Downloa-Of-The-Day : ZoneAlarm

Software firewall ZoneAlarm protects your Windows PC from viruses and hackers penetrating open ports on your computer.

If your computer’s connected directly to the Internet (ie, not behind a home router or office network firewall), download and install ZoneAlarm. ZoneAlarm adds a layer of protection between you and the evils of automated programs that constantly scan computers for vulnerabilities.

Especially important for Windows laptops which connect to open wireless networks, ZoneAlarm will ask you to authorize all outgoing an incoming network traffic to your computer - including all software applications that connect to the Internet. (These days, they all do.) You can permanently authorize or block programs within ZoneAlarm. The initial white/blacklist takes some time and a series of interruptions to set up (ie, “iTunes is trying to connnect to the Internet. Allow it to continue?”) but after the inital investment, it’ll stop bugging you and you’ll rest assured knowing your computer is protected.

Windows Firewall caused all sorts of strange problems for me, including preventing certain programs from starting at all. ZoneAlarm, however, is a breeze to use and manage. It’s especially satisfying to view reports of all the blocked high security hacking attempts. ZoneAlarm’s basic package is a free download, Windows only.

Update: There are a few problems with version 6.0.667 of Zone Alarm detailed in the ZoneAlarm Users’ Forum. Like most Zone Alarm users, I am continuing to use version 5.5.094.000 and will only upgrade to version 6 when the problems have been fixed. I haven’t had any “sudden email problems,” but downloaders beware.

Download ZoneAlarm [ZoneLabs]

Die Dulci Fruere