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- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows XP/Vista/7
- Date added: June 25, 2010
- Total Downloads: 49,562,739
- Downloads last week: 17,316
- Product Ranking: #1 in Firewall Software
- See full specifications
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- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 2713 votes
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CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on May 23, 2010
The bottom line: ZoneAlarm Firewall Free 9.2 has gotten quieter and more effective, and should be considered an excellent tool for replacing the adequate default Windows firewall with a stronger option that includes better outbound protection, antiphishing guards, and ZoneAlarm's behavioral detection network.
The changes made to improve the default firewall in Windows 7 are impressive, but the newest version of the free ZoneAlarm Firewall argues that Microsoft still has a long way to go. ZoneAlarm 9.2 introduces multiple new features to one of the world's oldest computer security programs including quieter outbound protection, behavioral detection from the ZoneAlarm Internet security suite, automatic Wi-Fi security setting activation, antiphishing protection, an overhauled ZoneAlarm toolbar, and 2GB of online storage for free.
Installation
Program installation was largely a smooth experience, taking about 5 minutes. Users will have to reboot their computers after its done. Prior users of ZoneAlarm's paid security suites might encounter some odd behavior if the uninstallation process of one of those programs left remnants, but this should be the rare exception and not the rule.
Interface
ZoneAlarm has unified its security interfaces, so users familiar with one program won't see dramatic changes in another. The left side contains navigation links; the center window is where all the action happens. As noted in the review of ZoneAlarm Extreme Security, it's not a bad design but it doesn't pop visually. The text links can be hard to read because of font choice, and although the center buttons are big, the details within could be easier to read.
Features and support
Designed to be used in conjunction with an antivirus program, the strongest tool in ZoneAlarm's belt is the outbound firewall. Though Windows does offer some outbound protection, it's not activated by default. Most users tend to leave it off because they either don't know about it, or when they do turn it on it regularly interrupts their workflow with pop-up security warnings. Older versions of ZoneAlarm used to be noisy with pop-ups as well, but the new version has been set to be quieter without changing the level of protection. If you prefer, this can be changed in the program settings.
During a half-day of testing the default ZoneAlarm Firewall settings, the only pop-ups encountered were those blocking new software installations. The pop-ups for the three programs tested went away and allowed the installation to proceed with one click. More than just a low rate of interference, only encountering pop-ups for program installations is precisely the kind of warning that keeps you aware of what's occurring on your computer without distracting you simply for surfing the Web.
The benefits of an outbound firewall might not be readily apparent. An inbound firewall blocks threats coming in from the outside, but an outbound firewall does more than prevent your computer from spreading viruses and malware to others. If your computer has been compromised by a botnet, for example, outbound protection will stop it from sending your data back to its host servers. It can also stop program spoofing, which is when a malicious program pretends to be a good one, and IP spoofing, which is when harmful network transmissions dress up as safe ones.
This update includes DefenseNet, ZoneAlarm's behavioral detection system of anonymously contributed data that's used to verify and block threats. Previously, it had only been present in ZoneAlarm's antivirus programs. You can opt out from it when you install, but contributing doesn't negatively affect your system's performance.
The main window of ZoneAlarm Firewall Free.
(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)The ZoneAlarm toolbar has also been given more than a simple spit-shine. You can opt out of installing it when you run the main installer, and install it later if you wish, but ZoneAlarm was quick to point out that it without it key security features are not activated. Hiding the toolbar after it's been installed won't disable its protections, which include the aforementioned signature and heuristic-based antiphishing protections.
It also adds a site check option that can be used to reveal the date founded and physical location of the site and has customizable safe site buttons for launching regularly visited sites such as Facebook or your banking site. The e-mail checker built into the toolbar is compatible with Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, RR, Univision, and POP3 accounts. Unfortunately, there's no IMAP support. Finally, the toolbar links to ZoneAlarm's free 2GB of online backup space, courtesy IDrive, and six months free identity theft protection from IdentityGuard.
One of the more annoying limitations of the toolbar is that it only works with Firefox and Internet Explorer, even though Chrome has supported extensions for a year. Given the instability that toolbars contribute to IE, and the clutter that they add to the browser interface, ZoneAlarm would probably get more mileage out of the feature if it was reduced to a single button that opened a new window or expanded a set of buttons.
ZoneAlarm's toolbar revamp includes new, useful features, but it's still a toolbar.
(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)The Help link in the bottom left of the interface only links to the program's Help file. The only in-program access to the online help Web site, in the form of the free knowledge base and forums or paid telephone support during business hours, comes as a link under the Product Info sub-option under Overview on the left nav.
Performance
ZoneAlarm's performance was notable simply for how unnoticeable it was. Shutdown time did not appear to be affected at all, and neither did starting up cold nor rebooting. Changing the antivirus program that it was partnered with didn't affect the firewall's behavior, either. These are big changes from previous versions of ZoneAlarm, and obviously, they're welcome ones, too.
Conclusion
This update of ZoneAlarm Firewall Free should make people do a double-take because of the features and low interference level from the program. It also should do wonders for ZoneAlarm's reputation, but that has more to do with whether years of substandard updates can be erased by a firewall that is the strong, silent type that users need.
