![]() ![]() I saw this feature in action with my own test programs that launch and terminate instances of Internet Explorer. Check Point's Jordy Berson explained that the firewall protects its own processes using ZoneAlarm's ForceField technology, and that this protection extends to Internet Explorer. To start, any attack that relies on manipulating Internet Explorer will fail. The OSFirewall feature in paid ZoneAlarm products specifically detects and blocks most of these sneaky techniques, but even without that feature ZoneAlarm Free does a pretty good job. ![]() Typically they'll try to connect with the Internet by manipulating or masquerading as already-trusted programs. I prefer the approaches taken by Norton and by ZoneAlarm.Įver since the first personal firewall appeared malware authors have been seeking ways to evade program control. Thus any malicious programs already present on your system will get a free pass. For each program that connects with the network it not only allows access, it creates a rule to always allow access. Initially it assumes that all programs already on your system are valid and should be allowed network access. The only popups you'll see relate to uncommon programs (ones not in ZoneAlarm's database), so you should stop and pay attention in those rare cases when ZoneAlarm Free asks what to do.Ĭomodo Internet Security Suite 4.0 (Free, ), which includes a free firewall, takes a different approach to minimizing popups. According to Check Point, this feature automatically configures firewall settings 97 percent of the time, so where the old free firewall would have overwhelmed the user with 100 popups, the current one would just display three. ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2, much like Zone Alarm Extreme Security, leverages the SmartDefense Advisor. The free ZoneAlarm, however, has always been known for its deluge of confusing popups that ask the uninformed user to make important security decisions. ZoneAlarm Extreme Security makes those decisions by relying on a feature called SmartDefense Advisor, which taps into a massive database of known programs (resulting in far fewer queries for the user). The firewall in Norton Internet Security 2010 ($69.99 direct, ) makes all of those decisions itself, allowing access for known good programs, terminating known bad programs, and carefully watching unknowns. When any program attempts to access the network or Internet, the firewall must decide whether to allow it or not. Program control is the feature that makes some personal firewalls horribly annoying. ZoneAlarm passed all of my port-scan tests and fended off all Web-based attack tests. Your local network goes in the Trusted Zone it's still plenty secure, but you can share printers and files without hindrance. It puts up maximum protection for connections in the Internet Zone-public networks, coffee-shop wireless, and such. The page even notes that you may already have the missing pieces, supplied by another vendor.Ī full-blown personal firewall should protect your computer from attack by hackers and also prevent misuse of your Internet connection by local programs-ZoneAlarm excels in both areas. Clicking one of these takes you to a Web page with more details about the paid products and an option to buy, but it's not a hard sell. It also displays several features that aren't present in the free edition such as antivirus/antispyware protection, Download Protection, and OSFirewall (which detects malicious program behavior). ![]() ZoneAlarm's main window offers the expected overview of security status and access to configuration options. ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 9.2 (free, direct) streamlines basic firewall protection and adds significant bonus features, bringing the product back to preeminence in the personal firewall realm. Though the company never abandoned their original free utility, they did let it languish without significant updates for quite some time. Over the years, that initial simple tool has evolved into a range of security products, with ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 ($69.99 direct, ) at the top of the food chain. The release of the original free ZoneAlarm utility in 1999 effectively created the personal firewall market.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |