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

 

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!

 

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.

 

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...

 

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?

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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