Website: http://www.zonealarm.com/ Software Provider: Check Point Current Version: ZoneAlarm 8.0.059.000 Operating Systems: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista License: Trialware
Many Firewall/OSFirewall improvements stop more attacks, pass leak tests
Enhanced self-protection. More hardening and other self-protection added to withstand an onslaught of attacks ("stability under fire")
Early boot protection - new icon with a special tooltip now appears sooner during start-up (though security is active even before the icon shows).
Enhanced: Root-kit protection within OSFirewall blocks more threats
New daily credit monitoring - monitors your credit reports daily with email alerts and reports; notifies you if there have been changes because these are often an indication of identity theft.
Newly updated Identity Protection Center makes it easier for you to protect your identity in the physical world too.
Various antivirus and anti-spyware improvements.
Performance improvements:
Anti-virus: Scan modes added so you only scan what you need, increasing scan speed by 50% while still providing superior protection
Improved reboot time, login time, session start, UI loading, various other performance improvements throughout the product.
Ease-of-use improvements:
New User Interface
One-click Fix-it button lets you fix issues instantly
Improvements in Smart Defense: Millions of applications have security access automatically pre-set so the user doesn’t have to set them
About:
ZoneAlarm is a well-regarded personal firewall product offered by Zone Labs. Like most firewall software, it alerts the user to any hacking attempts on your computer. Significantly, it also alerts on outbound attempts, when an unrecognized program seeks to access the Internet. The firewall that Microsoft includes in Windows XP lacks outbound protection, highlighting the need for firewall protection beyond what it offers. In ZoneAlarm, access requested by any program can be allowed or denied. The user can easily specify preferred inbound and outbound access privileges for various programs either as each seeks access for the first time, or at any later time. The free version of ZoneAlarm is generally recognized as a fine firewall, and is a very popular download. Zonelab's business model is to continue to improve the free basic model while offering upgrades with more features for a price.
