Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

b1700002 reviewed v4.5.594.000 on Jan 16, 2010

ZoneAlarm is crap, and caused uTorrent to hang under 64-bit "Windows 7". It is also documented to cause Firefox hangs under Vista. Stay away from this ill-tested software. "Comodo" may be a suitable firewall replacement.

samlar reviewed v4.5.594.000 on Nov 8, 2009

The latest program will cause major problems with many programs such as Powerdvd It give false postive for the RarePacker.Multi.Generic virus and removes part of the program. It also causes problems with nero and clonedvd buring software stay away until they get it fixed.

AwareConsumer reviewed v4.5.594.000 on Jun 30, 2008

Since ZoneAlarm business practices caused me to waste time, thought I'd waste a bit more time writing this review.

FIRST - Even though I use the same credit card for all online purchases, when I tried to purchase ZoneAlarm online and clicked the button to finalize the purchase, I received the same page with a message in red text that the billing address must match what's on my credit card.

I double checked the data and tried two more times, but kept getting the same message. So I called customer service. Unfortunately, there isn't any way they can get past the problem since their database is the same as the one online users use. It was suggested that I call the credit card company.

I did. The info had not been changed. No explanation as to why ZoneAlarm (and ONLY ZoneAlarm) had inaccurate info. But here's the thing, every time I received a message that the info didn't match, ZoneAlarm sent a pending purchase to my credit card company - EVERY TIME! There was no message that they were sending a charge to my credit card EVEN THOUGH THEY SENT ME A MESSAGE THAT THE INFO DIDN'T MATCH. But here is the worst part, I was using my debit card and if the repeated charges had totaled more than what was in my account, I would have been overdrawn. My credit card company verified that ZoneAlarm repeatedly sent "pending" charges, which wouldn't have been removed until somnetime the next business day. I was told that it is up to each company to make that business decision.

SECOND - When purchasing the product, checks are already in boxes for additional products and if you don't notice, the charges are added to your total. So basically, they put extra products in your basket and it's up to you to notice before you check out! If you try to zero out the products and update the amount, it never completely removes all extra charges so you have to start all over with a new screen.

All of these low end business practices serve to waste your time!

Apparently, someone at ZoneAlarm doesn't believe they can do well enough by keeping everything above board.

mtattne reviewed v4.5.594.000 on Dec 18, 2007

How to make your computer unusable in 5 easy steps (I just did this): 1. Upgrade to the latest ZoneLabs Internet Security Suite. 2. Lose patience with it requiring your permission for ZoneLabs' own virus scanner to scan each file on your hard disk (among numerous other stupidities). 3. Try to uninstall it and watch the uninstaller crash. 4. Try to re-install it and wacth the installer crash (twice). 5. Try to restart your computer and watch Windows hang during the boot process. It's hard to believe that I paid money for this. Buy any other Internet security product but ZoneLabs'.

Nikkie reviewed v4.5.594.000 on Sep 15, 2007

Really good program.It keeps your pc on lockdown.I used to use this one.I now use the security suite..

These programs would be considered bloat due to being an ''all in one'' deal...

zonealarm programs are combo's with a few different flavors..

most people who dont know how to use it skip it for more mainstream or free programs that offer less security (avast,avg,comodo)

wari reviewed v4.5.594.000 on Dec 30, 2005

bloated, suitable for inexperienced users, highly popular but severely impaired. More modern personal firewalls are more effective and require less bloat.

clawso1 reviewed v4.5.530 on Nov 19, 2003

Hey Failed CRC, you must be on "Dope" or "Dog" food!!! Because it's obvious that you don't know how to use the program at all!

Dwarden reviewed v4.0.146.029 on Aug 30, 2003

Tested this new version, still bloated, some stability issues also it get problems with advanced trojans (not laughly outdated symantec/gibsons tests). Kerio PF 4.0.2, Tiny PF 5 and Agnitum Outpost PF 2 seems to be much better in these areas...

cees2000 reviewed v4.0.146.029 on Aug 30, 2003

ZoneAlarm sucks, big time. Why pay for something like this crap when there's Sygate for free!

Vantorax reviewed v4.0.146.029 on Aug 29, 2003

FailedCRC. Are you reviewing ZoneAlarm Plus or ZoneAlarm Freeware? Because I can do what you claimed it can't. Just go in the options of the application you want.

FailedCRC reviewed v4.0.146.029 on Aug 29, 2003

sorry, still not convinced. there is also no way to restrict applications from accessing specific ports, you can only "allow" or "deny" access, whatever that means?

CyberDoc999 reviewed v4.0.146.029 on Aug 29, 2003

Very bloated and unstable
use Kerio instead.

PWT999 reviewed v4.0.146.029 on Aug 29, 2003

I don't find it heavy on sys resourses, I use it on a very fast AMD & also on a old K6 400mhz & a 500mhz with little if any slowdown. I fine it a very stable unobtrusive firewall & had no doubts when renewing my subscription this year. My only critiziam of it would be the somewhat garish interface but I can live with that.

betasun reviewed v4.0.123.012 on Jun 29, 2003

...I think the plus version is better than ZA pro .i use
a 3.7 plus trial and it works good .ofcourse it could have
some new and better features .zone alarm needs
a renaissance !

jcorque reviewed v4.0.123.012 on Jun 22, 2003

I guess I should consider myself fortunate after reading the negative comments regarding Zone Alarm Pro. Since my experience has been great; why change!

ssb reviewed v4.0.123.012 on Jun 22, 2003

Buggy, bloated, huge garbageware.
I don't know why so many use it while there are so many strong and powerfull firewalls around ? (Kerio, Tiny, etc)

Johnson reviewed v4.0.123.012 on Jun 22, 2003

buggy

lion7718 reviewed v3.7.159 on Mar 31, 2003

Still have to give 4 stars, it is still not as stable as 3.1.395. It is better than 3.7.143. It still shows blank screen when running for a few hours...when you click on the Tray Icon to bring up ZA, you get a frame & it's all blank where the Info should be...when you click on a different screen it all comes back to normal.
ZA still needs to add an Impost/Expost button so we don't have to type in all the blocked IPs after a clean install.

veeoh reviewed v3.7.143 on Mar 23, 2003

well "freedom fighter" it just goes to show how little you know about network security doesnt it.

