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Has Zone Labs Lost It?
Latest release again plagued by problems
Over the last few months, upgrading your Zone Alarm software firewall has been a lot like playing Russian Roulette. That trend continues with the release of version 6.0, which isn't getting a warm welcome in the Zone Labs forums. Says one user: "Version 6 has got to be the most secure and powerful firewall software ever. The only thing that could offer more security would be unplugging my computer from the router, breaking it to pieces with an axe, and throwing the parts in the deepest trench in the ocean."
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Damon85
Premium Member
join:2004-12-25
Houston, TX

Damon85

Premium Member

They're not wrong...

After using the thing myself, having it incessantly reset settings and ask me every 5 mintues with regularity whether I want to allow MSN Messenger to monitor my keystrokes/mouse movements (even after I tell it to stop asking me), I would have to say the comment in the topic is damn truthful...

ZoneAlarm is on my "don't renew" list. The license expires in November. I'm running short on patience though, it might not even last that long...

NPGMBR
join:2001-03-28
Arlington, VA

NPGMBR

Member

Re: They're not wrong...

I must say that I am so glad that I opted to be reminded in 60 days about the update. After that last big update I learned my lesson quite well. However, funny thing is ZASS bugs me to update every time I log-on. It does not pay attention to that fact that I opted to be reminded in 60 days. LOL

I don't plan on installing this update until all the bugs are work out. I love ZASS but not willing to be a test candidate particularly after the last be update.

Tech-2005
@dsl.irvnca.pacbell.n

Tech-2005 to Damon85

Anon

to Damon85
I don't get it ? I read all these horror stories about Zone Alarm and Zone Alarm Pro version 6. When my previously latest version 5.5 told me a new version was available I went to the Zone Labs site and took a look. There was one update to ZAP 6 so I downloaded it and ran it for an install. ZAP 6 install shut down the older version of ZAP and asked me how I wanted to install version six and I chose to do a clean installation. It installed perfectly even though my Webroot Spy Sweeper and MS Antispyware went nuts requesting approval. I simply allowed the changes, rebooted and all was good. I let ZAP 6 set up all the preferences to make it easier and I even kept the ZAP 6 antispyware portion running. I went through the usual set of training and made sure that I checked the box so that it would remember my preferences for all the applications that needed access through the firewall. All other applications were handled by ZAP's automatic settings that determine whether the app is legitimate or not. I did one more reboot just for fun and all was well. Sure I did get the Windows Messenger is logging the keystrokes warnings but I figure this is a bug and should be fixed in the next release. Meanwhile I notices that Windows Messenger was trying to run all the time even though I have it disabled. I simply Googled Windows Messenger and linked to the Microsoft Support site where it showed a simple five step regedit to completely stop Messenger from running at all. After editing I rebooted one more time and Messenger quit running and all has been good since.

Zone Alarm Pro Version 6 is one of the most impressive security programs I have ever used ! I love it! It tells you whenever any program is accessing parts of your system that it shouldn't, it monitors for spyware using the Pest Patrol engine, its smoother and faster than ever. I think it runs much more stable that any previous version. If the security warning pop ups keep annoying you just check the box to remember your setting to always block or always allow and you are good to go. After using ZAP 6 I don't understand what all the negative hype has been about. The first releases of ZAP 5 were bad and that I will admit but ZAP 6 is really good. Anyone bitching and moaning about bloatware are completely nuts. I don't consider an 8MB Zone Alarm Pro file bloatware. I find this latest version to have zero connection problems and many little fixes from the 5.5 and lower versions. I have all the settings set to maximum security. In addition to having the Zone Alarm Antispyware (Pest Patrol based) I also am running McAfee Antispyware, Norton System Works 2003, MS Antispyware, Webroot Spy Sweeper, SpywareBlaster and Spybot S & D. I have FOUR antispyware programs running in real time. My computer is not a power house. It is rather average Athlon XP 2600+ with 512MB DDR. My version of XP Pro was installed on this machine over three years ago. Zone Alarm Pro and Norton 2003 have been protecting it solidly for that entire time along with the addition of various antispyware products through the years. I HIGHLY recommend Zone Alarm Pro 6 for all heavy users of the internet. I only might post a warning for pure novice users who might get frustrated at the new Zone Alarm's incredible number of options and settings. Anything you don't like in the new version can be turned off or tuned down to your liking to make it more like previous versions.

