Zone Alarm Pro 4

by Riverdeep

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009APND
• Item model number: 382666
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 22, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,069 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #84 in Software > Networking > Security
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Would you leave your home unlocked and unattended? Of course not. Security precautions are just common sense, especially when it comes to online computing. Internet threats such as hackers and Trojan horses can steal passwords, social security numbers, financial records, and more right from your computer.

Protect your PC with award-winning ZoneAlarm Pro 4 – the easiest, most powerful ZoneAlarm ever. In just a few keystrokes, shield your system from dangerous scripts, malicious hackers, intrusive cookies, and the annoyance of unwanted Internet ads. A host of bold new features ensures rock-solid protection from the full spectrum of Internet security threats. Ideal for dial-up, DSL, and cable connections.

Features:

• Trust Outbound MailSafe to monitor outgoing email for virus-like activity and stop the problem before it does damage
• Get to the source of the problem with Hacker ID; a powerful tool that tracks hackers who attack your PC, helping you to report serious offenders to your ISP
• Hard-drive cleaner removes temporary files, search history, recycle bin files, and other file clutter from your computer
• Use the Cache Cleaner to rid your system of unwanted temporary files, search histories, cookies, and other potentially hazardous clutter such as cookie-based spyware
• Optimized processing for ad-blocking, cookie control, and protection from third-party spy sites while you surf
• Automatic VPN configuration detects VPN connections and sets your endpoint security for maximum protection
• Work smart with Automatic Network Detection Wizard; an easy 3-step process for safe network configuration
• Gain the ultimate control of firewall rules and settings with the Expert Rules
• 12 months of free cutting-edge security updates (12 months of updates available through 8/31/05; product registration required)
• Prevent email-borne viruses from spreading with MailSafe protection – guards against 47 types of suspicious attachments
• Stealth Mode hides your computer from hackers on the Internet
• Make smart security decisions with the help of the improved AlertAdvisor
• Secure the protection you need in minutes with Quick Start Tutorials and Program Wizards

Additional Information:

Even a computing novice can easily install and run ZoneAlarm Pro 4 – but this advanced security software is powerful enough to protect the most sophisticated user.

• Shield your system from intrusive cookies with improved cookie control; move safely from one network to another with Automatic Network Detection – essential for mobile computing
• Protect your privacy with customizable restricted zones that block known IP addresses from accessing your network
• Trust Application Control to prevent rogue applications from putting your valuable information in the hands of hackers
• Tailor your security to meet your needs with customizable security levels – from 'set-and-forget' to complete custom control
• Rest easy with complete password protection
• You don't have to live in fear of hackers and data thieves; if you're savvy enough to use a computer system, you're savvy enough to protect it with ZoneAlarm Pro 4 – the security solution to trust

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars PRESENT USERS DO NOT BUY THIS!!!!, May 5, 2004

By 

S. McCrea "s_mccrea" (Henderson, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zone Alarm Pro 4 (CD-ROM)

If you are using Zone Alarm's latest release you WILL not be able to use this boxed version to extend your update access; nor will you be able to bring your version up to the current one after installing this boxed version--both of which happened to me.

(The current version is 4.5.594.000; which fixed a bug discovered by certain nitwits trying to use a Consumer product to protect commercial email servers; DO NOT USE ZA TO PROTECT YOUR SERVERS; GET A NAT OR PROXY SERVER)

The version number of the boxed release is 4.0 something and if you try to install it--even AFTER you uninstalled the NEWER version, wait, it gets sillier--you won't be able to access ZoneAlarm's update servers. Not only that, after I tried to update it with my previous version, it refused to install (and this was tried on multiple computers with the same result). So not only does this boxed version deny you access to ZA's updates but also is unable to be updated--and this was after I used WinDelete to make sure all of the NEWER version had been removed from registry and the myriad Windows subfolders XP likes to put files in. (Unlike some reviewers, I didn't even get to the mess with the activation code!)

