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Publisher's Description
From ZoneAlarm:
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall blocks viruses that antivirus alone misses, stops hackers attempting to break into your computer, and unlike the default Windows firewall, provides outbound firewall protection to stop spyware from phoning home and botnets from taking over your PC. ZoneAlarm Free Firewall is easy for anyone to use. It operates automatically, due to its powerful DefenseNet cloud service, so users are not interrupted with unnecessary alerts.
What's new in this version: Version 110.000.504 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.4 starsout of 3,402 votes
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Current version:
2.0 starsout of 22 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"TWO HUGE TOOLBARS! WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
Even though i did a very careful custom install, ZoneAlarm still added a huge toolbar to my firefox browser and my internet explorer browser. Surely this is illegal.
Even when i uninstalled ZoneAlarm, the two huge ugly toolbars were still there.
The software looks so awful/amateurish/childish and it is simply not to be trusted... And they are just profiteering with there silly upgrade popups.
I don't like being spied on.
AVOID!!!Cons
JUST ONE BIG CON!
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"Autonomous"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
If you know nothing about firewalls and want a piece of software to do all the work, choose this one.
Cons
If on the other hand, you have a fair idea what you are doing, you won't like the new, auto-pilot version. Previous versions would let you know when traffic was active and which app was responsible. They've removed valuable information. The logs...don't know if they are working at all, they don't record any activity. On the newest version you won't know if there is any Internet traffic at all. No more traffic indicator. Uninstalling is via the windows program uninstall, but it leaves a ton of left over garbage. And there is the highly unethical inclusion of their toolbar and home page. The opt-out was impossible to find on my monitor, but others have been able to find the blue on blue text.
Summary
Two thumbs down.
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"I don't appreciate the trickery..."
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
It's a firewall, I guess
Cons
Bloatware, Shady marketing tactics
Summary
When will software companies realize that nobody wants toolbars or other pointless crap forced on them when they just want to update something as basic as a firewall???? Yes I realize you can opt out, but it's pretty shady how that option is practically hidden. ZA must think their users are pretty stupid.
Been using ZA for 12+ years and used to love it but this kind of thing is ridiculous. Nobody wants your stupid bloatware! I'm going to look for a different firewall. Bye ZoneAlarm. -
"Not what it once waas"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
A powerful, effective, easy-to-use personal firewall. The best available. Provides more than enough protection for the average user.
Cons
Not what it once was. Some functionality, such as the internet lock, has been removed. Once upon a time, ZoneAlarm stood head and shoulders above all others. No more. Now it's only slightly taller.
Summary
ZoneAlarm's development is now driven by the marketing weasels, and not by software engineers. It, like many other security icons, has been ruined. The user will be spammed with sales emails and marketing popups. And I'm not going to forget that scareware stunt they pulled a couple of years ago.
And now they're pulling a new stunt: It would appear that you cannot install ZoneAlarm Free unless you agree to having your default search engine changed to the ZoneAlarm search engine and a toolbar added to your browser.
You can dodge that - there's a hidden out: At the bottom left of the second screen (the one after you click "Quick Install"), there's an artfully concealed link (blue text on a blue background) that says "skip all offers", and installation will proceed. You'll have a normal installation.
This is another tragic case (the list is long) of marketers killing a superb product. I'm still using ZoneAlarm for now, but I don't know of I can really trust it any more. I sure woulfn't trust it if I weren't behind a router. -
"Toolbars and highacked homepage"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
I known this product for years
Cons
Didn't like their trick
Summary
On the install page (black) there is tiny print in dark blue that lets you opt out of offers. Had to look twice but thanks to another reviewer that mentioned custom (which doesn't say custom.
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"It's free and it works!"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
Mainly silent. Works okay with Avast Free Antivirus and Malwarebytes Free. "Shields Up" gave it an all clear!
Cons
It alters your home page but that is easily recovered after installation. It also installs a "security" toolbar which can be disabled under Tools > Manage Add Ons in Internet Explorer, if you wish to do so. A star off for changing the search engine.
Summary
A basic firewall that does the required job. I tried Online Armor Free but found too many popups and a Blue screen of death when doing a scan with Malwarebytes.
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"A great product, misappropriated by users below"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
You CAN avoid downloading the toolbar. At the point of installation the bottom checkbox will allow the installation without addons.
Gives full protection for none of the cost, and it can be turned into a licensed version simply and easily (see summary)Cons
It will slow start up (although not too considerably)
The definition packages can be largeSummary
So, how to make it into practically a paid product.
1) Download "Enable!" (give it a wee google), its free
2) Open the zip and run the file
3) Go to zonealarm
4) You'll notice greyed out windows and tickboxes (available for paid version, eg. Update Frequency). Use the "Drag me!" tool and drag this over any tickboxes.
6) Select each of the handles in turn and click enable
7) These will turn black and can now be changed! -
"you can avoid the toolbar."
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
love this firewall,very easy to use,this will be my firewall from now on.
Cons
none at all.
Summary
all you have to do is click custom install,then at the bottom left hand corner click skip all offers.look very carefully i almost missed it,after clicking skip all offers,no toolbar,no homepage change.
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"Cannot install"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
Used to be good
Cons
Won't install unless I change my start page
Summary
I won't do this.
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"YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DOWNLOAD TOOLBARS OR CHANGE ANYTHING"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 110.000.504
Pros
Simple and easy interface
Cons
None that I have discovered yet
Summary
Simply select custom install, then at the bottom on the left choose to skip all offers. That takes you past the toolbar and search offers to a clean install. Most freeware tries to get you to download those offers, the concept is nothing new.
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