One more point to make regarding the ZAP antispyware...I did one deep scan of the system which took over an hour and I believe it came up with what I think are two false positives that are well documented as being a carry over from Pest-Patrol false positives that have not yet been corrected. One was relating to a file in Spybot S & D that is a fix for computers using Kazaa software and the other was a dll file that was related to benchmarking software. Neither false positive came up on the quick scan. Other than those two issues I really like the antispyware portion of Zone Alarm Pro as it is added to my collection of working antispyware programs already installed. Even will all this running my computer runs fast and snappy without any slowdown that other people have reported after installing the Zone Alarm update. I actually think that the new Zone Alarm is faster than any previous version I have used in the past two years. ZoneAlarm Pro 6 is an amazing security firewall package !!!

gitmo
@208.230.x.x

gitmo

Anon

Re: They're not wrong...

if bugs manifested themselves in every instance then the product would not be released. you just got lucky.

dweeb-1
@pol.co.uk

dweeb-1 to Tech-2005

Anon

to Tech-2005
I agree with you re:problems. I've been running ZAP for about 3 years with not too many problems . My only one persistent problem is my desktop takes longer to fully load. It used to take ~45s to load. Since the upgrade to v6
load up time has doubled. I've gone through the usual msconfig fiddles with no success. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

HOWEVER i can live it knowing my comp is safe.

My system is AMD64 Winchester 3200+,av8 pro mobo, 1GB OCZ ram:):)
joshpo
join:2002-09-24
Collingswood, NJ

joshpo

Member

No problems here

After having problems with some 5 upgrades I did a clean install when upgrading to 6 and I have not had any problems. I definitely recommend that if anyone is having issues. The red notification boxes are a bit annoying, I wish it had better settings out of the box.
RavenTKR
join:2003-05-12
Cleveland, OH

RavenTKR

Member

Re: No problems here

I also have not had any problems. Like you I did a clean install. I agree that the red warning boxes are occurring more frequently than in the previous version.
In the OS Firewall log it displays new entries, such as Access Keyboard, Global Windows Hook, Windows Message, Spawn Process, among others.
raye
Premium Member
join:2000-08-14
Orange, CA

raye

Premium Member

Re: No problems here

With the exception of some early 5.5 issues I have had no problems since I started using ZAP in 1999.

In fact, my ZAP 6.0 works on my Windows 2003 SP1 member servers.

Multiple different computers installed, no issues thus far.

However, the incessent alerts are annoying.

montana3087
Say hello to my little friend
Premium Member
join:2001-05-03
Denver, CO

montana3087 to joshpo

Premium Member

to joshpo
I'm not having any problems either. When version 5 came out I had problems and switched back to 4.5 and then after a ZLs came out with a new update did I get to work again. The keyboard alerts are going to happen if you keep installing new software on your computer. If most of BBR is like me you will be seeing it a lot, because if you aren't installing, then the alert wouldn't pop up.;)

Tech-2005
@dsl.irvnca.pacbell.n

Tech-2005

Anon

Re: No problems here

Yep, the first release of ZAP version 5 was horrible and I also reverted back to the previous 4.5 version. They finally got the ball rolling with the later 5.1 releases and the last 5.5 release was quite solid. However I prefer this second release of version 6. I heard that many who installed the first release had connection issues. They apparently corrected that problem. They still need to fix the Windows Messenger key logging false warning and tweak the Pest Patrol anti-spyware definitions a little more. With that all being said I really like the new version. It is really an awesome program. I almost feel tempted now to check out the entire security suite 6 when they release the retail version. I just have been reluctant to trust the Computer Associates Antivirus program they use. It is probably decent but I have had good success with Norton 2003 (I have read that Norton 2004 and on is a bloated stinker).

poor boy
@204.251.x.x

poor boy

Anon

no parking ZONE.

