Steffan Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 My boss ask me for a list of Pros and Cons for ZoneAlarm (all versions). Here's a list of what I got so far: Pros: It will ask you if an app can contact the local network and/or Internet. It will log everything that goes to and from your computer It blocks everything No back doors to break You can password protect the console screen Automatically detects new networks NAT and ICS friendly With the Pro edition, you can find out where in the world the IP address comes from With the Web Filtering, you can secure passwords and it will warn you about sending passwords across a clear-text line Blocks cookies and popups You can block all traffic from coming in and going out with one click of the mouse Cons: It will ask you if an app can contact the local network and/or Internet You might have to "open" a port for some apps to work correctly Some apps will not work with ZoneAlarm at all Sites that deals with cookies may not work correctly Animated gifs won't work correctly What else should I add to the lists? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neoranga Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Well, I have ZA Pro version 4.5.594.000(most recent one) and I have had no problems loading animated gifs, and I browse over a dozen sites every day that require the use of cookies and have no problems with them. It all depends on how aggressively you set your Privacy features. "It will ask you if an app can contact the local network and/or Internet" - If you don't want to be asked this everytime, simply check the "Do Not Ask Me This Everytime" box when it pops up and the answer you give, it will use everytime without asking you. The thing about openings ports is true for only the older versions of ZA Pro. I used to have to open some to play Anarchy Online but I dont anymore, same with Everquest. As for any apps that just refuse to work with ZA Pro, I have not found one yet in the several years I have been using it. ZA Pro has really grown since its release and is a very good software firewall, I would say that taking into consideration cost, performance, ease of use and reliability it is the best siftware firewall in my opinion. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2088965 Share on other sites More sharing options...
puma1 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 How about the pure fact that you shouldn't use your pc as a firewall? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2090431 Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumbleph1$h Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 puma1 said: How about the pure fact that you shouldn't use your pc as a firewall? pssh....... :angry: Like Neoranga said, basically everything in your "cons" list is a result of the way you have ZA set up...... :p Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2090445 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoDaddy Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 One con I have noticed - Sometimes it's kinda hard to figure out what program is askign for rights. It only has the program name, not its path. I love it, though. I use the Pro version. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2090446 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+virtorio MVC Posted May 11, 2004 MVC Share Posted May 11, 2004 JoDaddy said: One con I have noticed - Sometimes it's kinda hard to figure out what program is askign for rights. It only has the program name, not its path. I love it, though. I use the Pro version. I agree. I wish it would give you more information about what program is asking for network/interface access. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2090456 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoSigma Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 JoDaddy said: One con I have noticed - Sometimes it's kinda hard to figure out what program is askign for rights. It only has the program name, not its path. I love it, though. I use the Pro version. Isn't the path always listed under entry details? :huh: You can also right click on the program name and click properties to find out the path as well. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2090522 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+virtorio MVC Posted May 11, 2004 MVC Share Posted May 11, 2004 NeoSigma said: Isn't the path always listed under entry details? :huh: You can also right click on the program name and click properties to find out the path as well. Good point, but why the hell should I have to go into ZoneAlarm, open the Programs menu (which takes 30 (38 to be exact) seconds to load) and then find the program in that list, when they could just add a the path name to the Confirmation popup. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2090536 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PseudoRandomDragon Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Quote It will ask you if an app can contact the local network and/or Internetomg, it is so hard to click on the "yes" button. Oh the agony. Well, as stupid as that is to complain about, you can actually configure ZoneAlarm Pro to automatically deny internet access for each new program Quote You might have to "open" a port for some apps to work correctly This is true for all firewalls. Quote Some apps will not work with ZoneAlarm at alleMule seems to be the big one for some people. Quote Sites that deals with cookies may not work correctly Privacy tab > site list and give the site checks for cookies. Whala. Quote Animated gifs won't work correctlyAgain, change the privacy settings. Quote What else should I add to the lists? Will not work with a dumb user. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2091453 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steffan Posted May 11, 2004 Author Share Posted May 11, 2004 please lock this thread since noone is helping me. all I asked for was more pros and cons and noone has done that. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2092018 Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiREFLi Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 why do you want us to? you obviously have the program and you yourself compiled a long list of pros, what is the thread trying to achieve? I use the free version because im cheap. does anyone know how to open specific ports? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2092035 Share on other sites More sharing options...
