ZoneAlarm Free 8

Is this new version an improvement to the previous versions?
I've noticed that the installer takes less space than the last version of ZoneAlarm Free 7.
Anyone's using/testing this program? Feedback would be appreciated.

 

Not using it, but investigated it. Like its predecessors, it's just basic firewall protection. It will stealth your system, but has poor leak protection if that is important to you. The reason that it's a smaller install than V. 7.xx is that it's a subset of ZAP instead of ZA's Internet Security. Hope that answers your questions!

 

I was going to have a look at this latest version of the free firewall, but after finding a download link at their website it only downloaded an executable which on execution stated that it would download and install the "Zonealarm Switch"




What is that?

 

I'm using it on one of my systems. Based on features it seems essentially the same as previous versions. The GUI is much improved though - I appreciate that they did away with the orange theme.

 

I haven't heard of Zonealarm Switch. Here is the link I used recently to install the free firewall.

http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

hope this helps.

 

Its a downloader... if you push on it will ask if you want to download 'only' the full installer or 'download and install'... of ZA.
Switch? No idea.. may be they refer to the downloader itsels?

I think the idea behind is to ensure users do not use downlaod managers or other browsers.

Cheers.
Fax

 

I used the link: http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
which just gives me as I mentioned above.
I will not use such a downloader/installer.

 

Interesting...
A question of principle or a security issue or what?

Cheers,
Fax

 

I like to know exactly what is being downloaded, I do not know what "Zonealarm switch" is.
I also like to know exactly how many files and where the files are to be downloaded to.

Principle and security.

 

Aaaaaaah, OK.
Thanks

Fax

 

I understand your concern, but can you ever be completely certain about what is being downloaded? The way I think about is if I'm going to trust the firewall product I may as well trust the downloader. AFAICT, the only function it serves is to automatically determine the OS and offer the correct file.

Correction: You have to choose the OS (that could be a problem for some people <g>).

 

Just a FYI after you choose your OS it gives you those options.

 

Hi Stem.

You can see what you've downloaded after that step.It's a file named zaSWITCH_Setup_en.exe,version 7.0.483.0,size 44.6MB.You can install it any time.

I'd really love to see some comments on this new freebie.

 

I don't get it. What does 7.0.483.0 have anything to do with 8.0?
I count to ten like this: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10.
The number 7 (or 7.0) is the number BELOW 8 (8.0)

If you want to read ZA comments, here's a link to the Installation, Uninstall and Upgrade section of their forum:

http://forums.zonelabs.com/zonelabs/board?board.id=inst

Checkpoint tech support doesn't monitor this forum...that's smart, eh?

Looks to me that v8.0 (non-free) is another disaster.

A link to ZA Free Release History:

http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/information/znalm/zaReleaseHistory.html

 

What about the quality of inbound protection and handling of wireless connections

 

I don't see any 8 version neither.

 

I believe that if you have an account and sign in that there is a place on the website to download the full version, bypassing the downloader.

At least there is for the non-free versions. I used it to download the full ZAAV V8.

 

Errr....What's This?

 

Good question !

You may think I´m paranoid, but I don´t fully trust those third party websites.

Why would that company release a new version of a FREE firewall ?
The newer versions of their commercial firewall software are much more ´comprehensive´and different, what´s the incentive ?

 

The free firewall has always been a way of promoting the "Pro" (for pay) version. The free version IS the Pro version with some of the features turned off. It's not a separately developed program.

 

Maybe you're right, but I think 'some' is an understatement, it's more like 'a lot'.