ZoneAlarm promotion - April 13th

Is this version of ZA any good?

http://www.filehippo.com/download_zonealarm_free/

 

As far as I know, the pro version is behind the free version in the version number.

 

The link points to a new ZA free version: ZA 9.2.039.000
This is not behind current ZAPRO that is ZA 9.1.507.000

For an indicative change log see here: www.zonealarm.com/beta

ZAfree version offers no HIPS, just pure packet filtering features. For HIPS and advanced protection features (e.g. KHOBE protection) you need to buy the retail version.

Fax

 

Actually final ZAfree 9.2 version has been released:

http://download.cnet.com/ZoneAlarm-Free-Firewall/3000-10435_4-10039884.html

ZAFREE 9.2.042.000 - No change log yet....

PC Mag Editor Choice
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364057,00.asp

Cheers,
Fax

 

How does ZA free compare with other free firewalls? Does ZA have any leak flaws and outbound flaws etc?

 

As already mentioned ZA free is a basic firewall, no HIPS. Classic good packet filtering and basic outbound protection with the addittion of a cloud based white/black list of programs.

The most important thing is not how it performs in leaks but how you feel with it and if it runs correctly on the system. For the rest you need to complement ZA with a good malware scanner.

Cheers,
Fax

 

ZA free has NO HIPS?

So what's it good for then?

 

Here below you find what is a firewall:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_(computing)

and here some explanation on what is HIPS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrusion_prevention_system

HIPS is not a firewall and viceversa . There are plenty of post about this discussion on wilders. Just use the search function of the board.

 

Here is a review of ZoneAlarm 9.2:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364059,00.asp

 

Thanks for the links.

I am using ZA free. I realised I do not need HIPS as I never install any new programs from websites I do not know. Very rarely I install anything and if I do, it's usually from Softpedia or filehippo.

And even if you got infected, the ZA free firewall will alert you something is trying to connect to the internet.

So it's very very unlikely I will get infected with an unknowm malware which HIPS would help.

I also run MBAM and a-squared daily.

 

Why do you run MBAM and A2 daily if you rarely install anything, and even when you do it's usually from Softpedia or filehippo
Do they find anything ?

 

Peace of mind in case something in the past I have installed and it's only now been recognised as malware and then it would show up on the scanner.

I don't know if you realise this, but 100's of new malware are released onto the internet EACH DAY, and it make take days, even weeks before some are recognised and picked up by malware companies and included into the signature files.

And No, never been infected with anything

 

daily scans are not so necessary these days. If you are so prudent with your habits you really don't need daily scans. personally only do monthly scans and never ever find anything. The only thing i am worried is when i have to plug in some flash usb but never found anything in years now

 

In years..

 

more than one is in plural so to say
two years at list

 

What about when I visit websites?

Can they write anything to my Vista registry that can cause havoc for me?

Does ZA free stop anything trying to write to my start-up group and registry and warn me about it?

 

WinPatrol does.

 

1. So ZA and other Firewalls don't stop things being written to the Registry that is not allowed?

2. How does a website run a script that installs some malware into the Registry? Can you give me an example?

 

Have you ever heard about broser exploiting stuff? Besides you can "catch a cold" by just clicking on a picture and so on.

TheMozart,
I would prefer a realtime AV than using a HIPS control if I can't use both. Everythins depends on your skills...

 

I have all cookies disabled in firefox and I use Noscript addon. I feel very secure.

 

Your not a paranoic if you feel safe as well as gery. Congrats to you guys, this is "mostly unprecedented" for this site, cheers!

 

I deleted and totally removed ZA.

Reason: My online game, BF2142 would suffer greatly with ZA installed. The gameplay would freeze randomly and slow down the frame rate.

Once I removed ZA and just using the Vista FW, then BF2142 was running fast and smooth again.

 

I thought that ZA came with a gaming mode now to prevent such issues.

 

The ZoneAlarm Pro I got from the ZoneAlarm promotion of April 13th has the gaming mode.

I believe ZoneAlarm Free has gaming mode also.

 

Whats gaming mode? And how does it work? And does it leave your system "open" for attacks when in use?