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ZONEALARM PRO V4 |  |
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| Product Reviews from Amazon.com (Rating System 1 to 5) |
| Review | Rating | Last Updated | Zone Alarm
I've been using Zone Alarm for many many years and always upgrade when it expires. It's by far the best firewall I have ever used and even sweeps spy ware. | 5 | Today | Problems with Zone Alarm Pro and Win XP
I have used Zone Alarm for a long time. A while back I decided to buy Zone Alarm Pro to start paying for the service: Big mistake. I was going to install it in my laptop, a Toshiba Satellite, but as with many Toshibas it developed problems and stopped recognizing the DVD-CD unit and the USB, so I waited. Recently I bought a new PC with Win XP and decided to install it. After completing the installation ZoneAlarmPro reported that the license was expired and locked my PC. Now I cannot boot. It doesn't recognize the hard drive. I am trying to find a way to recover my data before I reinstall the Operating System, but so far I haven't found out how. The recovery CD warns me that the recovery will wipe out all the data in the C:\ drive. An absolute disaster, until I decided to install this otherwise never installed before CD, I had no problems with my new PC, now I am looking forward to spending hours of work to reinstate my PC to its original state. Never again will I buy such an irresponsible piece of software. Buyer beware! | 1 | Today | good unless you network
This is great for a standalone PC or laptop.
If you network, it may cause big problems even when disabled or not running. It happened to me, it's documented on Google once you get deeply entangled in TCIP etc etc, basically make sure you completely uninstall it before networking in any way at all... it makes registry changes that it only corrects on uninstalling that prevent any networking no matter how you configure or completely disable it. Uninstall is the only solution.
Wish I'd known that before wasting a whole day trying to fix problems it caused. | 1 | Today | crappy registration, poor upgrade choice(s)
First, the good news.
1. The product worked okay, when I installed ONLY the program off of the CD rom [no updates/upgrades]
2. Tech support responded quckly.
The bad,
1. Registration key problems. Your initial install, w/o a registration key, gives you like 15 days [or 30, I forget].
Since it gave you like 15 or 30 days to get the key installed correctly, it wasn't a big deal. But it involved dealing with a 3rd party, Encore.
2. I finally got my ZA4 Pro [the boxed version], registered, and it said I was good for 370 days.
3. Then it went to auto-update. They offered a FREE Update/upgrade to a current version security suite. It was the ONLY update offered, so I took it.
I installed the auto-update and it then reverted to a 15 or 30 day expiration. It started asking for a product key.
4. and SURPRISE, the regular key [from the CD] is no longer working.
5. a real pain-in-the-buttocks
6. I removed everything associate with ZA.
I re-installed ZA4 pro and left it. No update, no upgrades.
It's working again, it has 370 days until expiration.
I'm not touching it again, now that it is workngi. | 3 | Today | Crippled copy V 4.0 forever
I bought a 2nd copy of this program to use on my other computer. I received a crippled copy that required registration to receive a key by e-mail that would entitle me to 12 months of free updates and upgrades. I registered it when requested during installation and after a few days had NOT received the key. I e-mailed tech support and received a confused response telling me that I had to either register it with Broderbund or with Encore USA. I thought I had registered it with Broderbund but registered as well with Encore USA and have still NOT received a key from either Broderbund or Encore. When I tried to call Encore, I was kept on the line 15 long distance (NJ to CA) minutes without being able to connect with customer service. I finally hung up. I now have a crippled copy of ZA Pro 4 that I can't register and can't update or upgrade. Their customer service ISN'T. The product is good but it's worth nothing if registration is impossible thus making it impossible to update or upgrade. | 3 | Today | XP Users Beware!
