CNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will download a small installer file to your desktop. Remain online and double-click the installer to proceed with the actual 33MB download.
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
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All versions:
3.4 starsout of 3,152 votes
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Current version:
3.3 starsout of 45 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"REALLY bad!"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
There are none.
Cons
This program took over my computer. I could not play games I have installed because I need to have a browser opened at the same time. ZA won't allow me to do that. Its controls are impossible to understand. The computer crashed constantly. Worst of all: It wouldn't let me run System Restore to get rid of it! I uninstalled it through Control Panel and am now happily using something else. Good-bye, Zone Alarm.
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"Really messed up my computer."
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
None. It had only negative effects on my computing activity.
Cons
Almost impossible to remove. Slows my computer.
Summary
This is the second time I have tried a Zone Alarm Security combination. Both times were nightmares. Never again.
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"horrible dont gownload or u wont be able to remove it"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
free thats it
Cons
Its one of the worst if not the worst program i've ever encountered, and im having a very hard time removing it from my system, i've never disliked a program as much as i dislike this one, i wouldn't advise anyone to download zone alarm
Summary
horrible
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"Good firewall for free but complicated"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
Excellent at what it is suppose to do...being a firewall. Didn't slow down my old laptop (Dell Mini 9100 with only a 8Gb SSD), ran smoothly and in the background for the most part.
Cons
To many pop-ups. Everytime I download something or go to a new site, I had a pop up. Very annoying to me since I do a lot of research and stuff.
Summary
I would recommend this to anyone for just its firewall feature...if you have the patience to deal with the pop-ups, more power to you. I know use the Windows Firewall and Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security 2012.
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"Not what it used to be"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
I had used ZoneAlarm for years and found it to be an excellent firewall.
Cons
Version 101_065_000 is coupled with antivirus. You do not have a choice of taking the firewall without the antivirus.
When installed, ZoneAlarm wanted to close down the existing antivirus.
I decided to remove Zone Alarm instead... what a chore.Summary
Too bad the antivirus is not optional. What once was a fine product just ain't what it used to be.
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"THE WORST FIREWALL EVER!!!!"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
NONE. zonealarm, you wasted my time
Cons
I used to trust zonealarm.
Summary
I downloaded ten tests such as comodo leak test. It did even worse than windows firewall!!!!!! I reccomend pairing up vipre antivirus+antispyware and comodo firewall. If you want it free (like me) Use microsoft security essentials and comodo's free firewall, and if you want extra safety, also get malwarebytes antimalware
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"Crashed internet"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
I didn't use it long enough to know any.
Cons
Crashed Mozilla Firefox and made Explorer super slow!
Summary
I hardly used this software because right after I installed it, I couldn't use Firefox at all, and Explorer was way too slow. I uninstalled it, and the toolbar remained. I had to reinstall Firefox to get it to work again. I guess I'll look some more for a firewall to replace the Windows version that just isn't working for some reason.
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"Uninstall Crashes Internet Explorer!"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
Well the firewall seemed reasonable but the trouble started when it prompted me to try the free firewall with antivirus as well.
Cons
It prompts you to try the free antivirus so I thought I would give it a go as it could always be uninstalled.
However on uninstalling it doesnt remove it and leaves all sorts of stuff in C and in the registry!
This caused a complete loss of interenet while I sorted it out with a back up hard disk and removing the software entries from c files and the registry.
An absolute disgrace!! I might as well have loaded malware!Summary
Be warned when dowloading free software. It crashed IE 9 completely when I thought had uninstalled checkpoint/zonealarm.
It seemed you couldnt actually uninstall it properly using the uninstall functions.
A days loss of the internet and a lot of messing around to beat it. Others have reported problems. Cheers Zonealarm...get your product sorted out and thanks for the trouble you caused me. -
"Horrendous"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
There are no pro's
Cons
Lastest update slowed my computer to slower than molasses. It would take forever to execute a mouse click. Now that I uninstalled ZoneAlarm my computer is back to speed.
Summary
Do not download unless you have more patience than a monk or serving life in prison but you would probably be dead from old age by the time it executes whatever you were working on.
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"NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE!~!"
Version: ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 10.1.101
Pros
its a firewall
Cons
they took away the free internet lock.
you have less control on programs & process.
the anti-phishing tabs keeps reading "fix now & internet not secure.Summary
A disappointment compared to their earlier 9.0 version. switching to another firewall company.
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