ZoneAlarm Pro Antispyware

ZoneAlarm got its start as a powerful personal firewall application. Over the last few years, they've added much to their PC spyware protection. ZoneAlarm Pro has created a comprehensive antispyware, firewall, antispam, and identity theft protection, solution.

Like other antispyware applications, ZoneAlarm Pro can be a bit frustrating upon initial installation; especially if your PC is already heavily infected. The good news is, ZoneAlarm Pro is highly cabable of protecting your computer against all forms of spyware and other malware.

Editor's Overview

• Thorough spyware detection and removal
• Tough-tested Firewall
• Excellent attack prevention
• Good anti-spam
• Bonus identity theft protection
• Low system resource use
• Game mode

ZoneAlarm is known for its powerful firewall, and this version is no exception. Thorough independent testing proved time and again that the ZoneAlarm Pro firewall expertly blocks any attempts to attack or disable it. Even when attempting to outwit and change expected patterns, testers found it nearly impossible to crack ZoneAlarm's firewall security.

On top of that, the initial spyware detection and removal process is as good as it gets when it comes to finding, removing, and cleaning up spyware traces. The downside is that the initial install may be bumpy for those with heavy spware infections. ZoneAlarm needs to reboot several times, and several pop-ups indicating actions to be taken can be annoying at first. But once the system is clean and stable, ZoneAlarm Pro is more than capable of protecting against spyware, and other malware.


ZoneAlarm Features

• Windows Vista users get:
• Network and Program Firewall
• Operating System Firewall
• Identity Theft Protection
• Anti-Spyware
• Game Mode
• Wireless PC Protection
• SmartDefense™ Service
• Low system demand
  • * Windows 2000/XP Users Also Get:
  • Spy Site Blocking
  • Privacy Protection
  • Email Security

Another drawback is the scan results page. ZoneAlarm doesn't list the detected spyware in any particular order making it difficult for the user to determine the threat level of each malware found. However, testing showed that ZoneAlarm rarely found any non-malware items. So, removing spyware/malware according to ZoneAlarm's recommendation shouldn't worry you too much.

ZoneAlarm Pro uses MailFrontier as their spam protection. It blocks spam well (except for image spam which any program has trouble identifying) and scans attachments also (2000/XP only *).

A nice bonus that they didn't have to include but did is their identity theft protection. While not rock-solid, it's still very impressive. Basically, the system scans dodgy internet sites for your credit card numbers as well as protects you from phishing while surfing. On top of that, ZoneAlarm offers an "Identity Theft Recovery Unit" that will walk you through identity recovery. And if that wasn't enough, they've even advance you up to $2000 cash if you lose your credit cards while traveling. Nice touch.


Support
Extensive support including email, FAQ, forums, paid tech support by phone.


System Requirements

Vista (32-bit):
• Pentium III 800 MHz or higher
• Minimum system RAM: 512 MB
• 50MB of available hard disk space. Internet access.
Windows XP/2000 Pro:
• Pentium III 450 MHz or higher
• Minimum system RAM: 128 MB
• 50MB of available hard disk space. Internet access.

Conculsion

Overall, ZoneAlarm Pro is a very complete spyware and malware protection package. With one of the best names in firewall protection, ZoneAlarm Pro makes for a powerful, total-protection software program. Aside from the rough installation process, and less than stellar user interface, ZoneAlarm Pro is one of the best anti-spyware products we've seen this year.