Question for those using ZA on Broadband

This may be a dumb question but I have never had Broadband or used ZoneAlarm. In a couple of weeks I will FINALLY be making the switch to Broadband, probably cable. Of course I will be using a router with hardware firewall but I also plan on using ZoneAlarm free version as another layer of protection. Do any of you use the ZoneAlarm Stop Button or Lock whenever you stop surfing in order to "kill" your Internet connection? I don’t know quite how to word this, if you do use one of these two features, do you have any problem getting the connection reestablished whenever you want to start surfing again? Is it as easy as simply turning it "off" and "on"? In the ZoneAlarm manual, it is advised that you do NOT use those features except in an emergency but I remember several years ago when ZoneAlarm first came out that those features were suggested for use to "kill" your connection whenever you stopped surfing. Thanks for all replies.

Acadia

 

The "Stop" button is an irrelevant feature in my view - just unplug the cable connecting your PC to the router. This is supremely effective in terminating any Internet access - and the connection should be restored a second or two after plugging the cable back in.

 

Using the Stop button can be a lot faster and more convenient if you want to stop the connection ASAP rather than unplugging the cable from the pc depending on how your work area is set up. No problem either way in my experience reestablishing a connection. I also have my cable network connection showing in my systray and can disable it with a couple clicks if I wish. (Some dsl users have said that disabling the network connection for them is not that simple, I don't know.)

The Internet Lock is for when you're away from your pc for a while or not using the net and want the connection to be cut. It can be set to automatically lock when a screensaver engages or after a certain period of internet inactivity. I think I've I've seen in the past some occasional posts in forums where people may have had problems re-engaging the connection after they've gone back to the PC and stopped the screensaver. But I haven't used the Internet Lock so I can't say first hand if this is a common or likely issue when the lock is used with a screensaver.

 

I've never used ZA's 'Stop' or 'Lock'. I disconnect from the connection icon in the SystemTray.

 

with my linksys router all I have to do is disconnect from internet right in the router interface, when I click connect it is for all intents and purposes instantanious.

 

Acadia,
The latest version of Zone Alarm is 5.0. I'd strongly suggest you visit the Zone Labs user forum before installing ZA 5.0. You'll see a massive number of posts from users who upgraded from the prior 4.5 version to 5.0 and have experienced a multitude of problems. You'll also see a common thread of advice throughout: revert back to version 4.5!

I unfortunately upgraded to Zone Alarm Pro 5.0 (the purchased version) and I'll revert back to 4.5 myself.

Regards,
Stro

 

Stro, thank you. I have never had 5.0 on my system. The ONLY ZoneAlarm that I have ever had is the free version of 4.5. It is my secondary shield behind my NAT router. It works perfectly and I see no reason to ever have to upgrade: I adhere to that old fashion philosophy that says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Thanks again.

Acadia