I do not recommend either the download from web version or this boxed version. Zone Alarm caused Windows XP Professional system errors (that caused my computer to memory dump and shutdown). The firewall and virus did not detect late June 2004 virus, which corrupted my computer. After extensive research on tech blog boards, I found that the software was the cause of my system failures / errors. While not the only effective firewall and virus package out there, I personally found Norton easier to use and effective. I recommend free download of Stinger tool (do a web search on Google). I also do not recommend MacFee which the Sasser C & F virus did not detect - even with daily updates. When all else fails, have the information nearby on how to reload your operating system (Dell has it on their site). In addition, keep latest worm removal tools on a memory stick or CDROM just in case your firewall does not catch the latest bug. My first two virus invasions, I was able to use removal tools available free on the web. The last one (late June) I could only remove the invader by reformatting my memory stick and reinstalling my operating system. If your system begins dragging, there is a good possibility that is has a virus! Be prepared. | 1 | Today | ZoneAlarm Pro "User"
I've had ZoneAlarm Pro for about 18 months on my home computer. Unfortunately, some of the recent upgrades to the product now block me from accessing my HP printer. I checked on the internet and quite a few other people are having the same problem. I put ZoneAlarm Pro on my work computer and it caused connectivity problems and the IT folks at work needed to remove the application. I can no longer use the product because of the problems it causes. | 2 | Today | Great Home protection !
I Love Zone Alarm, for home systems. When I install an O.S., I immediately insatll Norton's Anti-virus & Zone Alarm, before connecting the computer to the internet. Then, as each application asks permission to use the connection to the internet, I either Accept or Decline the request. For a couple of days, this can be a bit annoying, and frustrates people who want to quickly show you something on the internet--but, overall this is a good thing. If you take a few days to Install, Update and configure Zone Alarm, on a home system, you Rarely find any Spyware or Adware in the system (unless you click the wrong buttons or download things you chould't from the internet). I have been *very* pleased with Zone Alarm--even if it frustrates my friends. Personally, I would rather take a little extra time to Accept or Deny a program's access to the internet, than wasting all the time it takes to clean-up a system that is infested with Spyware, Adware, etc. Sometimes, I must spend over an hour removing Spyware, Adware and restarting virus protection, remotely, on corporate systems (that are running McAffee and a dummed-down firewall). One thing people need to realize is that A.V. protection is just ONE of the major requirements for running a Windows system. Currently, if you are not running A.V. protection, a Firewall (!!!), Microsoft Updates and "Spybot Search & Destroy" (or a similar Spyware / Adware removal tool that is well-tested), your system is destined for Doom. A good combination, for great protection, is : "Norton Antivirus 2004 Professional," by Symantec & "Zone Alarm." However, if you do not do the Microsoft Updates, your system will be toast, regardless, and you can plan on a lot of O.S. re-installations. I also recommend using a Router with a built-in firewall, in combination with Zone Alarm, but the average person needs at-least Zone Alarm. "An ounce of Protection is worth a pound of Cure." | 5 | Today | A decent firewall until the latest release...
I would have to say this is one of the better firewalls out there*. I've done some research between ZA (ZoneAlarm), Norton, BlackIce, Tiny, and Sygate. ZA seemed to be the most stable, had the highest user ratings, and good set of features for the money. They even have a free version (trimmed down somewhat of course). *The caveat to this review is that the latest version -v5.0.590.015, is the most unstable version of software I've ever used. It caused all sorts of problems on my system and a lot of wasted time. I've been up to their support forum and there are TONS of other users with all different types of problems with the latest version. I'm pretty disappointed with the QA that went into that version - seems like there wasn't any. I've had ZA since its 3.x release (about a year or so) and up to this point have been pretty pleased. Rating up to the latest release - solid "A" Rating for the latest release - "D-" and that might be generous. If you're planning on picking up ZA, just wait for the next release. | 3 | Today | Unreliable Company
Zone Alarm Pro 4 upgraded itself to version 5. There was no warning about known incompatibilities with Internet Information Server (IIS). We have had more damage done to our computing environment from this one act than all viruses, spyware and spam can do in a year. We cannot believe a company would put out a software with such a glaring deficiency and not run a proper beta test, offer a one click revert option just as convenient as the upgrade itself rather than making us hack registry editors and such, not apologize and not offer any compensation. They think they are in the business of protecting you and me. What we need is somebody to protect us from them. Don't be the first to buy or to upgrade any of their products as they should come with warning labels. Use the free product if you can get an older reliable version of it and even then cross your fingers. | 1 | Today |
| *Pricing and product information listed is obtained from the merchants and is subject to change without notice. Shipping costs are estimated based on UPS ground within US, unless specified otherwise. While we try to validate this information,we cannot assure its validity and therefore disclaim any responsibility for its accuracy or completeness. Always check the latest price, availability, shipping, tax, and product information directly on the merchant web site before purchasing. |
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