ZoneAlarm's 2010 suites include encryption

Best known for its ZoneAlarm firewall, Check Point Software has announced updates for ZoneAlarm's more full-featured security suites. Available in two versions, ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2010 gives users a robust firewall, antivirus and antispyware, and parental control package for $50, while ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 adds Web browsing protection, system tune-up tools, backup options, and anti-phishing technology for $70.

ZoneAlarm is still best known for its firewall, but it currently offers users much more than that. See what's available in ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010, which is similar to but has more features than ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2010.

ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 in pictures

ZoneAlarm is claiming faster performance in its antivirus and antispyware scans because it has unified them, something that its competitors did awhile back. The company says that users should expect scans to be 80 to 90 percent faster. The Internet Security version lacks access to a free add-on for laptop hard drive encryption, doesn't have keylogger protection, is missing browser-based safeguards, and has far fewer anti-phishing options.

Other features in the Extreme Security edition include an identity protection module to encrypt personal information and alert you when it leaves your computer--as well as helping you set up an eBay fraud report, if you're an eBay user. There are also an outbound e-mail alert, in case your account gets hacked, parental controls, and the browser toolbar for Firefox and Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, the browser protections only work in those two browsers. The toolbar comes with a private browsing option, but it's not entirely clear how it's different from the ones that already come with the host browser.

ZoneAlarm's main interface tucks quick access to key features at the bottom of the left nav.

(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)

Of course, ZoneAlarm's well-known firewall is included, and after spending half a day with it on a Windows 7 computer I didn't notice any of the usability problems that have notoriously plagued it. That doesn't mean they don't exist, of course, but I didn't experience them on the latest version during a short period of testing.

In terms of threat detection and removal efficacy, independent data isn't available yet for this version. On ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2009, the program scored better than average but not in the upper percentiles on malware detection, removal, response times, and only average on false positives. In my empirical testing of scan times, I noticed that the quick scan was extremely fast--it took less than 30 seconds. The full scan was fairly quick, too, taking about 20 minutes. The two deep scans that are available scan all data on the computer including archives, and appropriately they both took upwards of 90 minutes.

ZoneAlarm's trial period is shorter by half than its competitors, but if you're looking for brand-name protection ZoneAlarm isn't a bad place to start.

Tell me about your security suite preferences in the comments below.

[zmjman08]

who still pays $50-70 for security software when there are so many free alternatives that work just as well?

[Mr. Dee]

The last time I used ZoneAlarm was during the Windows 98 days and I immediately took it off my computer when it started interfering with my Internet Connection, browser and Outlook Express. Since I get what I need in Windows Vista in terms of robust security, all I need is a third party AV and I'm done. No need for this paranoia gimmick.

[Smoaky]

Please be careful, Vista firewall ONLY blocks incoming threats and you have no control over it. No outbound threats will be blocked. So If your PC is compromised and becomes a zombie you will have no control over what leaves or enters your system!! <br />Try this <br /> http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/ <br />It will give you a more hands on control of what is coming and going on your PC and it still uses the original Vista firewall it just gives you more control of what is going on with your in and outbound traffic.

[FF2009]

I couldn't agree more. It's all paranoia, and this companies are making money off people who dont even need it. <br /><br />on my XP box all I have is the built-in XP Firewall and a Windows defender. I have yet to get any spyware or Viruses.

[Anthony 110]

Well this can be true for those who have no open ports or are not running and servers, for me I have an FTP server (which random people try to login about every half hour), and I also have data that needs to be secured in order to be compiant with PCI standards and corporate security policies. A firewall is a needed tool, the old ones were a pain but new ones automatically learn programs and are practically seamless. There is no "gimmick" going on here, if you are not behind a router not having a firewall is stupid. If you do have a router, SPI and NAT, among other firewall protocols should do you fine. However to the poster who says it is paranoia is crazy, you have not found any viruses on your machine because windows defender sucks for detecting virus'. <br /> <br />A firewall is a cirtical tool in keeping your PC safe, some might not care about their data or leave ports open so hackers can get in, but I for one dont want my personal info circulated more than it already is.

[yahayaha]

"by Smoaky August 31, 2009 10:08 AM PDT <br />Please be careful, Vista firewall ONLY blocks incoming threats and you have no control over it. No outbound threats will be blocked. So If your PC is compromised and becomes a zombie you will have no control over what leaves or enters your system!! " <br />Windows Vista's firewall can also block outcoming threats using Windows Firewall with Advanced Security which can be found under Administrative tools. However, I'm not sure of what can it block.

