Sygate vs Zonealrm

Hi -- i'm running zone alarm (free version) at home -- and thinking of switching over to sygate (free version)

I'm not so tech savy. *From a baics perspective -- what are the pro's and con's of each? *and why would I want to choose one above the other? *this is for home use (have a cable modem).

Thanks!!!
John

[Z777]

SYGATE hands down,there are so many sheep using that other piece of crap..........that's the only reason it's popular!

It's a bloated resource computer crashing hog..used it for 2 years and will never have it on any of my machines ever again!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out info for Sygate at "forums.sygatetech.com/".
The SPF PRO 5 build 956 is a great program, but very buggy. (in my opinon)
Hopefully there will be a version 6 in my lifetime.
Most of the problems are documented at the forum website.
Good Luck!

[Tinribs]

I recently went back to ZA Pro from Sygate Pro,as stated above I found it very buggy and caused a few problems,no probs with ZA tho.

[Checkout]

SYGATE hands down,there are so many sheep using that other piece of crap..........that's the only reason it's popular!

It's a bloated resource computer crashing hog..used it for 2 years and will never have it on any of my machines ever again!!!!!!!!!!!

That's a pretty well-thought-out and reasoned argument. *You ran it for two years, eh? *Sounds like a fine reason to install Sygate, I must admit...

[wizard]

Comparing the freeware version of SyGate and ZoneAlarm I prefer SyGate because it allows more detailed configuration steps than ZoneAlarm.

Maybe you should also take a look at Outpost which is also freeware and seems to work better than ZA or SyGate. Also it offers more features.

wizard

Thanks -- I've had sygate installed for 24 hours now, and have NO logged security activity (outside of the test on the sygate site) - with zone alarm I always had some sort of activity logged in the alerts - would this be normal for an always open cable modem connection?

I've taken a look at the outpost website -- it looks relatively new -- is there an opinion from others on this firewall vs za and sygate?

[GA]

I've used outpost beta and the new version and like it better than sygate or za. It doesn't seem to demand as many resources. I like the fact that it blocks referrers and adds etc., but it is a little buggy and at times even with add blocking turned off, it blocks a little too much. Then I usually end up back to tiny or kerio.
*GA

[Liquid_Fish]

I've had sygate installed for 24 hours now, and have NO logged security activity (outside of the test on the sygate site) - with zone alarm I always had some sort of activity logged in the alerts - would this be normal for an always open cable modem connection?

It could be but maybe not. *I would recommend running GRC's shields up or Sygates scan to make sure you have everything configured correctly.

http://scan.sygatetech.com/
http://grc.com

enjoy.

[wizard]

Thanks -- I've had sygate installed for 24 hours now, and have NO logged security activity (outside of the test on the sygate site) - with zone alarm I always had some sort of activity logged in the alerts - would this be normal for an always open cable modem connection?

ZoneAlarm always logges a lot of 'garbage' that most other firewalls also block/filter but do not log. So nothing to worry if other firewalls log less.

wizard

[Tinribs]

Exactly,if you instal Zonelog Analyzer you'll see most blocks are harmless(according to this proggy)
I questioned this lack of any logs with Sygate,their forums didnt come up with any real help,but it did worry me although it worked fine when tested at GRC.

John,

I read the replies which in general answered your question, but here is what I think you want to know.
I used ZA Free before switching to Sygate Free.
ZA is an application based firewall which means it can be set to block applications on your computer from accessing the net. *In addition, it can block unwanted contacts from outside. *It is relatively easy to install and set up, and contrary to what you may read.....it was a good firewall as far as security goes.

Sygate on the other hand is both an application based and also a rule based. *Rule basing allows more detailed and specific blocking of both incoming and outgoing connections by setting up specific connections that will be allowed for applications you specify. *You do not need to do anything special with Sygate "out of the box" to have great security. *You can learn the more advanced rule basing later on. *Still, Sygate is very easy to install, and setup. *If you have question, go to Graham Todd's "Unoffical Sygate Home Page". *He is extremely helpful and his site will have your Sygate set to a great level of security. *Just follow his guide. *I don't have the web address handy, but you can ask the guys over at www.wilders.org

Since I have installed Sygate, I have not had one problem with it. *I find the logs it contains excellent at recording what it actually going on. *ZA was very lacking in this area unless you downloaded another progam such as Visual Zone, or Zone Analyzer....(They use more resources).

I have tried some of the others including Tiny Firewall and the Pro versions of ZA and Sygate.
For the money....(or lack of it)...Sygate Free will give you good protection.

bye