ZoneAlarm is an
internet security
Internet security is a branch of computer security. It encompasses the Internet, browser security, web site security, and network security as it applies to other applications or operating systems as a whole. Its objective is to establish rules ...
software company that provides consumer antivirus and firewall products. ZoneAlarm was developed by
Zone Labs
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. is an
Israeli multinational provider of software and combined hardware and software products for IT security, including network security, endpoint security, cloud security, mobile security, data security a ...
, whose CEOs were Kevin Nickel, Mouad Abid and Shahin and the Company was acquired in March 2004 by
Check Point. ZoneAlarm's firewall security products include an inbound
intrusion detection system, as well as the ability to control which programs can open outbound connections.
Technical description
In ZoneAlarm, program access is controlled by way of "zones", into which all
network connections are divided. The "trusted zone" which generally includes the user's
local area network
A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, campus, or building, and has its network equipment and interconnects locally managed. LANs facilitate the distribution of da ...
can share resources such as files and printers. The "Internet zone" includes everything without the trusted zone. The user can grant permissions (trusted zone client, trusted zone server, Internet zone client, Internet zone server) to programs before they attempt to access the Internet (e.g. before the first use) or ZoneAlarm will ask the user to grant permissions on the first access attempt.
"True Vector Internet Monitor", also known as "TrueVector Security Engine", is a
Windows service
In Windows NT operating systems, a Windows service is a computer program that operates in the background. It is similar in concept to a Unix daemon. A Windows service must conform to the interface rules and protocols of the Service Control Manag ...
that is the core of ZoneAlarm. In the processes list its Image Name is "vsmon.exe". This monitors internet traffic and generates alerts for disallowed access. "Operating System Firewall" (OSFirewall) monitors programs and generates alerts when they perform suspicious behaviors. The OSFirewall is useful in preventing
rootkits and other spyware. "SmartDefense Advisor" is the name ZoneAlarm give to a service available in all versions that helps the user with certain types of alert, using a database of trusted program signatures to provide the user with advice on allowing or denying Internet access in response to program requests.
The current free version of Zonealarm has an ad for the paid version that pops up every time you turn on your computer after a short delay.
Awards and certifications
Both the free and Pro editions of ZoneAlarm Firewall were designated as ''
PCMag''s Editor's Choice in 2017.
Controversies
As of January 2006, ZoneAlarm was reportedly sending data to the company's servers in a covert fashion. A developer dismissed allegations that ZoneAlarm was spying on its clients, saying that it was an issue related to software updates and that it would be fixed.
In December 2007, a
browser toolbar was shipped with ZoneAlarm as an opt-out, which was not well received. This was removed in later versions of the software.
On September 2, 2010, the free version of ZoneAlarm started showing a "Global Virus Alert" popup as a
scareware
Scareware is a form of malware which uses Social engineering (security), social engineering to cause Acute stress reaction, shock, anxiety, or the perception of a threat in order to manipulate users into buying Potentially unwanted program, unwa ...
tactic to get users to switch to their paid security suite. The popup was turned off by ZoneAlarm marketing team after an uproar from disgruntled users, many of whom uninstalled the software.
See also
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Comparison of antivirus software
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ZoneAlarm Z100G
References
External links
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{{Antivirus software
Firewall software
Antivirus software
Windows-only shareware
Windows-only freeware
2000 software
Windows security software
Security software
Israeli brands