You Can't Afford To NOT Have A Firewall - This One Is Free!
Written: Jul 26 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Free, secure, customizable, for the most part painless to use, nice website
Cons: Kind of confusing alerts, confusing wording for some computer novices not a typical Windows 9x program, no hard copy manual
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| awoolcott's Full Review: Zone Alarm |
Let's face facts - the Internet isn't the the safest place in the world. In this day and age, of ecommerce, DSL, Home Networking, Cable Modems, Internet security is a MUST. Thankfully, ZoneLabs has created a no-frills firewall program that has a very nice price - FREE! It's that reason alone that you should download ZoneAlarm.
First off, you're wondering - What is a firewall? I would give you the technical definition of it, but it's probably a better idea to give it to you in plain English. A firewall is a "barrier" that shields your computer from hackers trying to crack into your system, and terrorize it. In essence, it "stealths" your computer from others. It also allows and disallows certain programs to use the Internet.
Why is it important? - It's especially important for users of DSL and Cable Modems. With DSL and Cable, your Internet Protocol (IP) address is fixed. Once someone gets a lock on your IP address, you can be hacked into MUCH easier. Also, while I'm not sure about DSL, a Cable modem like @Home is comparable to a LAN (Local Area Network). All the folks using the Cable Modem on the same LAN can access your files if you don't protect it. It's a potentially dangerous situation that a firewall can rectify.
But, it is also a good idea to have a firewall if you are using a regular old dial-up connection as well. It's still possible to be hacked and messed with. A firewall can stop these unruly folks in their tracks.
Now, what about ZoneAlarm? ZoneAlarm is a free, somewhat easy to navigate, firewall program. I say free because it is free for home users, and non-profit organizations. Businesses must pay $19.95 for the program. Even then, it's very inexpensive for businesses compared to Norton Internet Security and Mcafee Internet Guarddog.
It's a really speedy download, if I remember right about a 1.5 MB or so (but I can't remember what I had for breakfast. Sheeshh). The installation process is also quick and little hassle.
Once you start it up, you'll have to register it, so they can give you updates and the like.
Now, how about the program? - There is five categories to pick from the main menu - Alerts, Lock, Security, Programs, Configure.
Alerts - this is where you'd check to see the happenings of what is going on with your system. It gives you rather detailed descriptions of what is going on, just not on site. A typical alert would say something like this: "A TCP port 233.45.65.2 has been blocked by so and so". Or something to that extent. And if you want more information on the situation, click on more information. It will direct you to a webpage explaining the situation (which I admit is a bit limited, it gives the same info every time it seems). It also can create a viewable log file for use if you want to check out alerts offline (or track them over a time period). You can also set it to show the alerts as they happen in a pop-up window. Or you can periodically check from time to time from the Alert section.
Lock - From here, you can lock and unlock Internet access by programs that use the Internet as they run. You can leave it disabled so it's always unlocked, or you can set it in a few different ways. It's possible to have the lock kick in when your screen saver comes on, or a preset duration of inactivity. That is important because if you leave your computer unattended to, it has double the hack chances, especially if you have a program running. You can also set it to only allow Pass Lock (more on that in a minute) programs to access the Internet, or put on High Security and stop activity IMMEDIATELY. Nasty trick - lock out Internet access from someone who has no idea what they are doing, and watch them cuss and scream when IE won't be allowed to boot - guaranteed to agitate!
Security - There is three basic levels of security: High, Medium, and Low (no, you're kidding! It's not low, lower and lowest? What a revelation!). Obviously the highest level will do the most safeguarding, while lowest will do the least (and alerts will be more picky the higher you go). It's split into two different areas - Local and Internet. They are basically the same, outside of a couple little differences - Local is for directing directly to the internet (network connection), while Internet is for dial-up connections. You can also block Local and Internet servers. It also includes MailSafe, a program that protects you from VBS (Visual Basic Script) viruses like the I Love You (I love you too!) virus. It scans it and warns you of a possible VBS attack.
Programs - Here you can view the programs that you allow to access the Internet. As you select programs like web browsers and Instant Messengers, it will ask you if you want them to access the Internet. You can accept that one time, or allow it always. Sometimes it asks you if you want that program to act as a server as well (I always decline). Then, you can go to programs and see what's running at the time. It also gives you a rundown of what you have allowed to use the Internet for.
You can customize each program for different security levels (the old High, Low, Medium things again). Plus, you can let certain programs sneak past the pass lock and still use the Internet. From here you can also delete programs that you don't want accessing it anymore. It's easy to do - click, check, click. Even a computer dummy could do it!
Configure - The configuration mode obviously. Here you can set ZoneAlarm to start up at startup (recommended, that way you don't forget). And from here you can check for occasional updates. Sorry, this category isn't very exciting.
So, you're wondering, is there a flaw or two with this? Just one. I can't argue with a free firewall. But the whole program is a bit different than a typical Windows 9x program. It's not as intuitive as the usual. Plus, some of the wording is rather hard to follow for novices and there is no hard copy manual. It's all on the website (which is really slick looking, with tons of praise all over the place). So for non-computer geeks, it may be hard to understand.
On the whole though, ZoneAlarm can't be beat. It's a firewall that gets the job done. Plus it's free. And just who can argue with free?!
For more info, and to download, go to http://www.zonelabs.com
Recommended:
Yes
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awoolcott
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