Just get the freeware version of Sygate firewall, thats all.

freebird317
Premium Member
join:2004-02-23
Vancouver, WA

freebird317

Premium Member

Re: no parking ZONE.

Sygate has problems with sending email in Outlook 2003 for me.
deadzoned
Premium Member
join:2005-04-13
Cypress, TX

deadzoned

Premium Member

Seems like

Seems like there are enough free and pay alternatives out there to compete with Zone Alarm. Good thing too because it looks as if something is going on with them.

One or two bad patches over the course of a long time is something that happens but they seem to have messed up several patches in succession. Not good.

ylen131
join:2000-02-09
Canoga Park, CA

ylen131

Member

Re: Seems like

i use sygate pro on my desktop and it works great. I dumped zone alarm long time ago

pokesph
It Is Almost Fast
Premium Member
join:2001-06-25
Sacramento, CA

pokesph

Premium Member

Ok this gets better..

The Forums Are Closed For Maintenance

The forums are currently undergoing maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please try again later.
beers90125
join:2003-07-24
Kankakee, IL

beers90125

Member

Re: Ok this gets better..

He-he.

ylen131
join:2000-02-09
Canoga Park, CA

ylen131

Member

Re: Ok this gets better..

forum working now
CameraAssist
join:2004-03-05
Miami, FL

CameraAssist

Member

Alternatives???

What is the best alternative to Zone Labs Zone Alarm Pro?

I have been using it for the last 2 years without problems.

My Subscription has expired and I am worried about upgrading to 6.0

What else is good?

ylen131
join:2000-02-09
Canoga Park, CA

ylen131

Member

Re: Alternatives???

sygate

Phoenix2088
join:2002-12-04
Strongsville, OH

Phoenix2088

Member

Re: Alternatives???

Another thumbs up for Sygate, works great.

Fatal Vector
@dsl.sfldmi.ameritech

Fatal Vector

Anon

Re: Alternatives???


Tiny personal firewall.

Glaice
Brutal Video Vault
Premium Member
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY

Glaice

Premium Member

Re: Alternatives???

Kerio 2.1.5
ryouga12
join:2001-06-12
Cleveland, TN

ryouga12

Member

Re: Alternatives???

I'm going to agree with the Kerio there. I've been using it and it's been a great secondary firewall, next to my netgear router. Kerio has let me see what is trying to get out of my computer, and what is coming inside. Heck, it's stopped some random named file from connecting to the internet. Let's just say after I discovered this, I locked the computer down, til I ran everything...AV and Spybot.

Even the free version gives you a ton of options to work with.

qdemn7
Smurf in My Loop
Premium Member
join:2003-09-16
Fort Worth, TX

1 edit

qdemn7 to CameraAssist

Premium Member

to CameraAssist
Sygate Personal firewall Pro. »smb.sygate.com/

I've used Zone Alarm Pro for over three years, but the last 12 months have convince me to quit Zone Labs products, permanently. Even though I'm behind a router, I can't leave ZAP up for any length of time because it kills my connection. I thought I had hardware problems, I'd lose my connection and nothing I tried would work except rebooting my system. I swapped NICs, did clean installs of XP Pro, nothing. Finally all I had to do was stop ZA, and instant connection. The next problem turned out to be that if I left ZA off for too long, my connection would be lost.

I finally gave up on ZAP. I've read good things here and other sites, about Sygate, and two weeks ago, with 5 months still left on my ZA subscription, I uninstalled ZAP, installed the free version of Sygate, and haven't had a bit of trouble. I'm getting ready to upgrade to the Pro version.

Zone Labs has taken a once great product and turned it into a POS. I would never recommend ZA to anyone, even the free version.

Tech-2005
@dsl.irvnca.pacbell.n

Tech-2005

Anon

Re: Alternatives???