Just because ZA pops up and tells you someone is scanning you doesnt mean they are. You are on a cable connection, therefore you get a lot of background "noise"

Learn something before making a stupid post

freedomfighter reviewed v3.7.143 on Mar 22, 2003

In reply to a later post on this page, you must be kidding me that Windows XP`s built-in-Firewall is better than Zone Alarm.. I am on a 1mb Cable connection, so far this version has blocked 1500 Attacks.. Win XPs built in Firewall is nothing short of a joke, prehaps even an easter-egg

MMPD reviewed v3.7.098 on Feb 22, 2003

Great Program all around sure beats windows XP's built in firewall by far. Pros: Easy Interface, Excellent Firewall, Decent ip range/ip blocking, good logging ability, and E-mail Protection. Cons: Interface is easy but it sure could look a bit better..., and needs a few more advanced settings.

veeoh reviewed v3.7.098 on Feb 21, 2003

sorry, but why pay for a firewall when xp's built in firewall is just as good.

Only thing that lets it down is lack of report/log files, apart from that its

a) Free!
b) easy to enable/disable
c) did i mention it was free?
d) it port forwards :)

ATMAvatar reviewed v3.7.061 Beta on Feb 2, 2003

It's an okay firewall for average users, but every firewall needs advanced settings that allow for the blocking/freeing of specific ports manually.

wildmanmor reviewed v3.7.037 Beta on Jan 19, 2003

I must agree...Other versions of Zone Alarm are better than this one. It did not recognize several programs. I almost immediately went back to previous versions.

oomingmak reviewed v3.7.037 Beta on Jan 16, 2003

What's up with that interface! Its cheap, nasty and ugly and a step backwards from the previous interface (which was not that wonderful to begin with).

..::]Ben[::.. reviewed v3.7.037 Beta on Jan 16, 2003

It´s one of the best software firewall´s, there are many reasons why.

rburly reviewed v3.1.395 on Sep 25, 2002

I had problems with the prog always asking for permission for net access. I did a clean install, made a change in one setting, and haven't had a problem since. As far as loading too slow, either get more "RAM" or a upgrade your machine. It takes my HomeXP 2 minutes to fully load.

NelsonC reviewed v3.1.395 on Sep 25, 2002

Its a good firewall, a few months of having it installed I and to remove it and re-install it, I could not get on the net.. but once I re-installed it it worked great never really had any problems with it.. looks good but personally www.sygate.com is much better.. but both are great.

borisf98 reviewed v3.1.274 on Aug 17, 2002

Java windows problem is not related to Zonealarm. It is related to ad-blocking or referral-blocking software. At least on my computer it is so.
On the other hand Zonealarm has problems with multiple instances of IExplorer from time to time. I think it can process limited number of simultaneous Internet connections.
So, power-users beware.

Overall a good piece of software.

animecabbit reviewed v3.1.274 on Jul 5, 2002

Great program! No problems except for some java windows that won't open. Of course, I can exclude these web sites...

No problems with loading at all. How is it taking you 3 minutes to load? Do you have a 166mhz computer or something?

Maxwolf reviewed v3.1.274 on Jul 5, 2002

The best firewall protection the world has to offer right now! Go Zone Labs!

CyberDoc999 reviewed v3.1.274 on Jul 5, 2002

ZoneAlarm Plus is very buggy.
Kerio is much much better.

nevers reviewed v3.1.258 Beta on Jun 12, 2002

There is no 3.1.263 beta for ZAP as there is already for the free program?

ditoa reviewed v3.1.258 Beta on Jun 4, 2002

i think you should change it from BETA to ALPHA, actually how about PRE-ALPHA! It uses too many resources and takes 3 minutes to load on my system at boot! Everything else has been loaded for 2 minutes but Zone Alarm is still trying to load, i uninstall it and my system boots up in 30 seconds! i wouldnt advise this to ANYONE, get Kerio instead it is much better.

john_mcpherson reviewed v3.1.258 Beta on Jun 3, 2002

I would have to agree with the lack of support. I have had problemon Windows XP Professional. I sent in several email. I have been hoping that a newer version would fix the problem but without release notes, I doubt I will install it. This would be a great program if it were Windows XP certified. As is stands, it doesn't like Fast User Switching.

MacOSXBetaMan reviewed v3.1.258 Beta on Jun 3, 2002

Another bomb! Still not 100 percent xp compatible. Too many useless options. Hogs a lot of resources. Back to the drawing board.

sirhardi reviewed v3.1.258 Beta on Jun 3, 2002

PUT A FLIPPIN """"CHANGED"""" log in here...what is it with these lazy dudes, that release betas like this, all over the place but wont take the time to give us some release notes on what's changed ???

I had ZL for two ywears or so back when first came up on GRC, i had tons of BlueScreens and it was not W2k as they claiumed, as it was apparent with later releases..now days, no more BSOD's but troubles with wireless routers networks etc......so unless i see some serious intend to get some feedback, I stick with reading the woes on grc........
Sorry but thwey had bewta testers for years and have not bothered to reply officially........

jamwheat reviewed v3.1.258 Beta on Jun 3, 2002

Well gee- this is the program you had to sign up to be a beta tester for.

James Wheat
http://belprecomputerwizard.com