[Fire Balls]

@ Smoaly Vista only block imcoming threats by default but you can enable it to block both incoming and outgoing. type wf.msc into your run diag boc and you can enable it from that interface. Now it will not warn you that it is blocking a progam so you will need to write an excpetion to the allowed rules for any program that needs network access. This is very robust and will even block services for programs unless enabled

[Smoaky]

In today's economy it is best to look for a bargain without the expense of compromising your computers security.<br />Too many "security suites" rely on long their ago reputation of being secure and safe , and expect everyone to pay what they want to charge you and only for one years updates !!!!<br />IMHO Comdo Internet Security<br /> http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/<br />It is absolutely the best all around protection you can get and it is FREE FOR LIFE<br />If you are running Windows 7 RTM email me at [e-mail] and I can explain how to get it up and running on W7.

[vgames]

well this is only your opinion , when I installed comdo it wouldn't update and also i think it crashed on me so i uninstalled it right away.

[billfranke]

As vgames said, it's only your opinion. Comodo may be "the best all around protection you can get", but it's annoyingly intrusive. I've used it on four different PCs, and I removed it from all of them. I prefer to use Windows 7's native firewall to Comodo. Sometimes too much protection -- and always too many questions to answer -- is worse than no protection at all.<br /><br />OTOH, my 13-year-old son complained all the time that Zone Alarm Extreme Security and Zone Alarm Free both slowed his PC down so much that now he uses only the Win 7 firewall. I haven't had any problems with that so far.

[Neumenon]

I used ZA from the beginning....until about a year or so ago when they couldn't figure out how to write a version for Vista POS. <br /> <br />I believe that around that time I just got fed up with the Bloated Beast that ZA had become and switched to Comodo (quirky, but decent enough). <br /> <br />I don't plan on revistiing ZA with Windows 7.

[ronzalpha]

actually, comodo has some installation problems for me....it laggs both of my comps (desptop and laptops) and won't install at all...

[Renegade Knight]

I used to use ZA until it had issues (under Vista). I tried Comodo and that was worse. Finally I just let Windoze use it's own firewall. No problems since.

[make_or_break]

I was late to the game when it came to Vista; only got my first Vista box a month ago, and only because of the hardware need than anything about the OS. (That said, so far working in Vista isn't all that bad at all and certainly nothing like what the gloom and doomers have still been ranting.) ZAISS at this point seems to work reasonably well for me, but then I'd expect that since Checkpoint has by now had more than enough time to get their act together with this tad pokey OS (even so before ZA was installed). If nothing else, the current ZA suite experience is a bit smoother than the preload McAfee tripe that was on this box, even if the scan speeds are even insulting to a dog's behind. Then again, it's not much better on any of my XP Pro boxes and laptops, either.

[ronzalpha]

i still prefer Avira Antivirus. It's free and it laged my laptop a bit at startup (due to advertisements and my weak laptop processing power) on vista, but i hear zonealarm has decent ratings too. <br />Personally, i have and chose Kaspersky Antivirus since it provides hourly updates and have awesome online customer suppport service. If Nod ESET were sold in stores, i would def. get instead over anything....

[pjcamp]

I used Zone Alarm for years . . . right up until they couldn't figure out how to write a 64 bit compatible version. Toward the end, it was pretty bloated with a heavy resource load. Security software is labor intensive to develop, and worth paying for. I've looked at free alternatives from time to time but the testing labs report problems with their virus detection. <br /> <br />If you rely on built-in Windows tools, you are no doubt responsible for bringing down Twitter. <br /> <br />I hate to say it, after developing a thorough distaste for Symantec years ago, but Norton has by far the lightest system load of all the firewall/malware systems, free or otherwise.

[Burnsie001]

I used Zone Alarm Pro for years but it became such a bloated and unweildy monstrosity I finally had to remove it just to get my computer to function at all. Never did get all the functionality working as I could never get enough information on how all the features worked. In the end Zone Alarm caused me more work and lost time than the issues it was supposed to be protecting me from.

[ernie278]

NOD ESET is sold at Fry's Electronics. It's been sold there for the last 3 months.

[ernie278]

It's called ESET NOD32^

[shadymoin]

Whats the best free firewall or AV for a mac? I been trying to get hold of one, tried to get Avast my fav on the windows but none exists for the mac which is free and effective like Avast.

[lucid oldie]

Good router /modem, the Online Armour "FREE" firewall and Avast "FREE" edition and Malwarebytes "FREE" , (all available from CNET) as a backup scanner. All free! Why pay for bloatware?