If you are using the SBC connection software then beware. I had so many problems with those programs that load in the background when XP starts up. I recently used a feature in Spy Sweeper 4 to disable those SBC programs from starting up and now I have NO more connection issues. That SBC software including the Motive.exe program monitor your system and communicate with the SBC DSL modem. However, in conjunction with Zone Alarm they slow your connection and constantly cause it to drop. I would have my DSL connection drop all the time and I would have to click on to open and then close the SBC self support software two or three times before it reconnected. It was really depressing especially when I requested during the time I set up the SBC account that it DOES NOT install ANY software except what is needed to establish a new account. It installed all this crap including the Client Foundation software and this other stuff that screws up your connection when using Zone Alarm. What a nightmare ! You might want to check your msconfig file to see if you can disable that SBC software. If you are using the Yahoo browser and other software doing this might make some of those additional Yahoo programs cease to function in addition to the SBC self support program.

qdemn7
Smurf in My Loop
Premium Member
join:2003-09-16
Fort Worth, TX

qdemn7

Premium Member

Re: Alternatives???

Thanks for the tips, but I uninstalled all that SBC / Yahoo crap a Looonnnggg time ago. I use Google as my Homepage, and the only Yahoo functions I use are the email and Photos upload. I've got a DLink router so THAT takes care of the accessing the SBC account. I don't have an SBC broadband portal on either my PC or G4 Mac.

I've know it's the ZAP since I've had my PC up 24/7 since I installed Sygate, and have not had a bit of trouble accessing the net.

Once again thanks for benefit of your experience.

Tech-2005
@dsl.irvnca.pacbell.n

Tech-2005

Anon

Re: Alternatives???

I thought I would try to help with some info and throw in my two cents into the discussion for what its worth. You know what they say about free advice...sometimes you get what you pay for. Anyway, maybe you do have it all disabled but then again maybe you don't. I thought I removed all of those programs last year after I signed up with a new account but I was wrong. Those SBC connection programs like to hide in dark places only to pop up when you least expect like a bizarre form of virus or spyware. I run a Linksys VPN router with the 5100b Efficient modem. I had to tweak the settings to get the most out of this setup. I left the router as it was with it doing the PPPoE automatically and the Linksys is grabbing the IP address from the modem similar to how you set up most cable modem connections. Now that I disabled all that SBC crap that was hiding in the background my connection never drops. Before I used to get drops several times a day, weird issues with applications, the browser not loading when first opened, etc.. Now it is rock solid 24/7 along with ZAP 6 installed. Zero problems here with ZAP 6, Linksys and SBC. If Sygate works for you then great. I wouldn't mind trying some of these other firewalls but I have had so much good luck with ZAP (except for the first versions of ZAP 5) and now ZAP 6 I feel is the best release yet.

dchrsf
DD
join:2003-08-28
Palm Harbor, FL

dchrsf to CameraAssist

Member

to CameraAssist
Try out NetVeda Saftey.Net

Works awsome on my box! low resource usage..good features.

»www.netveda.com/consumer ··· ynet.htm

Notsoanonymous

Anon

Re: Alternatives???

Have you ever tried leak tests etc. with Safety.net and what not? I heard it fails a bunch of them. I never bothered with testing that much out since the computer I tried safety.net (v3.61 free) on was behind a router with NAT. However, what problems I did encounter was the fact that it didn't remember trusted application settings as well as specific rules when encountering user accounts over time. More or less, even though kaspersky and internet explorer were trusted applications, they mysteriously quit working and was blocked by Saftey.net unless you delete them from the list and add them in again. The same thing happens for individual rules for a user account except it gets more complciated; you have to delete the account and remake it. There may be no problems if you only have one user however.

It did have very low resource usage and the parental filter based on ratings was fairly decent overall I suppose but nothing special. While free, I really can't recommend Saftey.net to anyone based on my trials. As for a free solution, I did have a fairly good experience with Sygate but after trialing several firewalls, I settled on outpost pro for the paid one to get.
t3freak
join:2004-04-11
New Port Richey, FL

t3freak to CameraAssist

Member

to CameraAssist
Sygate Pro. Yep!

jayster46
@dsl.sfldmi.ameritech

jayster46 to CameraAssist

Anon

to CameraAssist
started with zone alarm, found it to be a resouce hog.
went to tiny. much better but became a money program.
kerio was next as they wrote the engine for tiny.
tried sygate, no joy
tried outpost, no dice
have been running jetico firewall for the last year.
jetico may be the only software firewall to use stateful packet inspection and is free.
rt firewall may be worth looking into as well.