Publisher's description
From ZoneAlarm:ZoneAlarm Free Firewall blocks intruders and makes you invisible to hackers; stops attacks that antivirus and your default Windows security misses; blocks new viruses from sending your data (like passwords or social security numbers) to hackers; detects spoofed programs; stops hacking disguised as harmless network transmissions; works seamlessly with antivirus programs; works automatically--no expertise required; includes security for safer Web browsing.
What's new in this version:
Version 9.2.057 includes Microsoft patch for Windows 7 systems which: Resolves some issues with running two security products at once; Resolves Internet connectivity and stability issues, especially with Windows 7 64-bit systems; Improves networking support, with automatic network detection for wired and wireless networks.More popular Firewall Software downloads
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User reviews
- All versions: 3.5 starsout of 2713 votes
- 5 stars
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- 1 stars
- Current version: 3.2 starsout of 110 votes
- 5 stars
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- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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1 stars
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"Blaoted - Resource "hog""
Pros: Good firewall I think,
Cons: Heavy on the resources. Noticeably slows down my PC,
Summary: Better options out there .
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2 stars
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"Decent firewall, not on 64-bit though"
Pros: -Free
-Loads at start-up actually seem faster than previous versions
-Easy to read notificationsCons: -Slows system a bit
-*May* have caused BSOD on a number of occasions.Summary: ZA is a decent firewall, however I would advise against it right now as I've found and read far too many issues with Windows 7 x64.
I decided to give Zone Alarm Free another try, however I still find it far too buggy on Windows 7 x64.
***The BSOD that I had, MAY have been caused by ZA. The issues that I had, I read everywhere were caused by ZA. Not saying my issues were, just something to keep in mind***
Updated on Jul 27, 2010
No BSOD this time, although I didn't have them in as long, but this time I can confirm an issue I had before has something to do with ZA. When I click on an application to open, it does nothing until I click on another app then it will load both programs.
I've had in four other firewalls and had no such issues.
Updated on Jul 29, 2010Con: If you disable system restore, ZA puts it back on without asking or warning you. -
1 stars
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"Wish I'd kept my previous version.."
Pros: It is free and will actually work if one does not mind its annoying behavior at start-up.
Cons: Since updating a few days ago, I receive "New Network Detected" every time it starts. I've tried allowing it to the Trusted Zone, renaming it, and a host of suggestions from ZA's Live Chat people--even to the point of uninstalling and reinstalling.
Summary: First let me say that I am grateful for years of great service with ZoneAlarm's free firewall. However, for me there was really no solution to be found at the technical support site, nor on the user forums. I'll have to put up with the annoying behavior, or locate another firewall.
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2 stars
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"slowed down my computer"
Pros: not very much. It is a lot slower that it was a few years ago. I am running windows 7 with 2g.proc.
Cons: it slowed down my computer so much that I had to uninstall it.
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1 stars
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"Not sure if it clashes with the new version of Avast"
Pros: I've always liked ZoneAlarm in the past and it works on my other laptop running Kaspersky.
Cons: Seems to clash with Avast 5. I get the hour glass constantly if I install ZA, which is a shame as I used to like it.
The default install has a toolbar installed and I think it should not be on by default or certainly tell you it will install it. -
1 stars
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"screwed up my machine big time"
Pros: nothing at all
Cons: didn't work
Summary: Took me all day to get it running like it was before i D/L it
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1 stars
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"Kept finding (the same) new network"
Pros: Nothing at all.
Cons: Caused a problem
Summary: About a week after the update, we kept getting message new network found even though it was the same network we had. Searched on Google and fix was to completely uninstall and go back to 9.2.044.000
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1 stars
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"Old version OK. New version caused a MAJOR crash."
Pros: It made me realize how important it is to be 100% backed up at all times.
Cons: It caused my computer to freeze on installation. Zone alarm even started in safe mode to complain that my system was unstable but I couldn't reach the control panel to uninstall. I finally had to use the command line to go directly to system restore.
Summary: I used the old version which was seem to run quietly in the background. It did have annoying popups which really didn't give enough info whether it was safe to process or not. But through laziness about looking for a new firewall I did an upgrade. I should have known something was wrong because I had to install it three times. For the first two, every time I pointed to the Z in the notification area the Z disappeared. The program either wouldn't start or stay running. The third time caused a major crash; no blue screen but completely frozen. The only thing on my computer that worked was the off button. My computer wouldn't even start in safe mode by ordinary means. I had to go to the internet to find the command line for safe mode restore.
I am afraid to try installing again even though I uninstalled the previous version as someone else suggested. Now that I've gone on to a different firewall I see how really annoying the uninformative popups really were.
As I said before, the upside is now I realize how important good 100% backups are. I was really worried that my computer would never start again. Thank you Zone Alarm. -
1 stars
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"Stopped my computer working"
Pros: nothing at all
Cons: all programs became non responding
Summary: Took a lot of time to uninstal
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1 stars
6 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2.057
"Bluescreen of death"
Pros: Simple and silent
Cons: Bluescreen!
Summary: As it finishes the installation it freezes, upon reboot I got bluescreen. Reinstalled, same thing took a while for the bluescreen this time but still. Made a recovery before the installation and the computer is stable again. Seems to be the drivers for my networkcard that collapses due to the alternative drivers? Zonealarm installs.
Might add that this was on my Windows 7 64bit system.
Anyways shame it didn't work :(
Updated on Jun 26, 2010 - Write review
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