ZoneAlarm 2.6.362

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: CNET Staff

An effective and easy-to-use firewall program, ZoneAlarm does a great job of keeping your PC safe from a variety of threats. ZoneAlarm makes configuring a firewall, which sounds like a daunting task to the majority of computer users, incredibly easy with a wizard. 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 also allows you to assign different security levels for a local network and for the Internet. 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. Therefore, we think ZoneAlarm is an excellent firewall choice for just about any average user.

Publisher's description

From ZoneAlarm :

Our editors say:
ZoneAlarm installs easily. A simple setup wizard helps you configure standard Web applications, such as your e-mail client and Web browser, to access the Web without the need to fiddle with port addresses or proxy settings. After the wizard has finished doing its job, you're up and surfing. When other programs or processes attempt to access your Internet connection, a window pops up that prompts you to permit or deny access.

Of course, firewalls must protect you from incoming as well as outgoing traffic, and ZoneAlarm delivers. If an unknown outside source attempts a connection to your computer, the pop-up window alerts you to the intrusion and again prompts you to choose whether or not to grant access. Advanced users can configure these settings in the options window. Home users will have to watch the nag screen reminder while the program loads, but that's a small price to pay for this level of protection. Do yourself and your data a favor and install ZoneAlarm. Peace of mind has never been priced so right.

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