Also, most vendors have opted out of including parental controls (or calling them such). ZoneAlarm includes a Parental Control feature in its left-hand column. While you don't have to have children in the house to want to filter Web sites and e-mail content, it's refreshing to see that ZoneAlarm continues to include it within its suite under a recognizable name.
But, all is not yet perfect within ZoneAlarm. The suite lacks antiphishing protection and safe-surfing tools. For that, Check Point is directing users to its ForceField product. For now, look for special offers that allow you buy ZoneAlarm Internet Security and ForceField as a bundle. In the future, aspects of ForceField may be combined with ZoneAlarm Internet Security, but Check Point was vague on those plans.
Also missing from the ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 are features found in other Internet Security suites that back up and shred data files.
Performance
In CNET Labs' performance tests, ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009, as a suite, was slower in all tests when compared with Norton Internet Security 2009 on our test Windows XP systems. ZoneAlarm uses Kaspersky Anti-Virus and in third-party, independent antivirus testing using live viruses, Kaspersky products have always scored in the upper ranks, although not always in the top position. On the CNET iTunes test, ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 scored 3 seconds slower than the test system at 275 seconds. On the CNET Microsoft Office test, ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 finished at a respectable 1,574 seconds, placing near the middle. In a test scanning a single folder with compressed and media files, ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 came in at 502 seconds, which was twice as long as our test with the standalone version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009. In terms of boot speed, the extra tools within the ZoneAlarm suite added only 3 seconds for a result of 36 seconds.
To find out how we test antivirus (and now Internet Security suite) software, see CNET Labs' How we test: Antivirus software page.
ZoneAlarm uses Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2009. To see how well ZoneAlarm will protect your PC, we cite results from two leading independent antivirus testing organizations. In the latest test results from AV-Comparatives.org, for ondemand scans Kaspersky Anti-Virus 7 earned an Advanced + (highest) rating, catching 98 percent of all malicious software tested, tying with Norton Antivirus 2007. However, for the Retrospective/Proactive test, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 7 earned an Advanced (second-highest) rating, although Kaspersky produced very few false positives compared with other antivirus applications in the same test. From CheckVir.com, there is no data.
ZoneAlarm uses its own antispyware. In antispyware testing on CNET, ZoneAlarm Antispyware 7 scored in the lower half of our top 10, fairing poorly in the on demand detection and removal tests.
Support
Included with the purchase of Check Point ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 is one year of software updates and both e-mail- and keyword-based virtual support, along with access to a well-attended user forum. Support by phone from Check Point is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PST), Monday through Friday (excluding major holidays), but it costs a hefty $2.95 per minute
ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 lacks printed documentation, and this year also lacks an informative flash tutorial seen in past releases. The built-in help file is excellent, thorough, and very specific, effectively balancing detail and clarity. And the ZoneAlarm online knowledgebase is good as well.
Conclusion
ZoneAlarm Internet Security 2009 provides top-notch fundamental security protection that is light on system resources, allowing you to work unencumbered.
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