[jeremyhuang]

Great choices. However, most of the software you mentioned aren't very well known and takes a little research and digging on forums like wilders to find. Much easier for a consumer just to pay and install the suite.

[jeremyhuang]

Great choices. However, most of the software you mentioned aren't very well known and takes a little research and digging on forums like wilders to find. Much easier for a consumer just to pay and install the suite.

[shellcodes_coder]

NIS 2009 is best. NIS 2010 is even better

[bkoster]

I agree most think they can charge what they like! I remember many years back I paid for a anti-Virus <br />prog (Only) In Dollars about US $240 two weeks later in a MAG it was free NO Refund? <br />CA &#38; ZA both don't seem to like Vista nor does Radial Point, you "only find out" after you have PAID? <br />all the above is UK not USA, its got to be the same!!!

[cdbob]

zone alarm's new 'extreme security' looks suspiciously like zone alarm security suite (zass) which i paid for initially and have paid for many years of updates... after 5 years, i'm still waiting for zone alarm to tweak it so it doesn't cause conflicts with other applications<br /><br />i wonder if they are going to abandon zass and its support....and then expect its users to buy extreme?<br /><br />the article doesn't mention that, nor does it mention whether 12 months after purchase of extreme they will demand 20-30 buck a year for continued updates as they do for zass...<br /><br />they do offer email support and you can even work with the same person after your first contact...but support techs however knowledgeable and refreshing to deal with can only do so much...if the program isn't designed to play nicely with others -- like zass and i'd expect extreme -- ultimately you still have security at a very high price in time as well as money...and program crashes....the worst being system restore and internet explorer

[jeremyhuang]

"the article doesn't mention that, nor does it mention whether 12 months after purchase of extreme they will demand 20-30 buck a year for continued updates as they do for zass..."<br /><br />That is the same with every other vendor!<br /><br />Always use the free trial before you buy to see if it plays nice with everything else.

[Mike_Turner]

I have ZA Security Suite (ZASS). I will be updating shortly to the latest version (v9.0.083.000). I like it a lot .. especially for being able to add, delete, manipulate, change, modify, etc., different aspects ZASS. I did have ZA Extreme Security (ZAES) just about a week or so, and trashed it! The biggest problem ... ForceField (FF) !!! With FF activated I had too many conflicts with other apps on my computer. There are things in ZAES that is "duplication" especially if you are using IE8. Can't say anything about ZAES and using Firefox. No thanks to ZAES.

[nfhvn]

I can not install zone alram free firewall 2010 in Window 7 (even check point said it's ok with window 7), it said "need to upgrade Window vista SP1".

[clockmendergb]

I have two machines running windows 7 and use zone alarm free on both of them.<br />I also use avg free on them.<br />I have not seen any problems associated with either during my daily use of the two machines.<br />Machine one is a 3gig pentium 4 with 512 meg ram.<br />Machine two is an amd 3200 with i gig ram.<br />Both are several years old but work well with win 7.<br />The pentium 4 is lacking in memory but it runs fine for web browsing.<br />I use Zone alarm security suite on a Vista home premium AMD 5400 machine with 3 gig of ram<br />also ditto on an XP Pro 3200 Sempron machine also with 3gig of ram.<br />Both are working fine with the security suite.<br />Maybe I am lucky at this time but I must say I have nothing to complain about.<br />Accept perhaps the boot up times which seem to take along time as they go through their paces.<br />and maybe some bogging while scanning.

[Waisyshah]

I like to think of Ubuntu (and Linux in general) as the best security software.

[tmurt]

I used ZA for years along with Norton. Norton developed problems on my computer and I couldn't get definition updates so I dumped it. I've tried several free AVs plus Kaspersky and CA, but they have all bogged down the machine so much when running scans that the only time I ran a scan was Friday nights after I went to bed! Finally I found Vipre which is new and has not been indpendently tested yet, but Vipre can be running a scan on my computer and I can't even tell until it finishes and tells me what it found. I think it's so good that I also dumped ZA and bought Sunbelt Software's firewall. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has run either of these programs.

[weronit]

No thanks, to costly. I use AVG for all three of my computers and have for sometime. I'll stick with what I know works. At that price it will be outdated in a year and you'll have to buy the next version.

[jw55]

You might have mentioned in your column that ZoneAlarm doesn't work with Mozilla Thunderbird. The only email program it works with it Outlook. Some people might like to know this before they buy.