computergod820 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 I"ll stick with tiny. Zone alarm does have some issues . You didnt state if this was for his personnel pc or a company network. If it's the latter no way in hell would I use zone. a hardware firewall is a must. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2092081 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoDaddy Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Steffan said: please lock this thread since noone is helping me. all I asked for was more pros and cons and noone has done that. Dude, that's what nearly everyone is doing.... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2092277 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblivion Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 ZoneAlarm (N) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2093341 Share on other sites More sharing options...
demorgoron Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 how about this pro it protects you from hackers :rolleyes: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2093372 Share on other sites More sharing options...
computergod820 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 lmao yeah protects you from script kiddies not true hackers. Professionals send 2 lines of code to it and turn it off. but we wont talk about that :0 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2093458 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PseudoRandomDragon Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 Nobody is going to believe you computergod because... you are full of it. Quote I use the free version because im cheap.does anyone know how to open specific ports? Can't open ports for the free version. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2095005 Share on other sites More sharing options...
#Michael Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 computergod820 said: lmao yeah protects you from script kiddies not true hackers. Professionals send 2 lines of code to it and turn it off. but we wont talk about that :0 I highly doubt that is true.....if it is please provide me with your source. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2095030 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syn_Flood Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 demorgoron said: how about this proit protects you from hackers :rolleyes: How about this con. No it doesnt. Zonealarm has more holes than a sponge. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2095658 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syn_Flood Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 AthleticTrainer1981 said: I highly doubt that is true.....if it is please provide me with your source. How about these? ZoneAlarm Local Device Driver IO Control Code Execution Vulnerability Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Syn Flood Denial Of Service Vulnerability Zone Labs ZoneAlarm MailSafe Bypass Vulnerability ZoneAlarm Random UDP Flood Denial Of Service Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall Port 67 Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm MailSafe Extension Dot Filtering Bypass Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) Zone Labs ZoneAlarm SMTP Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm Pro/Plus MailSafe Filter Bypass Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) Multiple Personal Firewall Vendor Outbound Packet Bypass Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) The list goes on and on... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2095704 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syn_Flood Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 puma1 said: How about the pure fact that you shouldn't use your pc as a firewall? Puma is entirely correct in this. Using your PC as a firewall is moronic. Even more moronic when you consider you're using a system based on WINDOWS to perform a SECURITY task. What a contradiction. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2095714 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimplyPotatoes Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 pro : starts with a Z con: too many sylables Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2095720 Share on other sites More sharing options...
computergod820 Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 First off im getting into this debate again. It's been provided and proven before. do a little research and you'll see the sources for yourself. besides it's against neowin rules.. Remember just because you cant do it does'nt mean it cant be done. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2095739 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PseudoRandomDragon Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 Yes about these, well lets see: ZoneAlarm Local Device Driver IO Control Code Execution Vulnerability Wow, that effects 3.0 and below. Oh wait, we are on version 4.5 now. Darn, I guess they are quite a few months too late on that one. Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Syn Flood Denial Of Service Vulnerability Same as above. Zone Labs ZoneAlarm MailSafe Bypass Vulnerability Why are you wasting my time with vulnerabilites that effect very old versions? ZoneAlarm Random UDP Flood Denial Of Service Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) ZoneLabs basically said it was all bullcrap. ZoneAlarm Personal Firewall Port 67 Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) Wow, I would be scared if I was running 2.6 I will get to the rest later..... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2097255 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PseudoRandomDragon Posted May 12, 2004 Share Posted May 12, 2004 Okay lets continue... ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm MailSafe Extension Dot Filtering Bypass Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) Effects a old version... Zone Labs ZoneAlarm SMTP Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) ::claps:: horray, this is the first one that actually holds merit. However, this only really effects people with SMTP servers. ZoneAlarm isn't ment to be used on a server anyway. This has been fixed in the latest version. ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm Pro/Plus MailSafe Filter Bypass Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) Never heard of this one. I'll get back to you on that... Multiple Personal Firewall Vendor Outbound Packet Bypass Vulnerability (Vulnerabilities) Put this link in the mail and send it to "two years ago, History Drive" when I might have cared. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/165864-zonealarm-pros-and-cons/#findComment-2097502 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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