Tech-2005
@dsl.irvnca.pacbell.n

Tech-2005

Anon

Re: Alternatives???

I doubt that any of those firewalls even come close to protecting the way the new Zone Alarm Pro 6 does. Sure they will all block most unwanted ingoing and outgoing packets but the extra features of ZAP 6 such as cookie handling, selective mobile code (script) blocking, pop mail attached executable file quarantining, and the new OS system file security and anti-spyware security. This program kicks some serious butt !!! Anyone who really wants ultimate internet security will look into using ZAP 6 along with a good Antivirus program.
solgae84
join:2000-12-07
Boyds, MD

solgae84

Member

Zone Labs lost its marbles

I used to use zone alarm during the version 2,3 and 4 days, but now I don't use it anymore.

The dreaded "half download bandwidth cut-off" problem never goes away starting on version 5, and version 6 continues that trend for any of my computers I own. I can't believe zone lab isn't doing anything about this problem, and clean uninstall before reinstalling doesn't work either.

Needless to say, I switched to Sygate long time ago and been working without problems. Sygate 5.6 (free version) is the way to go.

PhoenixDown
FIOS is Awesome
Premium Member
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY

PhoenixDown

Premium Member

Re: Zone Labs lost its marbles

Im using an old version of ZA but I am going to switch to seagate 5.6 and check that out. Thanks

Cozworth
Premium Member
join:2003-06-10
england

Cozworth

Premium Member

Re: Zone Labs lost its marbles

Have the fixed the awful memory leak with this version?

Jim Gurd
Premium Member
join:2000-07-08
Livonia, MI

Jim Gurd

Premium Member

No more software firewall

I don't even bother with a software firewall anymore. A router, IE-Spyad and safe hex are all the protection I need. I am even starting to turn off the resident protection on my virus scanner.

Simply watching where you surf will go a long way towards keeping malware off of your machine.

•••••
barky
Premium Member
join:2001-03-17
San Diego, CA

barky

Premium Member

...its a piece

Zone Alarm has always been a piece.

rogue_
I Have A Secret Window
Premium Member
join:2001-10-17
Lake Hiawatha, NJ

rogue_

Premium Member

Really?

I find it hard to believe that there are people still using this software.

Quaoar
join:2004-08-11
Fort Collins, CO

Quaoar

Member

Re: Really?

The user community as a whole seems to have little memory. ZA has had update problems for close to a decade (if my memory is not failing). ZA has singular history of extremely poor quality assurance in new releases; and even worse, failing to step up to the plate and admit that there are problems in the face of thousands of verified complaints.

I will propose that *any* software firewall is better than ZA since each release is a suspected work in progress with users expected to do quality assurance.

...similar to the world's most-used operating system.
petrus
join:2002-01-09
Atlanta, GA

1 edit

petrus

Member

This is the last straw!!!

Don't these morons beta test this sh**? I WILL NOT renew my license after it expires. These guys obviously have no clue as to what they are doing. I have had nothing but problems since installing version 6. I am going to unistall it and install a previous version and use that one until my license expires. What a joke of a company!!!

john Qwest
join:2002-05-24
Fishkill, NY

john Qwest

Member

Has Zone Labs Lost It?

I sent Zone Alarm by the way side shortly after they were taken over by Check Point, That first update after the take over was horse dung and the last time I used it.

HotRodFoto
Premium Member
join:2003-04-19
Denver, CO

HotRodFoto

Premium Member

Sygate

Why does anyone bother with ZA anymore, The AOL of Firewalls? Sygate, get it, install it, and kiss yer probs goodbye.
raye
Premium Member
join:2000-08-14
Orange, CA

raye

Premium Member

No, they have not lost it

They have just decided to behave like other software companies. Most people (outside DSLR) do not upgrade right away. Certainly most corporations do not upgrade their software.

They are using us to beta test their software. This is what Microsoft, Symmantec and other folks do. But from a firewall vendor like checkpoint (zone labs parent) I would prefer to see better. I for one have rarely have issues with ZAP, least not enough to require a deinstall/removal.

