So far my experience with it is... meh. Page loads are still slow, still slows down connection more than 4.5, privacy options are to the point now where they impact sites with personalization, ad blocking messes with sites that use GIFs for navigation, also causes downloads to stall etc... same BS different version. Be nice if the Product Manager figured out that as a core, the 5.x engine is the cause of all their problems. They should suspend further development and get 6.x out the door sooner rather than later. Free http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/information/znalm/zaReleaseHistory.html Pro http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/information/zap/releaseHistory.html
I'm trying the free version and have had only one problem. When I re-booted my computer, all my programs pinned to the start menu were gone and so were my shortcuts in VCOM's Powerdesk 5.
Curious if they fixed the last visited tab issue. All previous 5.x releases would not remember the last visited menu after reboot. It would default to the Overview\Status screen. I also have to increase the WaitToKillServiceTimeout registry to 7000 from the default value 2000 because ZA Pro would take longer to shutdown in W2K/WXP, resulting in the generation of XDB files in the Internet Logs folder. The older 4.0 engines didn't have this problem.
i installed zone alarm before, but it wouldn't let me download from a lot of sites, such nvidia.com to download my graphic card drivers, and didn't let me do lot of other stuff as well, even though i tried to configure it and everything but still didn't work, so i say outpost and norton are still the best when it comes to privacy IMO. i feel the same way as the original poster, zone labs should work on how to make their engine better so one can search around freely without all the troubles or things not working properly.
I've gone back to using 5.1.033, which seems to be better with my system. I did have difficulty downloading 'critical' updates from HP (they failed until I turned 5.5.062 off) and I have discovered that some sites do not display correctly (whatever you do with Privacy settings and Browser settings). The new version does address the 'Referrer' issue (by blocking it), so you need to take account of that at some banking sites etc by lowering 'Privacy' settings.
Zone Alarm is generally considered to the best firewall solution available no doubt about that in comparison to its previous siblings it does indeed slows down the browsing speed of the internet and makes downloading a nuisance.I could not access a lot of sites on my old pc which is using the ZoneAlarm Free edition and has made life miserable for me.So i went back to 4.5.094 the best version of ZoneaAlarm for me.
I'd agree with it being the simplest (which may make it the best for novice users) but there are several others offering finer control and better security out there.
Fellow Creatures, I think ZoneLabs has slipped on the banana peel and hit it's head. I agree with you Paranoid that is why I have your quote highlighted above. I am using ZAP 5.1.033 it works o. k. the key expired and I am not going to give any more money to the "cause" at Checkpoint Inc.. This has been a "move on year" for me. Stronger security, less simple novice stuff. But I am not a network, internet port pro, sniff this packet, only go to this IP address, either, not even close. I know you like OutPost Paranoid, would that be your choice if I were to ask for your advice about stepping up? I do not want to move into something that is so complicated I lower my security by making mistakes. I am behind a NeatGear router with Hardware firewall blocking inbounds.
The best advice is really to trial each alternative in turn. Issues such as firewall GUIs and possible program conflicts tend to be specific to each user and system setup so what works for one person may not work for everyone else. Products I would suggest trialling are Kerio, Outpost and Look'n'Stop. Kerio and Outpost are quite close in capabilities (though many would recommend Kerio 2.xx over the current version 4). Outpost 2.5 does add new security features that could give it an edge, but these can cause conflicts with some other software (see Outpost 2.5 - what to expect for details). Look'n'Stop is lighter on resources but has corresponding limitations (a limit of 128 network connections if stateful inspection is enabled and the need to use a separate application LnSSvc to provide protection during Windows startup). Sygate is another possibility but it cannot filter access to the localhost address - meaning that if you run a local proxy (a web filter like WebWasher or Proxomitron - some anti-virus scanners implement a local proxy for scanning emails also) then any application can use its rules to gain Internet access (see Does SPF support the ability to control app access to "local proxy" type applications for more details). Given that this has been on Sygate's plate for a couple of years now, I'd have some doubts about their commitment to providing customers with real security. However installing and uninstalling firewalls can be a painful process (using an uninstaller like Total Uninstall can help in ensuring that everything is cleared out) especially with firewalls that do not clean up properly (*cough* ZoneAlarm *cough*) so an alternative would be to download manuals and visit forums to check on current issues. Kerio Personal Firewall Manual page Kerio Forum Look'n'Stop Feature Summary (no manual available for download) Look'n'Stop Forum Outpost Download page (includes manuals) Outpost Forum (also check the Web-Hiker's Guide for an introduction, while it covers Outpost v1, most of it applies to v2 also).
*cough* Jetico *cough* Before beta testing... take precautions Also, be careful with LnS... gives funky results if Kerio is installed in parallel (not running, simply parallel) hey Mercurie If u liked Kerio, you may do what I'm doing... try its sister program - Tiny Personal Firewall (http://www.tinysoftware.com)
Mercurie was asking for a step up from ZA , I'd suggest that Tiny is more of a mountain climb for most people. Hope your trial goes well - Tiny does offer features beyond anything else but you have to work hard to get the best out of them.