So, in sum, if you have a version newer than 4.1, you'll not be able to use the prog in this box. Perhaps it would work on a clean machine but I don't know.

This leaves you without current protection making you vulnerable to hacks designed to work around ZoneAlarm. Which defeats the whole purpose of shelling out the cash in the first place.

Bottom line: ZoneAlarm software: FIVE STARS
Broderbund boxed version: MINUS FIVE STARS, since that's not an option: ONE STAR.

After a little trouble with Amazon's customer service I convinced them that they had sold me a useless product (something akin to selling me a carbeurator for my '04 Mercedes). I was able to get a full refund without the credit card company rigamarole. So, another gold star for Amazon's reasonableness.

But forget this product. Got to ZoneAlarm.com and buy the download/subscription version. You'll receive the latest version in a small executable (less than five MB so even Dial-Up people can download it in a reasonable amount of time; as always use a good download manager with your dialup connection) and/or a CD if you wish.

Fifty bucks may seem a little pricey, but ZoneAlarm has repelled literally hundreds of hacker probes (up to ten a day)in the years I've used it. It's also stopped dozens of programs from trying to send unknown information for unknown purposes. Certain companies are worse than others about this; you'll see it once you've got a current version running.

No prog can access the net without your permission.

Even if you've never used ZoneAlarm, avoid this box. Broderbund's Customer Service (since ZA itself only does tech support, CSR on downloadable subscriptions) is almost universally detested as even a casual reading of most of these reviews will show.

I saw a "4.5" version of the Broderbund box at BestBuy this weekend, but I still would go directly to this source. Why go around the mountain to go next door?

Finally, Zone Labs/Intermute is a great company that makes great software which I've been using (starting with Ad-Subtract, most of whose functions have been incorporated in ZoneAlarm Pro) for nearly seven years know.

And, in that time, I've found their email tech support to be fairly quick and helpful. Having done tech support I can tell you that selecting the proper number of support staff is essentially impossible. Therefore, a spike in need for Support's services can cause delays. Just be patient; they've always gotten around to my issues.

And please, be polite. The poor schlub making $10 bucks an hour on the phone or who's routed your email has no control over anything. Tech Support reps are the serfs of the IT industry and they never cease reminding you of your lowly condition. So keep that in mind the next you feel like going off on the poor 19 year old in Arkansas who's undertrained, underpaid, over-bossed with supervisors' constant reminders of dispensibility ringing in the ear. Sorry, that was off topic. Call it my pro-Tech Support Rep rant and my respect for those still doing this thankless, worthless job!!!

54 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I've never been this emotional about software before!, November 13, 2003

By 

R. romanenko "notyournamehere" (orange park, fl United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zone Alarm Pro 4 (CD-ROM)

Ok maybe in college with a program due the next morning. But that was over 15 years and two computer science degrees ago.
Used Zone Alarm for about 8 months. Like it said, "Its yappy at first then settles down." Seemed to work ok. The help is weak and, as other posters point out, tech support is laughable. It will prompt you to allow this, that, and the other program access to the internet. Which is fine if you know things like onij.exe need access to the internet or not. I found that their meager database recognized the program perhaps 1 out of ten times when the additional help button was clicked. So a fair amount of expermentation is called for.
That's the good part. Late last week it got a wild hair and shut down my internet access. Could still get e-mail and access to my local net (ether and wireless), but just presented a bs message in my browser. The message included an estimate of how long it would take to "fix" my system. Their guess: 5-15 minutes. Actual elapsed time: 84 hours! Total man hours approached 15. This is after following all the crap in their html page, then !!!FAXING!!!! them my problem and waiting for a response. Wasn't faxing banned in the 20th Century? This was followed by an e-mail directing me to hand delete no less than 19 of their files in various subdirectories. (I tried to get it off of my system using Add/Remove Programs, but their uninstall failed. Interesting that throughout this process they never mentioned that I try their uninstall.) Of course, we have the 50 reboots that are required for anything done on a windows box. Sprinkled in booting in safe mode a few times to delete more files that were locked and undeleteable with a full windows load. Its times like this that I wish I would have gotten that law degree. Please, DO NOT BUY THIS SOFTWARE. I have never felt compelled to post an online review of anything until this piece of ... crossed my path. If you work for ZoneLabs, please go find another McJob. This is the most user-hostile program I've ever had the misfortune to come across. I mean no disrespect, but I can only concur with malenor that reviewers with positive ratings may not have used the program long or are somehow associated with the company. I still wince every time I bring up my browser, waiting to see that my internet access is blocked by zone alarm. Thanks for reading, hope it helps.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST SOFTWARE FIREWALL- yes, but novices beware, February 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Zone Alarm Pro 4 (CD-ROM)

