Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' note: ZoneAlarm is free for individual and not-for-profit charitable entity use (excluding governmental entities and educational institutions). Advanced features are available.
CNET Editors' review
An effective and easy-to-use firewall program, ZoneAlarm does a great job of keeping your PC safe from a variety of threats. ZoneAlarm uses a simple wizard to make configuring a firewall, which seems like a daunting task to many computer users, incredibly easy.
Maintaining and updating settings also is a snap when you're using the stylish interface and its simple slider controls. The program's Zones feature allows you to assign different security levels for a local network and for the Internet.
A great recent addition is small but quite helpful. A new "Game Mode" lets you automatically allow or deny alerts when you're in the middle of playing a video game. We found ZoneAlarm very good at recognizing and automatically including settings for our local network.
In all our tests, the firewall guarded against all external and internal threats it encountered. ZoneAlarm is an excellent firewall choice for just about any average user.
ZoneAlarm:Publisher's Description
From ZoneAlarm:
ZoneAlarm is designed to protect your DSL- or cable-connected PC from hackers. This program includes four interlocking security services: a firewall, an application control, an Internet lock, and Zones. The firewall controls the door to your computer and allows only traffic you understand and initiate. The Internet lock blocks Internet traffic while your computer is unattended or while you're not using the Internet, and it can be activated automatically with your computer's screensaver or after a set period of inactivity. Zones monitor all activity on your computer and alert you when a new application attempts to access the Internet. Version 7.0.483 is a bug fixing release.
What's new in this version: Version 7.0.483 is a bug fixing release.
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All versions:
3.4 starsout of 3,402 votes
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Current version:
3.4 starsout of 250 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Not stable with 64bit systems"
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
None. If it does not work, it is worthless.
Cons
1. disrupts functions of IE 8.0.76.00.16385 on 64bit system
2. blocks outlook from exchange server
3. Uninstall forces reboot without proper noticeSummary
I have been using zone alarm for many years. Loved it. Don't want to use anything else. Now will not work on my 6 core Win 7 enterprise 64bit, and my 2 core win 7 enterprise 64 bit systems (fails on new install of windows on new machine before 3rd party software installed). Causes web pages to break, will not allow outlook to connect to exchange server. This product is not the same stable version we had with XP. Your IT tickets will soar with complaints. Avoid it until fixed. Just wish I had a good alternative.
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"The firewall prevents my using the internet!"
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
All except firewall seem OK so far.
Cons
Firewall!!
Summary
Unable to go online unless disable firewall. Got instructions e-mailed from customer service. This was over three pages, and I am unable to understand the instructions. As far as I am concerned, I have wasted my money and will so inform my friends. Although I followed the installation instructions to the letter, the suite prevents my using AOL which is my primary e-mail account. I can turn off the firewall and go through Internet Explorer to AOL, but am unable to go to AOL directly.
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"Poor compatibility with Vista 32."
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
V7.1.x installed in Feb '08 was working well.
Cons
Cannot complete install after upgrade to v8.0 and then regress to 7.0.483. "vsdatant.sys driver incompatible with vista32" occurs. Installl hangs up as winos blocks installation of this driver.
Summary
V7.1.x installed in Feb '08 was working well. Product features were O.K.
I upgraded to v8.0. The upgrade had compatibility issues with the prior version...required uninstalling the prior version before installing. I did that. Then the v.8.0 install caused a "blue screen of death." I rebooted and completed the v7.1.x UN-install.
Rebooted and re-ran the v8.0 install.
After just 10-40 minutes of operation, V8.0 would hungup the internet connection for just the programs IE& Firefox. Vista could not repair the connection, yet at the same time Intellicast DesktopWX could still access the internet!
Re-starting would correct the IE and Firefox internet connections for 10-40 mins., then hang up again. I got tired of this after a while, as it screwed up long running (seconds) dependent on FF (Firefox).
This got tiring so I decided to regress to the prior version of ZA.
Could not re-install the 7.1.x ZA. I did a system restore to prior to the ZA v8.0 install. Still could not reinstall v7.1 or v7.0.483, as described above.
ZA Free works well if there are no prior versions of it on your machine AND you pick the correct version of ZA Free in the first place.
I will probably move to a competing Firewall product -
"Unable to download Zone Alarm"
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
I had this recently & liked it but somehow it got deleted..I think when I added Avast it took out Zone Alarm & avast made everything V E R Y slow
Cons
Would not complete set up on my computer kept saying i needed an administrators account???? help
Summary
How can I download or why can't I???
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"Best free firewall so far"
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
This is the best free firewall that I have found that works very well with XP , and
I have tryed most of the others , that are offered for free .Cons
So far I have had no problems at all everything is running fine .
Summary
It does what you want a firewall to do and it does it well , and I tell everyone
about it . -
"this program has eliminated all my surfing concerns."
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
simply the ease of use -- the program runs quietly in the background and just doeas it's job!
Cons
so far i can't think of any.
Summary
this program has given me a good deal of self-assurance for being on the Internet ever since i started running it -- it beat hands-down my old virus program (Trend Micro) by a miile, yes!
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"Zone Alarm Failed to protect from hackers"
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
It was easy to install
Cons
No pop up whatsoever from Zone Alarm to alert that my computer had been hacked into. Protection from hackers is the most fundamental of reasons to have a firewall.
Summary
Zone Alarm did not alert nor prevent my computer from being hacked into. I was advised by the hotel, Extended Stay's, network provider, Guest Support, that their network is firewall protected when my computer began to shut down and restart repeatedly. Guest Support advised that the hacker is internal to the hotel network. I view protection from a hacker as one of the fundamental features a firewall should provide. Zone Alarm totally failed.
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"BEST EVER!!"
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
I have used the free edition of ZoneAlarm Firewall for several years now and have NEVER had any problems with my computers. It's a GREAT piece of software that protects from both incoming and outgoing problems. I wouldn't switch for anything.
Cons
There isn't anything I don't like about this program. It's simple to use, VERY effective, and FREE. What more could you ask?
Summary
I always do a clean install when a new version is released. This avoids any possible problems with the old version conflicting with the new version. I have never had a problem when doing this. Just be sure you disable the Windows Firewall that comes pre-installed on your computer. It's worthless and you want just one Firewall.
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"another of my fave pc must-haves"
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
slick, simple and smart
Cons
new one has an annoying pop up
Summary
I've used this for over 10 years now and I can't remember ever having it let me down. I recommend it to everyone know and, even though I have tried and liked Symantec, I like this one better
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"a firewalll that works"
Version: ZoneAlarm Firewall (Windows 2000/XP) 7.0.483
Pros
excellent firewall and actually doesnt block the system
Cons
big and hungry
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