Paranoid2000, Thanks for your input and advice. Yes, I do want to just take a step up and not get into something that gives me deer in the headlights gaze... "o. k. what do I do now," situation. My nature is to move slow. Especially when everything is working. Just a little more might have helped you. I use BoClean, AdAware Plus, and EZAV Ver. 6.3.0.9. I am never wedded to the AV but have been long time user of BO. and ADPlus. My needs are simple. Internet useage to include some business transactions. Security and privacy are top priority. No online gaming and no need to visit questionable sites. Cookies and Cach cleaned daily. Lower resource useage is good on this older modest machine running Windows XP Home. I am curently reviewing all options and respect and appreciate your opinions on the subject. I am expereinced with Zone Alarm products and have successfully done uninstalls and clean installs, but yes care has to be taken once it gets mucked up it is bad. Thanks.
No13, Thanks for your post, I was looking for reply from Paranoid, but I often insert my 2 cents too in such situations, so who am I to throw stones. I know your have been trialing many a firewall. Keep posting I read them. You never know where the hawk is
Merc... I see u made 250 too... congrats will tell ya how it went... Here's an original quote from no13... "Message boards are vending machines where you gotta put in $0.02 every time to have them work."
Mercurie, For lower resource usage, you may find Look'n'Stop the best. Outpost may be a bit on the heavy side with memory/CPU usage, but if your machine can run WinXP, it's unlikely to have serious problems with any firewall. The only thing is to ensure that the firewall log files are excluded from any background virus scans, since this can take time (especially with Outpost, which writes to logs frequently). If privacy is your key concern, then I would recommend you consider a specialised web filter like Proxomitron and configure it to filter https traffic (see The Dangers of HTTPS for details). Edit: If you do use a local proxy like Proxomitron, Outpost 2.5's ability to filter incoming localhost connections may make it more desireable - see the (long) Outpost forum thread Proxomitron default ruleset question for a discussion of a possible local proxy exploit that this should prevent.
Is there any area in particular you feel your current version of ZAP is lacking in regards to your needs? Regards, CrazyM
Thanks for your interest CrazyM, My key has expired before I could get ZAP ver. 5.5. Version 5.xx has been loaded with problems. I missed most of them because I waited until the last minute and got 5.1 last version of .1. I have lost confidence in Zone Labs apparently since Checkpoint has bought them out. Also what was once a good simple Firewall is now loaded up with all sorts of stuff that I have just turned off. I. D. lock, Cookie cleaner that you apparently go to Zone Labs to use just to name a few. I have on board stuff for that Spybot and Adaware plus. As I have said here before I am not a fan of Suites. It also uses more resources then I would like it to and that is only going up with each new feature that is added. Zone Labs dropped the next firewall I was going to buy from them Zone Alarm Plus. As I said earlier if I buy a new firewall I will need to have more confidence in future support and the companies willingness to put out a working product with only minor issues to be fixed. Just look at all of the issues that are fixed in 5.5 that I do not have fixed in my 5.1: New and improved features in ZoneAlarm Pro version 5.5.062.000 Added New Network detection wizard dialog Added additional information to the About dialog Fixed Ghost client cannot connect to Ghostcast server issue Fixed Microsoft Flight Simulator multiuser issue Fixed yEnc encoded download issue with newsreaders Fixed conflict with HP Photosmart printer at startup issue Fixed MailSafe will rename files download via news readers issue Fixed Hidden and Dangerous 2 game issues Fixed Tiger Wood PGA Tour won't be able to connect over LAN issue Fixed DirectX 9.0 issue Fixed compatibility issue with PC-cillin 2004 Fixed a problem where not all expert rules were restored Fixed privacy issue with referrers Fixed blocked internet access during Configuration Wizard issue Fixed issue with ipconfig /renew hanging Fixed incorrect Changed Program alert Fixed more system stability issues Routine maintenance items New and improved I am using the one ver. that does not have these fixes. The good news is I have had no problems really, except it seems to have problems remembering some program alerts says something about my product expiring pretty nasty trick, I did go from 4.5 to 5.1.033. I know other firewalls have issues, but maybe my feathers are ruffled for no real good reason after all it is working....
well, if the folks at Checkpoint are ready to drop TrueVector (dunno what the hell they use it for), I guess I'll try ZA once before I settle my sys config for the year 2005-2006. Also, I'd like the creation of default rules dropped, and the option to create more powerful and more numerous rules. And maybe add a configurable IDS. As far as I'm concerned, all the content filtering is fine, if it doesn't interfere with my surfing (kerio interferes with WSF, even though it's in the allow list) Afterthought: It'd seem that I want a Kerio without bugs and with dll control... I'm crazy completly mad
Whatever you do, DO NOT UNINSTALL LOOK 'N' STOP WITH TOTAL UNINSTALL!! After the uninstall with Total Uninstall, this happened;
