Customer Reviews

ZoneAlarm PRO 2006

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have been using the "free" version of this software for years. It has become a critical component for all of the systems I work on. The Pro version offers a little more functionality and features than the "free" version. It works beautifully in protecting your system. I would not recommend using a computer on the Internet without it.

The updated features for the Pro version are: Spyware protection and E-Mail protection. It also monitors your installed Virus Protection to make sure its up to date. Another nice feature is that it has Identity Data Protection, which will protect your sensative information like credit card numbers.

If you are unsure whether or not you need this program, check out their website and try the "free" version. The free version does not have any special "extras", but will help to demonstrate why its such a valuable program to have on your system. Purchasing the Pro version will unlock all of the features mentioned above. Keep your system safe!

I was hesitant to use a firewall program because I thought it would be a nuisance. I tried several trial offers from other firewall software programs, but found ZoneAlarm Pro 2006 the most user friendly.
Once you install it, you have lots of options on how much security you want to put in place. ZoneAlarm Pro 2006 is definately a software program you need to get if you want to protect your computer from spyware, hackers and virus attacks.

I've used Zone Alarm for 3 years - the latest version was quite annoying but the update solved the problem. Zone Alarm gives a lot of control, but you have to learn it like any program. The complaints I see are from people who don't quite understand the inherent power of the program giving you complete control of how you protect your computer. Its like using word - the first time you use it - figure out the nuances.
It is true that Zone Alarm asks a lot of quesions, and you can figure out what you want to start and not start. You can turn off options and otherwise you can let it control. I've uninstalled it without problems. BlackICe is very similar - but I like Zone Alarms interface better. You can also use program control to select what options for a program to run and to shut down worms. Its a powerful program - but like any elite program you have to spend time to learn it - (or run it blind).

Not a bad product, the only problem I am having is that the automatic updates do not work. Have to manually download updates from the website.
I suppose I am getting better protection if i am using a Pro version, but not really sure.
Spyware never seems to update when i click on the "update spyware" link, alwasy reads "not responding".
If I could go back in time, I would have stayed with the free version.
I wouldn't recommend it nor would I buy it again.

I've been using the free version of Zone Alarm for some time but found a deal on purchasing the Pro version, which also was "free". There seems to be little difference between the Pro and free version--although the Pro also has anti-spyware. The anti-spyware updates frequently so that is a good deal for someone that has no anti-spyware running on their system. I recommend you try the free version if you don't need anti-spyware, see how you like it, and whether it's worth upgrading to this Pro version.

No operational problems. Minor problem with product update service displaying expiration in negative days.

I just go the Sept. 2006 Consumer Reports magazine. ZoneAlarm was rated the best for all-around protection. See pg. 27.

Free is always good especially if the firewall is "high-rated" by many publications. I am an old firewall "wolf", so I know "ins" and "outs". I installed the free version of ZA to several home and small business PCs as well as to my laptop. I did not have any problem until I have decided to install it to my own, main PC at home. The installation requests to reboot the PC. My PC is configured carefully and protected with various programs: registry cleaner, anti-spyware, anti-virus, and hardware-based firewall. It happened the first time with my PC when after reboot I've got only blinking cursor. Wow! Is that "something", or not? I had to power the PC down 2 times (!), booted in the Safe mode, rebooted, powered down again, and only then the XP Pro got back to normal. In spite of some booting problem (that I did not contributed to ZA at that time), after 2-3 days of functioning with ZA, I have decided to look at the buying options (eBay and Amazon - the most reasonable prices). Thanks to all reviewers, I have decided NOT to buy the product, especially because I know that the "blinking cursor" problem was attributed by the firewall software (and it's not a good sign), and also because it is the Check Point's product, and obviously the technical support is provided by Check Point. I know this company for a long time; I am the Check Point Certified Engineer. I highly respect the original, industrial strength Check Point's firewall (NGX, etc). The ZA is a product that was acquired recently. What I have experienced myself that Check Point's technical support s**ks big time. I assume, the same situation is with Zone Alarm, so, I'll use the free product until I will find something better or until it fails again. Maybe version 2008 will be better?

I bought this product because I had downloaded a demo version from their site that worked pretty well. I had to reformat and reinstall my programs, and when I tried the product again, it slowed the internet connection to the point of it being useless. I have since removed the software, and I am a bit reluctant to install it again on the system, even though I have the licensed version, afraid that it will mess things up to the point of having to reformat and reinstall, which would be a small catastrophe in my case. The first time worked like a charm, the second time it was awful. I don't know what to do with it now. I am waiting for a "computer wiz" friend to help me decide if it is a good idea to install it or not.

I was given Zone alarm as part of a package with another piece of software that I needed for work. From the minute I installed zone alarm I knew it was a mistake. Zone Alarm has two modes: 1. Mother in law mode- it wants to know what you are doing, what you are looking at, how you are doing it EVERYTHING which makes configuring it a big task. The other mode it has is annoying child mode: in this mode it is attention seeking and will bombard you with questions when all you want to do is use the net.
If this wasn't enough to give you second thoughts then uninstalling zone alarm is an even bigger task. The thing will not go quietly and, even after installation, it was still blocking all of my messenger programs and my ping requests. The internet is full of frustrated pc owners trying to find a way to completely uninstall it and remove all of the little obscure files it litters your computer (which I had to remove manually by searching for each one in turn) I dare you to type 'uninstall zone alarm' in to a search engine and see what you find. Zone alarm is one of those peices of software which has gotten worse in more recent versions (partition magic is another), the earlier ones were great and easy to configure but now zone alarm is the main attraction and heaven forbid you wanted to look at anything on the net without being asked a list of questions first.
Their are better firewalls than zone alarm e.g. Black ice. Just look through the reviews on Amazon