Zone Labs Zone Alarm Firewall - Better than the Windows Firewall?
Windows XP is infamous for its lack of internet security. Microsoft is constantly issuing security updates to fix some problem or another. With the recent release of Service Pack 2 (aka SP2) for Windows XP, they have addressed some of the problems by turning on the Windows Firewall automatically. (To find out more about firewalls and what they really are, take a look at our firewall page.)
There have been other firewall programs, such as Zone Labs' "Zone Alarm", the Kerio Personal Firewall and Norton Internet Security, for many years. Does the new Windows Firewall make these programs unnecessary?
Not at all. The firewall that's built into Windows gives a pretty basic amount of protection. Admittedly, it's better than nothing, but these other programs still offer more complete protection.
Zone Alarm, by Zone Labs, is one of the most widely used firewall programs, and for good reason. Zone Alarm is very thorough and - more importantly - easy to use. There is even a free version that won't cost you a dime.
What Makes Zone Labs Better than Windows?
Both Zone Alarm and the Windows Firewall will block your computer from outside access. The biggest difference between them is that Zone Alarm protects you from outgoing security risks as well as incoming.
There are quite a few different things that can cause outgoing security risks. Viruses, spyware and adware are the most common ones.
Even if you run antivirus and anti-spyware software, there is always the risk that something will slip past them. If you don't have outgoing protection, your personal information could be sent out or your computer could be used as a "zombie" to send mass emails.
Zone Labs' software will block these outgoing risks, while allowing all your legitimate outgoing information through. Zone Alarm also automatically configures a lot of things that are not done automatically in the Windows Firewall. If you play online games, use instant messaging or other things on the internet, a firewall can sometime interfere with them unless it is set up properly.
Zone Alarm doesn't need you to actually go in and configure all these things. It is aware of most of them right from the start, so it is much easier and quicker to manage.
If you're not running any firewall software, or if you've just stuck with what Microsoft has included with Windows, it is definitely worth your while to look at upgrading to something like Zone Alarm.
Click here to find out more about Zone Labs' Zone Alarm and to download a free copy