SillyDog701

[James]

My yearly subscription is about to run out on two security programs I have so I'm wondering about the new security suite from Zone Labs (version 6.5). Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

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[Antony]

James,

Does your router/modem have built-in firewall? If so, you might also want to enable it. (Most people do not enable the firewall in their routers/modems.)

I don't use ZoneAlarm. Only the built-in Firewall in Mac OS X and my ADSL modem's built-in one.

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[Don_HH2K]

In my experience, ZoneAlarm became way too bloated for use once version six came out. For the most part, the Pro version (to which I had a subscription) started doing more than it was supposed to.

Personally, I'd recommend you try NOD32 as an antivirus system, a combination of a router hardware firewall and XP's built-in firewall, Windows Defender and/or Spybot for spyware protection, and Firefox/Thunderbird's built-in security controls for privacy settings.

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[Tidus]

Hello,

Regarding ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm Security Suite, I do not recommend using it, as myself, my wife Kasumi, and a few of KJC's customers have had problems with it.

There is a bug that causes a BSOD under Windows when a USB device is plugged in, it causes the following Stop error:

[tt]NO_MORE_IRP_STACK_LOCATIONS[/tt]

I have used it on 40 of our company training room machines, running Windows XP, and the domain controllers running 2003 Server, and both OSes do it, no matter what the configuration, even a newly built barebones machine does it.

My wife tested it on her testbed machines at home, she's a programmer, and her testbeds are running all versions of Windows, from DOS to Vista Beta 2, and the following versions of Windows are affected:

Windows 2000

Windows ME (Millennium Edition)

Windows XP (all versions)

Windows Server 2003 (All versions inc Small Business Server, Enterprise, and Standard)

Windows Vista Beta 2


We've notified ZoneLabs about it, but so far they haven't got back to us!


There's two articles on our company blog that will provide more information:

ZoneAlarm Security Suite alert

Copy of post to ZA Tech Support


The bug doesn't happen with the Free version, as this doesn't have the USB Antivirus protection, which is the cause of the bug in the Pro version.

Kas is in the process of testing new firewalls and suites, she's due to get back to me later on tonight or tomorrow about it, i'm currently away from home.

If you need any more help, just ask!

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[Don_HH2K]

The bug doesn't happen with the Free version...

The free version still has trouble working with some USB devices, most notably at least one Pocket PC handheld. For some reason, the proper drivers won't even get loaded if ZoneAlarm Free is running.

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[Tidus]

I haven't tested it on a pocketPC, i don't have one, and don't intend getting one......

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[James]

I had no idea there were all these problems. Thanks so much for this information.

I use Sunbelt's CounterSpy along with Ad-aware, Spybot and Spyblaster for spyware. Currently I am also using the free version of ZA but now given this information, I'll definitely hold back on the suite.

Does anyone have any experience with Kerio's firewall? I've never used any firewall except for ZA so I'm hesitant to try something new. Kerio was purchased by Sunbelt and they do offer a free version of the firewall.

Thanks for all the information, everyone.

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[Mandrake]

I had no idea there were all these problems. Thanks so much for this information.

I use Sunbelt's CounterSpy along with Ad-aware, Spybot and Spyblaster for spyware. Currently I am also using the free version of ZA but now given this information, I'll definitely hold back on the suite.

Does anyone have any experience with Kerio's firewall? I've never used any firewall except for ZA so I'm hesitant to try something new. Kerio was purchased by Sunbelt and they do offer a free version of the firewall.

Thanks for all the information, everyone.

I use Kerio Personal Firewall on machines that aren't protected by a router. It's quick, efficient and doesn't have a large memory footprint.

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[James]

Is it relatively easy to configure... say of the nature of ZA (given that is the limit of my experience)?

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[Antony]

James, if your PC is getting old, and thinking about getting a new computer instead, I have a good suggestion - get a Mac.

Macs are easy to use, safe, powerful, and best of all, they run Windows applications natively!

You can boot into Windows (natively) through Apple's [sdt=11185]Boot Camp[/sdt] (currently in Beta), or use [sdt=11565]Parallels Desktop[/sdt] that allows you to run Windows under Mac OS X.

(Please note, the Mac OS X itself is strong and safe, but Windows installed under Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop is just same a Windows on a PC, you still need virus and firewall protection for Windows.)

For more information, please see Apple's Get a Mac - Run Windows.

[img=left]http://sillydog.org/pix/apple_store_88x31.gif[/img]P.S. When you decide to buy a Mac, please remember to use Apple Store links from SillyDog701, and support SillyDog701.

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[Tidus]

This thread has suddenly gone from discussing firewalls, to Antony reccommending a Mac!

LOL, Antony, are you half asleep friend? I recommend you have a big shot of caffeine!

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[beanboy89]

This thread has suddenly gone from discussing firewalls, to Antony reccommending a Mac!

Indeed. What does buying a Mac have to do with firewalls?

Methinks that's an off-topic post!

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[Antony]

Well, Mac OS X has strong built-in Firewall,

And according to Get a Mac website, Mac does not have 114,000 viruses or 850 new threats against Windows (detected).

While no computer connected to the Internet will ever be 100% immune from attack, Mac OS X has helped the Mac keep its clean bill of health with a superior UNIX foundation and security features that go above and beyond the norm for PCs.

So, Mac is an ultimate solution for safety... isn't that the reason we need firewalls?

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[Tidus]

Yeah, I see your point Ant, but why buy a whole new machine, just to get a firewall? If James is comfortable using his PC, and has been doing from day 1, like myself, he'd have to learn a new OS and machine from scratch.

Don't get me wrong, I like Macs, I just got an old one from Greg, and like using it, but I mostly use Windows programs. My missus Kas has just bought a Mac Mini, and has installed Win XP on it, alongside OS X Tiger 10.4 so I'll bribe her to let me have a go on it, and maybe I'll get one!

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