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General discussion

zone alarm

May 19, 2005 5:50PM PDT

Hi - can you gurus tell me if I need Zone Alarm Pro or is the ordinary one (the freeware one) sufficient for an ordinary mortal? I have at present Norton AV with a current update, but it lets quite a number of virii slip by. Is the ZA better in your opinion, and if so - again - do I need the professional one? I run at present a single computer only, with XP Pro SP2, AMD 2400+ processor, 512 MB of memory and two hard disks totalling 120 Giga. Mainly chats, participating in forums, and editing plus transmitting digital photographs. All answers will be appreciated. Amos.

Discussion is locked

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Using it 8 years
May 19, 2005 7:06PM PDT

I've used the free version since 1997 now. It is easy to set up, easy on system resources and very effective (passes the very tough GRC all ports tests always).

A good firewall (any firewall is likely better than the XP standard one as that only stops incoming attacks, and does nothing if you have a virus trying to access the net to do it's damage) is your last line of defense.

Two months ago I stupidly clicked on that MSN .pif link virus that was going around. I fortunately realized I'd made an error after I clicked it. It had to access the internet to do any ''real'' damage and I denied it access through my Zone Alarm and I went unharmed-- sadly, it did send the .pif link through my friends lists and those who weren't well protected suffered due to my stupidity. But Zone Alarm saved my bacon!

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Just try it
May 20, 2005 5:00PM PDT

Try ZA free version and decide from there. I had the free version and after two years decided I wanted the Pro version and I have no regrets.

Zone Alarm has their own forum you might want to take a look at as well.

Ken

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Zone Alarm
May 21, 2005 8:21AM PDT

Just repsonded to similar thread about Norton...10 years int his forum. I too went with Zone Alarm...less bloat and used with other programs seems to be doing a good job.

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I use the free one have done for years but..
May 21, 2005 10:09AM PDT

I have found it to be a bit overzealous at times. I had to completely uninstall it to setup a DSL connection, it was preventing the system from detecting the modem even when zonealarm was disabled. It will also block applications that aren't trying to access the internet (though it will tell you that they are).

But as I said I still use it I have tried plenty of different software firewalls and I like this one because it is so aggresive and it is free.

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Just a word of caution
May 23, 2005 5:45AM PDT

You mention you have Norton AV.

I'm not sure if ZoneAlarm Free version also includes their anti-virus option as well.

If not, and you "do" go for ZoneAlarm free version, you will still need an anti-virus program.

I used ZoneAlarm free for many years and had no problems. I have now gone to their Pro version but to be honest have not needed to use ay of the extras that came with it. My ZoneAlarm does not include any anti-virus.

Mark