Zone Alarm Question re Updating

Currently I am running the free version of ZA 5.5.094.000. I understand that there is a security update to version 6.0.667.000. My question is this: is it necessary? I have experienced absolutely no problems this version and hesitate to update it UNLESS it is vital for security. I'd appreciate any feedback.

 

Hey James,

Here's what's new since that version:

Wireless Security Protection
Anti-Spyware (detection and prevention)
Triple Defense Firewallâ„¢ (Network firewall, operating system firewall, program firewall)
Automatic kill control (disables malicious programs)
Fixed network detection issue.
Fixed - POP email not working when co-existing with NAV
Fixed - VSMON crashes when visiting some websites with privacy enabled
Fixed - Anti-Spyware update sometimes "not responding"
Fixed - AV scan will hang on certain files
Fixed - VSMON crashes when sending IDLock item via email
Fixed - On some machines Antivirus/Antispyware can't be enabled
Fixed - Propel compatibility issue
Fixed - SmartDefense Advisor not working with Proxy
Fixed - Multiple 'loopback' entries in firewall zones after upgrade


Liam

 

Hi Liam

Thanks for the information. A couple of things regarding the information. I'm using the free version and not the paid-for so a few things don't apply. What concerns me most is the very negative press it has been getting around the Net. If you go to downloads.com and read the User Reviews, you'll find very few who upgraded were impressed. In most cases they encountered more problems than they solved and ultimately most returned to their previous version. That's the reason I asked the question rather than just plunge ahead to the updated version. Thanks.

 

Hi James,

In my opinion, the answer is no because there is not that great a difference between the 5.x and 6.x version of ZA free - the pro version(s) are a different matter.

BUT, if you keep putting off updating the versions, you will miss out on fixes, there are always some, and newer capabilities as attacks evolve. If you're satisfied with 5.5.094.000 than wait longer, but at some point, I would recommend installing a 6.x version.

Some background on threats, this thread at Wilders http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=99853&highlight=zone+alarm discusses a threat which so far only the pro versions handle. The threat discussed, malware piggybacking on a legitimate app is a vulnerability for all free firewalls as far as I know.

Regards - Charles

 

Interesting discussion (at Wilder's), Charles. Thanks for the link. I think you know my take on security. Essentially, I'm not checking under every rock so to speak but I'm also taking reasonable precautions... well... reasonable from my perspective. When I had the local techie install my wireless network a few weeks back, he put the latest version of AVG on and the free version of ZA. Before that I had been using Trend Micro but since my subscription was about to expire I asked him what he recommended and he suggested the above. He also set up the router's firewall. So... there you have it. After reading the Wilder's discussion it seems to me that while such an exploit could compromise my network, it's also highly unlikely. Of more concern is the negative press surrounding the latest free version of ZA. That's why I'm sitting on the fence.

 

James--Not sure what negative press you are referring to, but I installed the latest 6.0 version of free ZA some weeks ago, and with one exception, all is fine.
And the one exception could be an erroneous perception on my part. It seemed the latest version installed a whole bunch of programs into the Program Control window and set them at Block. Maybe things had been that way for sometime and I just never checked. Anyway, I just "Removed" many of the programs--especially ones I never remember using, so now if they ever do want to "call out ", ZA will ask and I have the option of allowing or not.


charlesvar--Thanks for the info on the piggyback problem. Not sure what to think about that. Obviously CheckPoint wants to sell the paid version.

 

Hi to you both,

The negative press - mostly the ZL forums - is about a percentage of systems that have problems with the 6.x versions. That % goes up with the use of the pro versions - bugs with the "triple defense" feature. The least problems are with the free version.

My advice to James would be to install a 6.1 or 6.2 version - the history of the previous version is similar, loads of problems with the earliest 5.x versions until the later 5.x versions which are relatively trouble free.

As with any installation of software that has a major impact on the system, I would make sure that the installation can be un-done; this is another trouble spot that users seem to run into. My answer to that is having drive imaging software which I think more people should use.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks, charlesvar.
Just to round out this thread, uninstalling ZA takes a few steps more than just using Control Panel|Add/Remove
http://nh2.nohold.net/noHoldCust25/Prod_1/Articles55646/CompleteUninstallNonNT.html