Free Zone Alarm creates a huge number of `TMP' and daily `LOG' files

Hi

While I like Zone Alarm's free firewall, I find it does creat a huge number of `TMP' and daily `LOG' files.

Can anybody tell me why I should keep this files - short of the current date? I feel they are simply consuming unnecessary HD space. I also would not delete the master log `text' file.

Any advice please.

 

Hello Welt,

Its been a long time since I've used ZA free, use Pro. See if the option of logging to the same ZAlog can be changed from daily to a longer period of time - I have it set up for a weekly cycle. I'll look them over and get rid of the oldest weekly log.

The temp files can be deleted periodicaly, I do so on a regular basis when I clean everything else out.

Regards - Charles

 

ZA

Thanks Charlesvar

I've not spotted the option you mention but will look again. I've already gotten rid of the `TMP' files and they're in limbo...no ill effects it seems.

Now I feel comfortable about deleting the logs.

Curious, but why do you feel the Pro version is superior? I've thought of it but when one is on limited pension,........! Must the Pro edition be renewed annually? Being in US funds makes it more costly for we folk north of the border.

Best of the season to you and yours.

 

Hello Welt,

Haven't used the free version since v2.x, so don't really know whether that option is there. In the Pro version, it's under the preference tab. You might ask at the ZL forums http://forums.zonelabs.com/zonelabs

From what I've read, the free version's firewall functions just the same as Pro's - no difference. The reasons I have it is for the added functions such as ad blocking, cookie control, web filtering, e-mail scanning for executable extensions, and now with v4.x, rule making capability - individual IP/Port blocking.

Yes, the license has to be annually renewed.

Best to you and your's on this holiday season.

Regards - Charles

 

ZA

Thanks.

 

Welt--I have an ancient free version of ZA. On the Control Center's Alerts window, I have the option of keeping the log of alerts or not. And if I do there is a button for Delete Log. So there would seem to be no functional reason why you cannot get rid of the ZALog.txt. It only allows you to review what IP's are probing your ports, which is not too terribly interesting info most of the time.
I do not see any option to create daily, weekly, etc. logs-- just the one.
Glad you raised the issue. I found that my ZALog.txt had grown to a 10MB file in just the last four months. Have now deleted it.
Where are you finding the .tmp files?

 

Hi Jim,

*Where are you finding the .tmp files?*

On a WinME system: :\Windows\internet logs

Examples: xDB2346.TMP - xDB2356.TMP - xDB2366.TMP

Don't run ZAP on XP.

Regards - Charles

 

charlesvar--Thanks. My .tmp files are in the same directory on Win98.
I guess we have decided there is no purpose in keeping them, right?
Do you know what purpose they serve? Mine are in code.
As mentioned I deleted my ZALog.txt. Wonder if they work together with it?? (And now that the log is deleted, perhaps the .tmp files serve no purpose at all.)

Is that cautionary advice you are giving us, or rather just a comment that you do not use ZAP?

 

Hi Jim,

*I guess we have decided there is no purpose in keeping them, right?*

I've been getting rid of them on a regular basis with no ill effects.

* Do you know what purpose they serve? Mine are in code.*

I looked at them again beause of this thread. Some of the contents are readable. Catch references to Internet Zone - Intranet Zone. I'm assuming that they are "scratch pads" for the user parameters. Never noticed any coordination between them and the log file both of which I delete with varying regularity - meaning I don't always delete them at the same time.

The XP reference was not cautionary at all. In the back of my mind was that in XP, files are not always kept in the same folders as in 9X. Did run ZAP on XP early on, and it did run fine, but decided to run a different brand of firewall there - Sygate - and just kept ZAP on WinME.

The other reason for using Sygate was because I wanted to learn rule making. Sygate is both an application based firewall - with which I was familiar with, as well a rule making one. Thought having app protection while I was going thru the rule making learning curve was the way to go. Sygate actually gives the user more info on what's going on such as port info.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Regards - Charles

 

This morning I got an update notice for a later version of ZA Free. Don't know if I was running an older than the current one or not. The update is:

4.5.538.000

 

Hello Mudd,

There was a previous v4.5.530 from last month which was problematic, I never installed that one because ZL almost immediately on the heels of that version sent out notifications that they were going to issue a newer version - the one you got the notification for - 4.5.538

One of the changes is the manual update notification option is back. ZL got a lot of grief over it's absence in the previous 4.5.530 version.

Regards - Charles

 

Charlesvar

Thanks for the info. I remember on the BBS that someone was talking about that subject. Just didn't know what I was getting.

Again, Thanks.