Product under review: Zone Alarm Pro 4.0 (ZAP 4, retail boxed version)

PROS:

1) It is the BEST firewall software currently available.

2) The program is small, stable, very user configurable, efficient and effective.

3) The latest versions are packed with features that go beyond just a software based firewall solution to include mail safety, password protection, cookie control, popup ad blocker, cache cleaning, and extensive privacy features.

4) Coupled with good Antivirus software such as McAfee AV, Norton AV, Kaspersky AV, etc. , Zone Alarm Pro 4 enhances PC security and privacy to the highest levels.

5) Also works great for privacy and firewall protection on small to medium sized business networks, public wireless access networks such as airports, or for remote internet dialup connections.

6) Frequent updates (if accessible) keep Zone Alarm firewall secure against the latest hacker, virus and worm attacks.

7) More easily customizable than "hardware only" based firewall solutions while still retaining the most advanced firewall features.

CONS:

1) The software can be confusing for the pure novice computer user to set up and use if the right options are not chosen during installation.

2) ZAP 4 requires interaction of the computer user during the "learning phase" of configuration to enable friendly programs access through the firewall to the internet. Not allowing the correct degree of access to these programs may prevent those programs from working properly.

3) Retail version of the ZAP 4 CD comes with a crippled activation code that works fine for the older version on the CD you just purchased but you are required to register for a new code which is sent to you by email before your are able to download the newest versions of ZAP. If you do not receive a code by email you will have to go through customer service.

4) The customer service seems not to be very responsive and it will require a great deal of time and patience to get any productive help out of them if you do need help. They would rather run you through a number of canned email responses before allowing you to access their "real people" help.

5) As with any software based program there is always a possibility that it can be "shut down" either accidently or due to faulty loading during the computer's startup phase. This would leave your computer vulnerable as if there were no firewall at all.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1) Ask for the help of an experienced computer user for both the setup and the after-install configuration of the ZAP software. This is especially true for anyones computer on a LAN (local area network) where others require access to your computer from other computers on the same network.

2) Users of an "always on connection" to the internet such as broadband DSL or Cable should consider ALSO using one of the simple hardware based firewall routers using NAT (network address translation) such as the Linksys or NetGear brands along with the Zone Alarm Pro and Antivirus software.

3) Be very careful during the sign up and activation phase of installing ZAP 4 so that you actually do receive an activation code at your valid email address for new and future updates of the software. Users with anti-spam filters should be especially careful that ZAP 4 update activation key code email is not rejected by their filters on the email server.

4) If you have an always on broadband internet connection such as DSL or Cable OR if you are connected to a larger public or private LAN or a corporate computer network you should consider enabling ZAP's automatic internet lock feature which prevents any inbound or outbound network activity when you are away from the computer for an extended period of time.

CONCLUSION: When Zone Alarm Pro has its update activation code by email problems fixed and customer service becomes more helpful I will be happy to award it a perfect five out of five stars but for now it gets 4.9 stars from me (rounded up to five stars as displayed). Regardless of it having a few annoyances, as of right now Zone Alarm Pro 4.x is the best software firewall you can use on a Windows based PC.