ZoneAlarm is no longer recommended.

[morriswindgate]

Effective immediately, SpywareInfo will no longer link to any version of ZoneAlarm firewall. SWI also recommends that ZoneAlarm not be used by any of our visitors. It has come to light in a Broadband Reports security forums post that ZoneLabs has disabled the ability of users to turn off automatic update notifications in the free version. This behavior is inexcusable and will not be tolerated.

ZoneLabs has abused this update notice in the past by using it to pitch the paid version of its products to users of the free product, rather than showing any actual software update, leading many people to simply turn it off. Now ZoneLabs has elected to disable the ability to turn it off, therefore SpywareInfo is urging everyone to elect to install a different firewall which will not nag the user to upgrade.

For those who would like to inform ZoneLabs of their opinion of this behavior, there are several addresses published at http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/contact.jsp

If, at a later date, ZoneLabs removes the automatic update notifications from its product(s), then this page will similarly be removed.

[SARGE]

I finally sprung for the "Pro" version. ;)

[Force Flow]

*Whistles* That's something...

I guess Sygate takes the lead now for a free firewall. :p

I noticed on some other threads about ZoneAlarm having spyware too. Is this confirmable?

[morriswindgate]

Spyware Info is one of the best sites about security and the latest trends in this garbage. Great Tools downloads. If you haven't been to the site visit below and don't forget to bookmark

http://www.spywareinfo.com/

[Force Flow]

Thanks, morriswindgate. Bookmarking now... ;)

[dldz]

Thanks Morris, although I stopped using ZoneAlarm awhile back I am always interested in something comparable I hate the Norton one.
Don

[morriswindgate]

www.sygate.com and download SygatePE it is free, works like ZA, and to me has a lot more information.

[dldz]

I was just going there now Morris :D thx again
Don

[lil Jimmie]

My one year 5 user licenses expired last month with ZA PRO and after checking prices I went with Sygate Pro.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Weird! I was about to begin downloading ZA when I stumbled upon this thread. I am glad I did drop by here today. I seldom visit this forum.

[Cruelcamper]

Ha ha! I never trusted or liked ZA, I always thought it was the biggest piece of crap and overhyped firewall. If you want a real firewall get Tiny Personal Firewall 2.x, its free and it smothers ZA in protection because you can have total control. Although I dont recommend Tiny Personal Firewall 3 cause that one sucks and it isnt free. If you search around you can usually find some place that still has 2.x for download, I keep a copy burned in cd, so I will always this great piece of software.:D

[Sumdumgi]

Zone Alarm Pro has always been a champion for me. Gibson research a security guru thinks it pretty good to. It locks down my pc like nobodys business. Gibson research has some free small programs you can download that will check out just how safe your firewall is. Go here (http://grc.com/default.htm) to test your pc.

IMO Norton and McAfee are the worst at protecting your pc.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Well, I installed Sygate and my PC passed all the tests!! :)

[morriswindgate]

Sygate uses the same logic as ZA, but the interface is a little more geekie as are the controls. Which basically means that it's not harder to use but the options can get deep.

[mairving]

The automatic updating thing is getting old. MS has included Automatic Updating in Windows Update now. I have had some severe problems at work with people with Windows 98 machines. We use Outlook as the email client. Well after the Automatic Update on these machines, the default client for email is Outlook Express.

[glc]

I think this issue is overblown - you still have to approve the download. I don't mind a FREE program trying to sell you an upgrade unless it becomes obnoxious - like Opera just did with their talking ad banners.

[SARGE]

Originally posted by glc
I think this issue is overblown - you still have to approve the download. I don't mind a FREE program trying to sell you an upgrade unless it becomes obnoxious - like Opera just did with their talking ad banners.

You got that right - Opera is history on this old pc.

[Hot Rod]

I switched over to Sygate a couple of months ago and have been very happy with it. I never really had any problem with Zone Alarm though.

[doubledragon5]

Wow is that something, I just downloaded ZA Pro freee 30 day trial. I decided to boot for now NIS because of the problems I have been having and no real fix is in sight. I bought the NIS 2003 but have not installed it yet.

