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 10.1.079 includes the following improvements:
- New user-friendly design:
- Easy for all levels of users
- Confirms protection at a glance
- Indicates security components you have and do not have
- Makes securing your computer faster and easier than ever.
- New Quick install reduces time to get started
- Web installer also shortens and simplifies entire download and install time
Enhanced Cloud Security: ... See all new features
More Popular Firewall Software downloads
- ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
6,834 downloads
- PeerBlock
1,947 downloads
- PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition
1,463 downloads
- Comodo Firewall
1,177 downloads
- Ashampoo FireWall Free
1,098 downloads
-
All versions:
3.4 starsout of 3,097 votes
-
Current version:
1.6 starsout of 18 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Don't forget the master password! If you even set it."
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
No pros...
Cons
1. I was prompted to enter a password after joining a friends wireless network.
2. I never gave it a password, so there was no way for me to know the password. So I tried my admin password. No. The only other passwords it could be. No. Gave up on that and decided maybe it wouldn't matter.
3. Tried registering a freeware program that had to connect through the internet, in order to allow the program I needed the password that I did not have.
4. Got extremely annoyed with ZoneAlarm and tried to Uninstall the application, but once again I did not have the cursed password.
5. Googled how to uninstall ZoneAlarm on Windows XP for an hour, got no where and became even more annoyed. I keep finding instructions telling me to go into the "Internet Logs" folder, which does not exist on Windows XP.
6. Gave up on life. Password Requested.Summary
Using Windows XP (SP3)
-
"Runs CPU at max."
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
Somewhat easy to use, simple interface. Easy to set up, easy to install. Stable, doesn't crash.
Cons
It runs several process that hog CPU and RAM, with names which do not identify themselves as part of ZoneAlarm, forcing the curious user to do a search on these mysterious processes. Processes like ForceField.exe (14 MB of ram), vsmon.exe (76 MB of ram, and 100% CPU). The only process actually named ZA for zonealarm is zatray.exe and it is a mere 5 MB. It's almost like they gave the hogs mysterious names to throw you off while making it appear as if ZA is super tiny.
The CPU runs at 100% anytime there is any network traffic. The over-simplified interface doesn't allow for much in the way of settings or options to try and address these kinds of problems.Summary
I will be replacing this software immediately.
-
"Frustrating!"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
It seems like it might work well (full protection) when it works
Cons
Didn't install properly
Summary
After installing, I was instructed to restart my PC. Once it restarted Zone Alarm did not come up. I played with my PC for several minutes until it completely froze up. After as many as 10 restarts and disconnecting the internet and again re-connecting it; it appeared to be working. But once I brought up my browser things began to freeze up again. In addition I had a very difficult time attempting to uninstall the program during that time. But in the end, I managed to uninstall zone alarm without having to reformat my drive. Wow!
-
"Awful sales techniques !"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
None, how can there be ?
Cons
Scareware...they mark new sites a suspicious, hoping you click the link to their purchase page.
Very nasty sales tactic that looses revenue for the site people visited...should be made illegal.Summary
Keep away from this company !
-
"I can tell you what the fuss is about"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT. ZoneAlarm has sold out the loyal user of its product with this version.
Cons
They have taken a security product and turned it into corporate spyware. The reason they now use a installer to install the product is so they can collect data on your system so they can make sure the new version can phone home. You also have to download ZoneaAlarm Extreme to get the the free version. This is going to cripple your boot time. When you boot, Extreme is going to start to load then it will discover that your only using the free version and will have to take time during the boot process to turn off all of the extreme features so you only get the free version. This adds minutes to your boot time and will drive ya crazy.
Summary
They dropped many of the features that made it a great firewall. They are using the cloud as an excuse to phone home with knows what data they are collecting on your computer usage. They have also increased the adware feature of the product. They are going to nag you to tears trying to get you to buy the even worst paid for version.
Seems someone thinks I have not tried this program and it has the same features as v9.2 or version before that. Either this person is a ZoneAlarm employee trying to cloud this issue or he has never used ZoneAlarm before. In the new version they have dropped the activity meter in the tray so many of us felt was a very important part of ZoneAlarm and not just a piece of fluff as they now call it. They dropped the remember this setting from the pop up when a app tried to access the web so it would be harder to control what is getting in and out of your puter. You can no longer make the window full size so they can hide the dropped feature and to make it harder to change things to your liking. They dropped the customized install so most user will think they are stuck with the default setting. They made it harder to find the options so they can spy on your usage. Free means free if you have to give up your privacy for a firewall, the firewall is NOT FREE. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT.
Updated on Jan 22, 2012 -
"What the hell is the fuss about?"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
Passed all online security tests I found and a leaktest from grc.com.
Application control can be set to auto or manual.
The amount of alerts can be controlled. It logs everything if set accordingly.
It has online and offline help.
New good looking icon.Cons
Interface is a bit too simple for my taste.
Doesnt have an offline installer.Summary
At first I was reluctant to try it out because of all the negative reviews, I'm glad I installed it cause there is nothing wrong with it. It works fine in my win7, 64bit. In fact, it is better than the previous version, it is now bugless. I cannot speak for XP and Vista users. As for performance, I dont notice any slowdowns with my system or internet connectivity (i5 core/4Gb RAM).
-
"Cannot Install"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
Unable to complete the install and was afraid of the sequels but was lucky enough that the unistaller was ok.
Cons
The installer freezes and the unistaller leaves active x controls behind that thanks to Winpatrol I was able to get rid of.
Now I have another great task: clean de registry...Summary
Read other comments and believe that the problems with this software are real and can damage your machine if you dont have some kind of control over the process.
Installed with no problem another free firewall that used to be great but it started blocking my av...Note that I was able to use the Norton firewall in the 90's without any problem! Gave ZA another try, installing it in safe mode (what a great installer this is...) and it's working fine but sadly cannot recomend it until this installer problem is resolved.
Complete waste of time.
Updated on Jan 21, 2012 -
"Would Not Install"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
There are no pros because it would not install
Cons
would not install; went in to lala land during "settings." Tried twice then uninstalled and bought Norton 360
-
"Missing traffic monitor and hard to install"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
Uninstalled this new version before checking out any "pros"
Cons
I was really disappointed to find that this new version was missing the Traffic Monitor Icon which I valued highly to keep track of my internet traffic. Also unhappy about the annoying ad-ware every time I turn my computer on. The installation didn't go smoothly either . Had to reboot several times to get it to work. Not sure what that was all about.
Summary
Very disappointed in this version of Zone Alarm and the company's general degradation of what use to be a really great piece of software. Can't recommend this latest version of Zone Alarm.
-
"Good for my needs."
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.079
Pros
It's free. It doesn't take up a lot of space on my computer. It asks me whether I want to load something. Even if I make a mistake and say I don't want to load something, it will let me change my mind.
Cons
None that I've seen so far. If I add Zone-Alarm Plus it will crash my computer.
Summary
Overall it's fairly decent.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
See more CNET content tagged:
Previous Versions:
