Zonealarm Extreme Security Description:
It’s so powerful, that even new Internet threats that get by other PC security are detected and blocked - BEFORE they can cause damage to your computer, photos, music, your bank accounts, tax returns and personal identity.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #3847 in Software
- Brand: Zone Labs
- Model: 101060
- Released on: 2009-07-27
- Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows XP
- Format: CD-ROM
- Original language: English
- Dimensions: .20 pounds
Features
- PC Security
- Identity Theft Protection
- Browser Security: ZoneAlarm ForceField
- Secure online backup
- Real-time security Updates and free upgrades
Customer Reviews:
Used to be the best, but there are others out there…
I’ve been using ZoneAlarm for years now, but each upgrade makes me more and more nervous as the company appears to be aiming at consumers with less and less technical knowledge. For years ZoneAlarm has been THE BEST firewall, but this type of “dumbing down” trend can only result in an inferior product for the long run. When your product starts using ridiculous packaging, with names like “Extreme Security”, I just have to balk at this ridiculous marketing tactic. I expect this type of nonsense with firewalls from McAfee or Norton, but not ZoneAlarm! This will most likely be the last time I upgrade with ZoneAlarm, there are other equally great firewalls gaining popularity, but to be honest I’m still holding out simply because I’m used to this software, and I can be stubborn when it comes to migrating.
First, let’s start off with…
The Bad—
My primary complaint is that ZoneAlarm removed the handy cache cleaner, (also known as the privacy feature). ZoneAlarm’s makers, Check Point Software, claims it caused problems with the software, but I never had any issues with this feature, ZoneAlarm has always been a very stable program. It was a great feature one could use to quickly and easily remove cookies that don’t typically get removed by other programs. ZoneAlarm’s answer to this complaint is to use 3rd party software instead. Umm, hello? ZoneAlarm IS 3rd party software! Why would I, (or should I), install another program just for this one feature? This makes no sense on ZoneAlarm’s part, and claiming it needed to be removed because of compatibility issues is really an insult to my, (and others), intelligence.
I don’t see how a simple cache cleaner can cause problems, so maybe instead of removing features Check Point Software should instead remove the idiot coders that couldn’t figure out how to keep such a simple and useful tool from interacting negatively with other parts of the software? If the cache cleaner really was causing problems, then logically another 3rd party software could also cause compatibility issues. This really is a lame and pathetic excuse from Check Point Software, and what is worse is that you don’t realize the feature has been removed until AFTER you upgrade. The reality is this isn’t an upgrade, it’s a DOWNGRADE!
The real irritating issue with Check Point Software is that instead of actually having decent customer service people working on their forums for CUSTOMERS looking for help, (such as wtf happened to the privacy controls), they instead have your typical internet moderating douche bags running their forum. These IT rejects aren’t the least bit helpful with getting basic questions answered, and will quickly close a topic if it’s on an issue Check Point Software doesn’t have a good time explaining, such as why they are removing features in so called “upgrades”.
Obviously paying CUSTOMERS are annoyed by Check Point for removing this feature, but not letting us complain on their own forums just ads to the insult and disrespect they have for their paying customers. Clearly Check Point Software does not care what their most loyal customers want in their software, so this is why I will most likely not be returning the next time my subscription comes to an expiration. Why even have a web forum if you aren’t going to listen to what people have to say about your product, or offer any realistic help when they need it? Check Point might as well save themselves some bandwidth and just remove the web forum completely and hire staffers from India. I might not be able to understand a thing their support says, but I’d probably still get better help than the artards moderating their web forum!
Now With The Good—
So if I don’t like this software, then why 2 stars and not 1? Well, for one, I’m hoping things change for the better. I’m giving them a chance to improve in future editions. Otherwise I probably should be giving them 1 star because the extra star is really just sheer optimism on my part. The other reason is that despite my complaints, this is still, in my opinion, the best software firewall on the market. I love the Identity protection, it’s really nice to be able to block your e-mail from being spammed out when you don’t want it! I also really like the amount of control ZoneAlarm allows for each program that can connect online. It’s nice to know which programs are attempting to go online, especially when I’m not using them! And even though the packaging seems to be targeting a dumber and dumber audience with each new variation, the software has still stayed relatively the same powerful firewall that has made it such a great firewall for so many years.
What makes it so great is not just the amount of control ZoneAlarm gives you, but that it does it without being bloated like so many other Security software suites out there. The anti-virus does not slug your system down like so many other anti-virus programs do, but yet still provides adequate protection. Their anti-spam rarely catches anything, so I’m not sure how useful it is, and the same could probably be said for the anti-virus. Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware seem to be much better in the anti-spam department, but since it uses virtually no resources a little redundancy is never a bad thing, right? Then again, you are paying for this, whereas Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware are both free…but I digress…
Conclusion—
As I mentioned earlier, I can be a bit stubborn. I’ve been using ZoneAlarm for so many years that I’m really reluctant to change, but I’m afraid I’ll have to. It’s only a matter of time before ZoneAlarm becomes as bloated and useless as McAfee or Norton, and with other popular suites coming around I’m sure there will be something I can feel comfortable moving towards when this subscription comes to an end. I tried AVG, not bad, but I feel it could use some improvements before I make a commitment. The point I’d like to make is that there are other great firewall/security suites out on the market right now, and considering Check Point Software’s lack of respect for their own customers wants and wishes, and the dumbing down trend they appear to be on, I’d recommend trying other firewalls/security suites first.
I agree with Jon Pastor
This product does not actually do what its features claim to do. For example Outbound MailSafe should prevent your computer from sending out emails without your permission–which some viruses can accomplish.
But this function has been inoperable for several months. I have made at least 5 inquiries to ZA since October complaining about this non-operational feature. Response: “we’re working on it.”
Nowhere, however, do they warn you that the function DOES NOT WORK and hasn’t for several months.
This isn’t just me. This function no longer works on my office’s computers and it doesn’t work on my home computer. I’ve even asked ZA customer people to test it on their computers and they admit it isn’t doing what it’s supposed to do. So beware.
ZoneAlarm BIG TROUBLE
I too have used ZoneAlarm for years and have been satisfied. Now I have ZoneAlarm Extreme. It appeared OK. They offer several optional add-ons. PC tuneup Pro is one I bought. It went through the motions and cleaned up some dead links and junk but I could not see any improvement in boot-up time or reduction in hard drive run-on. I’ve often wondered what would happen if someone broke in and stole my computer. Almost all of us have account information, etc on our computers. That concern prompted me to purchase their drive encryption program. The program began installation but then terminated, ending with error messages:
Pointsec PC error:
An unexpected problem has occurred and Prot_srv needs to close.
The above message is repeated for all four errors: PstartSr, P95tray, ZLclient. (4 errors total) These errors repeat faithfully upon reboot. The program did install the logon screen which pops up early in the boot process. When I tried to remove the software, a message says “removal is enabled once your drives are encrypted.” In my case, the program is in limbo. It has a logon screen but the install did not complete and nothing is encrypted. I tried this in safe mode also. This is a major problem. Zonealarm will not run any more either because of the errors.
I sent detailed messages to ZoneAlarm tech support. No matter what messages or information I sent, they responded with, “we understand you want to remove the software.” It was like they could not comprehend anything I was saying. The guy appeared to have no interest in solving anything. I tried contacting the company that actually produced the software but their website is boiler plated so nobody can get a message through to them.
I don’t expect that ZoneAlarm staff would be intimately familiar with everything inside a vendor’s software but it seems like if someone has a problem like this, they would try and contact the producer to get help. But that never happened. This is the WORST customer support NIGHTMARE I have ever had.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR: AVOID THESE PRODUCTS! Bottom line? I paid about $65 to irreversibly trash my computer. No help in sight. Due to the nature of the encryption software it appears that I will have to replace my hard drive or maybe buy a new computer.
Pop Up Display Stands
