ZoneAlarm or perhaps something else

[History Fan]

I have an uncle who recently bought a custom-built PC. We picked out
a system running Windows 2000 professional. Anti-virus (AVG) and
anti-spyware software (Ad-Aware and Spybot) were already installed. I asked
the salesperson (a knowledgeable fellow) if a firewall was also
preinstalled. Told me no, but strongly recommended the Tiny firewall at
www.tinysoftware.com. Unfortunately, they don't offer a free version. I
asked about ZoneAlarm, and the salesperson told in no uncertain terms that
ZoneAlarm was junk, that it messed up your system and contained spyware. He
also loathed Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, recommending Firefox
instead.

So, now I'm looking at another free firewall to possibly install on my
uncle's computer. Sygate Personal Firewall has good reviews at Cnet.com.
Has anyone heard about that program having spyware?

 

[null]

So, now I'm looking at another free firewall to possibly install on my
uncle's computer. Sygate Personal Firewall has good reviews at Cnet.com.
Has anyone heard about that program having spyware?

It auto-checks for updates but you can shut that feature off if you
like. That's probably what started the rumor.


Art
http://www.epix.net/~artnpeg

 

[--Mike]

I have an uncle who recently bought a custom-built PC. We picked out
a system running Windows 2000 professional. Anti-virus (AVG) and
anti-spyware software (Ad-Aware and Spybot) were already installed. I asked
the salesperson (a knowledgeable fellow) if a firewall was also
preinstalled. Told me no, but strongly recommended the Tiny firewall at
www.tinysoftware.com. Unfortunately, they don't offer a free version. I
asked about ZoneAlarm, and the salesperson told in no uncertain terms that
ZoneAlarm was junk, that it messed up your system and contained spyware. He
also loathed Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, recommending Firefox
instead.

So, now I'm looking at another free firewall to possibly install on my
uncle's computer. Sygate Personal Firewall has good reviews at Cnet.com.
Has anyone heard about that program having spyware?

First of all, ZoneAlarm is not junk. If it were junk, then no one would be
using it. Instead, ZoneAlarm is extremely popular. It does get criticism
for having a *prettier* interface, but what does that matter? If the
programmers want to design a fancier interface, so be it, as long as it does
not effect performance. And no, ZoneAlarm does not *mess up* your system.
I have also heard about the ZA spyware claim before, but I can't recall what
truth, if any, there is to that accusation, but I am curious as to why the
salesperson is so against ZoneAlarm?
All that being said, I personally use Sygate's Firewall and am very pleased
with it. It works well, just as do Kerio, and ZoneAlarm. Not much to say
here. It does a good job as advertised.
As for browsers, I run both IE and Firefox. Firefox is not succeptable to
all of the IE exploits, so is considered to be much more safe for web
browsing. The same holds true for Mozilla's Thunderbird e-mail client
versus Outlook Express.
If enough protections and programs are installed and run, IE can be made
reasonably safe, but IMHO, you really need to know what you are doing in
this area because the numerous programs and patches need to be very
frequently checked, updated, and monitored.

--Mike

 

[Wattsville Blues]

I have an uncle who recently bought a custom-built PC. We picked out
a system running Windows 2000 professional. Anti-virus (AVG) and
anti-spyware software (Ad-Aware and Spybot) were already installed. I asked
the salesperson (a knowledgeable fellow) if a firewall was also
preinstalled. Told me no, but strongly recommended the Tiny firewall at
www.tinysoftware.com. Unfortunately, they don't offer a free version. I
asked about ZoneAlarm, and the salesperson told in no uncertain terms that
ZoneAlarm was junk, that it messed up your system and contained spyware. He
also loathed Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, recommending Firefox
instead.

So, now I'm looking at another free firewall to possibly install on my
uncle's computer. Sygate Personal Firewall has good reviews at Cnet.com.
Has anyone heard about that program having spyware?

I'm running ZoneAlarm Pro 5.1 and it hasn't messed up my system one bit.
No idea about the spyware side of things though - there is an option
for you to "Share security settings anonymously with Zone Labs", but
I've left this unchecked. Maybe that's what the sales guy meant, maybe
he's misinformed.

 

[blackfoot]

Hi,
I have had no such problems with ZA, I am also not an expert.

I have been useing ZA for a while now and have no reason to
change, I have set it up and its doing a good job as far as I can
tell.

Regards

I have an uncle who recently bought a custom-built PC. We picked out
a system running Windows 2000 professional. Anti-virus (AVG) and
anti-spyware software (Ad-Aware and Spybot) were already installed. I asked
the salesperson (a knowledgeable fellow) if a firewall was also
preinstalled. Told me no, but strongly recommended the Tiny firewall at
www.tinysoftware.com. Unfortunately, they don't offer a free version. I
asked about ZoneAlarm, and the salesperson told in no uncertain terms that
ZoneAlarm was junk, that it messed up your system and contained spyware. He
also loathed Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, recommending Firefox
instead.

So, now I'm looking at another free firewall to possibly install on my
uncle's computer. Sygate Personal Firewall has good reviews at Cnet.com.
Has anyone heard about that program having spyware?

Blackfoot

 

[William Morris]

My experience with ZoneAlarm has been spotty at best. I used to run it -
it's reasonably simple to use - but have had it block programs even when
permissions are explicitly set. My firewall of preference is Kerio. It's
interface isn't as pretty but it's stable, has a small footprint, and hasn't
ever blocked anything I wanted access to.

http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html

NAYY, - Wm


--
William Morris, o.k.a. Solace the Shire Gravemaker, KCRF
o.k.a. Nicholas Thatch, No One In Particular
o.k.a. Tavish McTavish o' Loch Tavish, Privy Accountant to his Majesty King
James I
o.k.a. Quinn Harlech, Earl of Caerphilly
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