ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.5 review

Robert Vamosi CNET

Published: 03 Jul 2006

Why is CheckPoint's ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.5 monitoring credit card solicitations in your real-world mailbox? Because a majority of the identity theft cases are the result of real-world, non-computer-related thefts of credit card applications from mailboxes. In addition to providing antivirus, anti-spam, anti-spyware, anti-phishing and firewall protection for your PC, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.5 will now actively monitor and protect your identity offline. In the boldest move we've seen by any security software company, ZoneAlarm has partnered with identity management solutions provider Intersections to proactively monitor your identity online and, should you ever find yourself a victim of identity theft, help you recover (note: some of this functionality is only available to US users). In addition to this free service, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.5 also introduces spy-site blocking, a new game mode and beefed-up anti-spyware and OS firewall protection.

Setup & interface

Installation either by download or by CD is quick and easy. After answering a few marketing-type questions, such as how important virus protection is to you, ZoneAlarm launches. Wisely, ZoneAlarm's makers haven't changed the program's clean and intuitive interface. Features such as Firewall, Antivirus and Parental Controls run down the left side of the screen. There's a column for advice regarding each feature section, then there's the main screen, including layered tabs for configuration options. Why McAfee and Norton haven't switched to a similar design is beyond us.

Features

Compared with other Internet security suites from Symantec, McAfee and even Microsoft, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite offers the strongest firewall protection of the bunch. ZoneAlarm remains in two-way communication with your firewall whenever you are connected to the Internet. As new threats emerge, ZoneAlarm is able to pass along new firewall rules and, in the case of extremely malicious activity, shut down any program that attempts dangerous activity.

With its three layers of protection, ZoneAlarm guards at the Internet gateway so that intruders don't get in, on the desktop at the program level so that bogus programs don't connect to the Internet, and inside the operating system kernel where rootkits and other malware can hide. The suite offers additional protection against viruses and spyware. For antivirus protection, ZoneAlarm uses CA eTrust EZ Antivirus. For anti-spyware protection, ZoneAlarm compares your system against its own collection of malware, and then quarantines or removes any offenders it finds.

For anti-spam and anti-phishing protection, ZoneAlarm uses MailFrontier. To keep your personal information from leaking out on to the Internet, ZoneAlarm includes an encrypted vault. ZoneAlarm then monitors IMs, emails and the Internet for inappropriate access to this information. For example, if a remote hacker were somehow able to access your National Insurance number from another file, ZoneAlarm would compare that number to the one in the vault and, if it matched, would block its transmission, and then offer a pop-up requesting permission to continue. ZoneAlarm monitors IM activity and can block dangerous links and audio and video, as well as individuals who are not on your contact list. ZoneAlarm includes a parental-control panel, offering preset categories of content to block. Gamers will appreciate a new option which quiets the pop-up messages from ZoneAlarm while you are playing a full-screen adventure game.

With version 6.5 of ZoneAlarm Pro and ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite, ZoneAlarm has partnered with an identity management company to monitor use of your personal information in Internet black markets or IRC channels. There are also free services, including how to opt out of credit card solicitations by snail mail -- often the source of 'Dumpster-diving' identity thieves -- and plenty of educational sites where you can learn more about preventing identity theft. ZoneAlarm, partnering with Intersections, will monitor illegal use of your credit cards by checking shadowy black markets and Internet forums. If your personal information is found, you'll be notified and told what you can do to prevent fraud and abuse. We think ZoneAlarm's focus on identity theft in this version more than justifies the suite's £39.95 (inc. VAT) cost.

But all is not yet perfect within ZoneAlarm. Pop-ups remain an issue, flashing whenever you restart your computer as various processes and services request control. You can ask ZoneAlarm to remember your decision to allow or deny access, but many readers have complained in the past that ZoneAlarm remains 'noisy'. One improvement is the use of a new rounded pop-up message for suspected spyware and phishing sites. Even jaded users such as ourselves couldn't help but notice the different style of message in the lower-right corner.

On the plus side, despite adding new features to ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite, the program remains relatively light when compared to Norton Internet Security Suite and McAfee Internet Security Suite, taking up far less space on the hard drive and producing only a slight performance drag.

Service & support

Included with the purchase of ZoneAlarm Internet Security 6.5 is one year of software updates and both email- and keyword-based virtual support, along with access to a well-attended user forum. There is still no phone support available outside North America, though.

Unfortunately, ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.5 lacks printed documentation. The tutorial, while helpful, is still more of a marketing tool than an informative one. However, the built-in help file is excellent, thorough, and very specific, effectively balancing detail and clarity. And the ZoneAlarm online forums are active, with users worldwide eager and willing to answer your questions -- something neither Norton nor McAfee offer.

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