I did some research and product reviews on Nortons and Zone Alarm and both have had good ratings. Nortons does seem to have a lot of complaints especially being a resource hoger, and causes some people to have real slow downloads. My problems right now does not seem to be fixable, I have done everything Nortan said to fix it and haven't had any luck, so that is why I'm looking or a alternet for personal security. Next I need a good Antivirus software. I will also check out the sygate version also.

Thanks DD

[ezmerelda]

I found ZA to be a resource hog, Ditched it.
I'm now running Kerio, and it's working fantastic



http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_overview.html

[doubledragon5]

Does sygate prevent pop-up adds like ZA does?

[TwoRails]

I've never had a problem with ZA Pro, and I still have about 2 years left to go....... :( :)

[Confused]

I just stick a router between me and the outside and don't worry about outbound.
Chas

[doubledragon5]

Originally posted by ezmerelda
I found ZA to be a resource hog, Ditched it.
I'm now running Kerio, and it's working fantastic



http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_overview.html

I noticed you said it is a resource hog, I found that ZA took a while to show up on the desktop, which hampered my ability to start programs until it was fully loaded. Now I found a tweak that will have ZA on my destktop quicker than other programs and my ability to start programs is a lot quicker. I went to www.tweakxp.co They have a tweak called "Slow Start Up Using Nortons Internet Security 2002". Well I found out on my own that it also works with ZA, and probably works with other firewall software that causes your system not to be fully ready even if your at your desktop.

Here is the tweak the tweal works for XP Home and Pro

Start>Connect To>Show all Connections>Lan or High Speed INternet> Choose Local area connection.>right click and choose properties. Under general tab choose TCP/IP than properties. check box Use The Following IP Address. In IP Address enter the following 192.168.0.1 In Sub Mask enter 255.255.255.0

Anyone having that problem should try this tweak.

Thanks DD

[glc]

Seems to me assigning that static IP to an active LAN connection is very likely going to disable its functionality. Could you please post a valid working link to that article?

[Force Flow]

Originally posted by doubledragon5
Does sygate prevent pop-up adds like ZA does?

When I run it with IE, I don't get too many.

With Opera, I get next to none. :p

[doubledragon5]

glc I found that tweak at www.tweakxp.com In the search box type "Slow Start Up Using Norton Internet Security 2002". I went there today but they are having a problem displaying that link.

[glc]

That's fine - if your local area connection isn't connected to anything. This is like the old tip for Win98 if you had a NIC that wasn't used. If it's used for your Internet connection it definitely will knock out your connectivity.

[doubledragon5]

My local area connection in not connected which is a good thing about that tweak. I have a DSL which is connected to my other nic connection. I have two on this machine.

[High Commander]

Lets see... the free ZA was good enough until this little to do about the auto update thing. Okay, so their pitch for the paid product is a little less than forthcoming but, don't be so quick to recommend to not use it. Simply state the facts, the choice is there for anyone to move on to the next free thing. No need to form a posse and surround ZA. I imagine that in the next year I will see the same about Sygate or most other software that is currently free. NOTHING IS FREE!

[doubledragon5]

I'm still using ZA Pro for 30 days. I might buy it later on. Another thing glc when I finally got my router set up that static ip address I used to help speed up the boot process because ZA like Nortons would take forever. Well now with the router running the tweak is no longer need, Za start up as soon as windows appears.

[rapidarp]

*snaps fingers* Crud! ZoneAlarm was my favorite firewall. Now I have to pick between Sygate, BlackICE, and Norton Personal Firewall.


rapidarp

[Cricket]

Don't forget Kerio Personal Firewall.

:) Cricket

[glc]

Blackice isn't a firewall, it's just a monitor that screams at you every time someone looks at you and doesn't block squat.

[ladyjeweler]

Hi morriswindgate! Thanks! : I'm a new member and was looking at some old posts and found this one. Thanks again!


Jeannie