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Entered CNET Catalog: 06/03/2006
SKU: CNETZONEALARMANTIVIRUS65
Manufacturer: Zone Labs, Inc.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 06/05/2006
But all is not yet perfect within ZoneAlarm Antivirus 6.5. Pop-ups remain an issue, flashing whenever you restart your computer as various processes and services request control. You can ask ZoneAlarm Antivirus to remember your decision to allow or deny access, but many readers have complained in the past that ZoneAlarm remains "noisy." ZoneAlarm Antivirus does provide a tutorial; while helpful, it is still more of a marketing tool than one that provides information. However, the built-in help file is excellent, thorough, and very specific, effectively balancing detail and clarity. And the ZoneAlarm online forums are active, with users worldwide eager and willing to answer your questions--something that Norton and McAfee don't offer.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5
User Rating: 
2/10
The version of this product from the CD are flawed (is it worth to pay for it?)
Pros: Ease of use, friendly interface, affordable
Cons: easily to overtake a PC using this product without latest updates
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=466
I brought this product for S$40 and install it, but within an hour, the PC was been hack and unable to execute to perform admin work, (like opening the Add/Remove Program, or any from the application in the control panel). I Believe the PC was been "Overtake".
The product have been released a patch to fixes this problem, but when the user installs and perform the update, they will unable to do so because the program found no updates. after that, the PC seen to be "overtake" and unable to perform admin task.
User Rating: 
9/10
So much better than Norton and McAfee for me
Pros: Low overhead, which helps my notebook run faster (as compared to Norton System Works). The GUI is simple and easy to navigate (Googlish in simplicity). Gets rave reviews from CNet and other techies.
Cons: On a couple of occasions it has brought up a warning box regarding a video driver trying to load. Simply choose for it to Always Allow, and it doesn't bother you again with that item.
I uninstalled Norton System Works, downloaded Zone Alarm, and was immediately impressed with the pros I listed above. Working on a three-year old HP notebook with a relatively small amount of RAM and a Celeron processor, my programs need to run lean and mean. In other words, no clunky overhead where the software is sapping my resources even while running in the background.
It seems as if my notebook now runs at least 50 percent faster, all due to this change in anti-virus software. Thus, I'd recommend this product even more to those who are still running older computers or PCs and notebooks that don't have a lot of RAM (by today's standards) and a slower processor (like my old, sluggish Celeron).
In addition, also noted above in the "pros", the interface of the program is quite attractive and ultra-easy to navigate. Google seems to have ushered in the trend of going simplistic in designing easy-to-navigate interfaces, while still offering plenty of services and ways to customize your product.
My only negatives: Two minor incidents, in which Zone Alarm was questioning the loading of a couple of my video drivers during boot-up, as if they were potential problems. Just to be safe, I quickly Googled the .exe files in question, just to make sure they weren't listed on any virus danger lists. They were cool, so I just told Zone Alarm to be cool and don't ask me again about this non-issue. Easy as that, and haven't been bothered since.
Bottom line: I've been with Norton for years. I've tried McAffee's offering on a free trial last year (no thanks) and now see Zone Alarm through the same eyes as CNet. McAfee and Symantec/Norton are very large companies here in Silicon Valley. A few miles up the road in Redwood City, little-guy Checkpoint Software is, in my opinion, giving the big boys a run for their money with a truly superior product in Zone Alarm!
User Rating: 9/10
Overall the Best I have ever used.
Pros: It's easy to use and catches everything!
Cons: Might be my laptop, but start-up is a bit slow at times.
User Rating: 2/10
"Invalid update contents bug kills AV protection"
Pros: When it used to work it was great
Cons: Hasn't worked for weeks
User Rating: 
8/10
ZoneAlarm Antivirus User's Review
Pros: Easy configeration. Bonus addition: Anti-Fraud protection
Cons: I don't know enough about the antivirus engine, yet.
I tried to buy the same package for my other tower unit, but ran into a message saying I hadn't filled in all the fields. I double cheched and still I was prevented from completing the purchase. I e-mailed ZA and it sort of transpired, because I already had this account on here, probs arose when I tried to buy a further edition for my other tower unit. I tried phoning ZA instead and my exchange said the number was unobtainable.
Subsequently, I gave up and dowloaded PC-cillin Security Suite on a three months trial basis, instead.
