw is fairly common with ActiveX controls, and effects many programs out there. Recently the same security risks were identified in Facebook & Yahoo Music ActiveX controls. The flaw allows a script (on a Web page that you visit) to execute a program on your computer. When these risks are identified, Microsoft releases a security update to the operating system that fixes these holes.

For this flaw to effect you, you’d have to 1) Have WinFax PRO, TalkWorks PRO or WinFax Basic Edition installed 2) be tricked to visiting a Web page set up with this exploit, and 3) click “Yes” to allow the ActiveX component to run (it is preferred that you don’t allow ActiveX components to automatically run, so beware and check your settings in IE)

We’ve tested the “proof of concept” test script in Internet Explorer and our AVG Anti-Virus detected it immediately and prevented the script from executing. However, one user commented to us that a carefully encoded script could bypass current Anti-virus detection. We’ve determined this Fax Viewer flaw effects all versions of WinFax PRO (from 8.0 to 10.04) and TalkWorks PRO (2.0 and 3.0) and all WinFax Basic Editions.

Symantec’s Security team response was they would not be updating the effected file since they discontinued sales and support of WinFax PRO in 2006.

How to protect myself?

We have included a free tool (WinFax Tools) which sets the “killbit” for this WinFax specific ActiveX control in the Windows registry. A “killbit” disables the WinFax ActiveX control from executing in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Explorer. This doesn’t effect the normal operation of WinFax PRO but will disable any custom written (WinFax SDK) applications that may use this WinFax Viewer Control from a Web page.

The Fix:

1. Click here to download WinFax Tools
2. Click the “No Operator Code” button when prompted
3. Click the “Fix Viewer DLL Security” button to set the “Killbit” for the WinFax ActiveX Control.
4. Click ”Yes” when prompted.
5. You’re done, and are now protected from this security risk.

This type of security flaw is common with many ActiveX components used in applications, not just WinFax. Facebook & Yahoo ActiveX controls have recently been indentified with the same risks. It always recommended to follow safe surfing practices, have anti-virus enabled and a firewall, keep your Microsoft Windows OS updated with the latest security patches released by Microsoft, don’t allow ActiveX controls to run automatically, and be aware of any ActiveX controls that you allow to run.

It’s possible that Microsoft will include a security update (which includes the Killbit) in the near future that would prevent the execution of this specific ActiveX control. We recommend you take action now, instead of waiting for Microsoft to release Killbit Security updates.   

 UPDATE March 2010: In a Windows XP update that was released February 9th, 2010, this security flaw was finally addressed. The actual update released by Microsoft is: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-008 – Critical Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits (978262).   If you have already downloaded this security update for Windows XP, then your system will already have the necessary ActiveX Kill bits set for the WinFax PRO ActiveX control.  You can still download WinFax Tools and check to see if the ActiveX kill bit was applied properly by Windows XP Update. If your system has the Killbit set, the WinFax Tools program will indicate it has already been applied.

Here are some links to interesting applications and technical articles on ActiveX controls and Killbits for those interested in learning more about “Killbits” and security issues with ActiveX controls.

Killbit Explorer application (lets you see all ActiveX controls that have killbits set.) http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/killbitexplorer

How to disable ActiveX controls from running in Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer http://support.microsoft.com/kb/240797

Article on ActiveX Controls and Security http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/security-pros-kill-activex-164?page=0,0

Symantec’s Official Report on this flaw http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/attacksignatures/detail.jsp?asid=23348