I suspect ZAP does not test beyond fully patched Windows XP systems, but that is just a guess on my part.

•••••

freeze
I'm not even Greek
Premium Member
join:2001-05-13
Ohio

freeze

Premium Member

Kerio 2 for life.

I've used Zone Alarm, I've used Sygate, I've used the 'latest' and 'greatest', I've used Tiny.

I always come back to my trusty Kerio 2.1.5.
soundguy72
join:2004-01-02
Sarnia, ON

soundguy72

Member

Long Time Ago...

Zone Labs lost it a long time ago when they double-billed me for a license key, and would only issue a refund if i signed an affidavit swearing that I'd removed all traces of the software from my computer. I still wanted to use the software, just didn't need two license keys... they wouldn't relent, I wouldn't sign unless the statement was true, so I had them issue a refund for both keys. Software was bogging my system down anyway... junk.
st7860
join:2004-05-13
San Francisco, CA

st7860

Member

Re: Long Time Ago...

said by soundguy72:

Zone Labs lost it a long time ago when they double-billed me for a license key, and would only issue a refund if i signed an affidavit swearing that I'd removed all traces of the software from my computer. I still wanted to use the software, just didn't need two license keys... they wouldn't relent, I wouldn't sign unless the statement was true, so I had them issue a refund for both keys. Software was bogging my system down anyway... junk.
Thats silly that ZL chose to get NOTHING for 2 keys rather than give you what you wanted.
soundguy72
join:2004-01-02
Sarnia, ON

soundguy72

Member

Re: Long Time Ago...

Exactly... that's why I haven't used their product since, have turned many people away from it, and claim they lost it a long time ago, not just with their latest updates.

Nerdtalker
Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
MVM
join:2003-02-18
San Jose, CA

Nerdtalker

MVM

Did anybody even read the post that 's quoted?

The user was being sarcastic, he continues:
said by Post in ZA forum:

As soon as I installed it, it went to work. It blocked each and every program on my PC from accessing the net. It was so diligent I couldn't even access Zone Labs! Excellent work, people.

Then it prevented me from logging on to the PC.

Then it stopped Windows from even completely starting.
Rob850
join:2003-04-11
Mary Esther, FL

Rob850

Member

Re: Did anybody even read the post that 's quoted?

Just use AVG with Windows Firewall on XP 2 with a NAT router.

Rob

OverBurn
join:2004-02-21
Greenwood, IN

OverBurn

Member

Re: Did anybody even read the post that 's quoted?

said by Rob850:

Just use AVG with Windows Firewall on XP 2 with a NAT router.

Rob
Then you have absolutely no outbound protection.
dthatcher7
join:2005-01-11
San Diego, CA

dthatcher7

Member

No problem ZA config...

Use ZA free version with program control turned off. I have never had problems this way.

P00pzors
@aliant.net

P00pzors

Anon

Re: No problem ZA config...

Kerio Personal Firewall, i have tried them all and this one is the best, all the other firewalls give false reports and slow down my connection but kerio don't and still offers the best protection!, if ur gunna get a software firewall look for nothing other then kerio personal firewall!

Grail Knight

Premium Member
join:2003-05-31
Valhalla

Grail Knight

Premium Member

To much...Way to much

Instead of concentrating on maintaining an excellent low impact firewall like their v4 series Zone Labs is following the herd that thinks more tools are better and not even doing a very good job for that matter.

Either Kerio or Sygate will be my next choice in 30 days. It should be 60 but after the fiasco of ZAP v6 and a frozen notebook I will skip out early. My AV expires in 30 days yet KAV has earned the price of admission again.

Tokidoki
Premium Member
join:2002-08-26
South Richmond Hill, NY

Tokidoki

Premium Member

Lucky?

Weird, I have had no problems with ZA with this update. I dont get that MSN problem with keystrokes or w/e someone mentioned above.

Also, I didnt install the suite but just the ZA Pro thing with just the Firewall and the spyware (which I kept off) cuz of Ad-aware, Spybot, CWSShredder, etc..

Have had no problems. Heck, AVG is taking up more memory atm (10mb).

••••
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