- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (15-day trial); $29.95 to buy
- Operating system:
- Date added: January 10, 2007
- Total Downloads: 42,955
- Downloads last week: 9
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 21 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
This security program promises an innovative approach to preventing malware infections on your PC, based on restricting application access to system files. By focusing on prevention instead of detection, claims the publisher of WindowZones, the program offers a stronger line of defense against attacks.
WindowZones works by restricting an application's access to system files and settings via user account control, and it claims to inoculate for both known and unknown species of bugs out there: Internet Explorer security holes, identity-thieving hackers, rootkit installations, and the usual spyware and adware assaults.
The interface that allows you to assign "zones" to your programs is modern and sleek, with tabs on the left and an uncluttered layout in the central pane. When you start the program, all apps are placed in the "Administrative Zone," where programs have full access to all system files and resources. You can then move them at will and without restarting to the "Safe Zone," where modifying system files, changing the registry, and drive-by downloads are verboten.
In theory, WindowZones should remove the need for regular virus scans, and possibly even firewalls. Since this is the first release, though, we recommend hedging your bets and sticking with more tried-and-true defenses.
Publisher's description
From ByteCrusher Labs :The most dangerous security risks on the Internet are brand new viruses and spyware. These must be detected by the anti-virus or anti-spyware providers and your system updated by them with new threat signatures. This process often takes hours and sometimes days to complete. Similarly, new security defects found in your Web browser can leave your machine exposed for weeks before they are patched. WindowZones requires no updates to give you robust protection against viruses and spyware for all of your Internet applications, including browsers, e-mail programs, instant messengers, downloader programs, and more. Working in conjunction with your anti-virus and anti-spyware products, WindowZones patent-pending technology restricts an application's or Web site's access to your system files and settings, providing effective protection against the newest threats while you await anti-virus updates. Say "Access Denied" to viruses and spyware with WindowZones - your first line of defense.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.6 stars out of 21 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 18 user reviewsSee all 18 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowZones 1
"Amazing... don't use your PC without it!"
Pros: I've protected all my internet facing apps (IE, Outlook, Messenger), and now they're fully locked down. There seems to be absolutely no performance hit, which is great.
Nice UI, easy to use. I also like that as opposed to some alternatives, the locked down apps still run as "me", but without any admin powers, so all of my links and favorites are still there.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowZones 1
Pros: Love it. Easy to use. I had a problem with the license key and received great support! Feel a lot safer with it running!
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1 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowZones 1
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowZones 1
"A must have if you stay with Windows XP"
Pros: This new security tool is a must-have if you are sticking with Windows XP and not soon upgrading to Vista.
I am impressed by this inventive approach to securing Windows XP (I know I could run completely as a non-admin, but many of my programs will not work then). This program basically brings a new Windows Vista feature, Vista's User Account Control security, back down to Windows XP. And I bet that's a feature Microsoft is not planning to back-port themselves.
If regular anti-virus products worked so well, we wouldn't continue to have these big virus outbreaks. My removing PC admin rights from Internet applications, WindowZones basically knocks the teeth out of any virus that successfully makes it by your anti-virus software.
Cons: I'd like to see more notifications of when it stops an Admin action from occuring.
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1 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: WindowZones 1
"why isn't it Vista compatible?"
Cons: I can't try it, Vista has been available to the public since November 2006 and as a pre release beta version prior to this.
- See all 18 user reviews Write review
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- adware,
- anti-spyware,
- defense,
- rootkit,
- spyware


