ZoneAlarm
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010 |
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| Developer(s) | CheckPoint Software Technologies LTD. |
| Initial release | 2.0.26 / February 16, 2000 |
| Stable release | 9.1.007.002 / December 2, 2009[1] |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Available in | Multilingual |
| Type | Firewall |
| License | Freeware / Commercial |
| Website | www.ZoneAlarm.com |
ZoneAlarm is a software firewall originally developed by Zone Labs, which was acquired in March 2004 by Check Point[2]. It includes an inbound intrusion detection system, as well as the ability to control which programs can create outbound connections—the latter not available in the Windows XP Service Pack 2 firewall. As of August 2009[update], the newest release is ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2010. ZoneAlarm was formerly known as Zone Labs, the usage of which is declining.[3]
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[edit] Features
In ZoneAlarm, program access is controlled by way of "zones", into which all network connections are divided. The "trusted zone" generally includes the user's local area network and can share resources such as files and printers, while the "Internet zone" includes everything not in the trusted zone. The user can specify which "permissions" (trusted zone client, trusted zone server, Internet zone client, Internet zone server) to give to a program before it attempts to access the Internet (e.g. before running it for the first time) or, alternatively, ZoneAlarm will ask the user to give the program permission on its first access attempt. Windows 7 is also supported in the latest version (2010).[4]
[edit] True Vector Internet Monitor
"True Vector Internet Monitor", also known as "TrueVector Security Engine", is the core of ZoneAlarm. It is a Windows service which runs as "vsmon.exe" in the processes list. This Monitors internet traffic and generates alerts for disallowed access.
[edit] Operating System Firewall
Operating System Firewall, OSFirewall for short, is a feature in ZoneAlarm paid versions only. This monitors programs and generates alerts when they perform suspicious behaviors.
[edit] SmartDefense Advisor
SmartDefense Advisor is a service only available in premium versions of ZoneAlarm that helps the user with certain types of alerts. This utilizes a large database of trusted program signatures in order to provide the user with further advice upon requests from the program in regards to allowing or denying access to the Internet.
[edit] Versions
- ZoneAlarm: A freeware version which includes a web and local network firewall with outbound program control and port stealthing.
- ZoneAlarm Pro: This offers a OS Firewall identity protection, pop-up blocker, adware detection, cookie blocker. It does not have Antivirus features.
- ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware: Includes all the features of ZoneAlarm Pro, as well as privacy and identity theft features.
- ZoneAlarm Antivirus: Includes ZoneAlarm firewall and antivirus protection provided by Kaspersky Labs.
- ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite: Includes all the features of every product with additional IM security and an anti-spam filter engine provided by MailFrontier and a parental control. It is the most expensive ZoneAlarm product.[5] It is now given out freely with TrialPay. [6]
- ZoneAlarm Force Field: A virtualization engine that shields the computer and personal data from Internet and computer-based threats. It includes several layers of protection to combat phishing, spyware and dangerous file downloads.[7]
- ZoneAlarm Extreme Security: A comprehensive version that includes all the features of all other versions plus ForceField and computer optimization and data backup tools.
- IMSecure: Protects and encrypts chat from the following IM clients: (AIM, Yahoo!, MSN, ICQ, Trillian). It protects the user's personal information and other IM threats.
[edit] Discontinued versions
- ZoneAlarm Plus: Discontinued from late 2004 for having fewer features than ZoneAlarm Pro but selling for almost the same price.
- ZoneAlarm Wireless Security: Discontinued on October 19, 2005, because its functions were included in all paid versions of ZoneAlarm from version 6 onwards.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2009/pr_10.html
- ^ Check Point acquires Zone Labs March 2004
- ^ Graphic Resources: ZoneAlarm by Check Point
- ^ http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2009/pr_10.html
- ^ "ZoneAlarm product comparison". zonealarm.com. http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/znalm/comparison.jsp. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
- ^ http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en/cdn/cfu/za2AEN.htm?ver=80_298_000&oem=1025_update&offer=blank&lid=en&source=InClient+CFU&medium=ZoneAlarm+Firewall&content=OEM1025&term=English&cid=C200019
- ^ "ForceField feature summary". zonealarm.com. http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/beta/forcefield/about.html. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
[edit] External links
- Official ZoneAlarm Site
- Official ZoneAlarm Blog
- Official ZoneAlarm User Forum
- ZoneAlarm Australia Support site
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