I Can No Longer Recommend ZoneAlarm!

[Digerati]

I have been a loyal ZoneAlarm user since it first came out many years ago. I have ZoneAlarm Pro on several systems, not because it is better than the free version, but to show my support of a fine product. But ever since CheckPoint took over ownership, there have been changes in marketing tactics that I can no longer tolerate.

ZoneAlarm Free is no longer available as a separate download. If you attempt to download the Free version, you WILL get the 15-day trial 38.8MB! Security Suite - whether you want it or not. I feel sorry for dial-up users! Included in that bloated suite is several side products that get installed on your system, whether you like it or not. One of those products is Mail Frontier - a 3rd party spam blocker - whether you want it or not.

If you let the 15day trial period expire, SUPPOSEDLY, all the bloat and extra stuff you did not ask for is removed from your computer - but it is not, and it seems some folks are having difficulty removing that extra stuff manually.

Initially, you could download the ZA Pro trial package (14Mb) without all the added bloat, let it expire, and it would revert to the free version. Checkpoint has "fixed" that loophole and now ZAP simply expires, leaving the user fully exposed. :curse:

To make matters worse, lately, those of us with ZoneAlarm Pro, and those with the Suite, have been getting false positives during the anti-spyware scans on a legitimate file; capicom.dll. We were encouraged when CheckPoint immediately released a new dat file that corrected the error, but today, with yet another new dat file (x.1425), the FP returns. :(

I am now looking hard at Comodo FW, which seems to be getting good reviews. And I am looking again at Windows Firewall. Even though Windows Firewall does not monitor outgoing traffic, there are many renown experts who insist if you practice safe computing, - that is, you keep your systems patched, updated, scanned and blocked, you never open downloads or attachments without first scanning for malware, and you stay away from sites that attract the bad guys (porn, P2P, gambling, etc) then the Windows Firewall is perfectly adequate. In my own tests with Internet Connection Firewall (ICF - renamed to Windows Firewall in SP2), I came to the same conclusion, but did not recommend its use because, sadly, most folks do not take a disciplined approached to safe computing as those of us in the industry might.

[Murray S.]

Howdy:

Is THIS (http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/1025_update/zlsSetup_70_337_000_en.exe) the link you used to get the free version?

Murray

[Digerati]

Since your link goes straight to the download file and not the page where the link is, then I don't know. But It does not really matter since any link chosen for the free version will, as I noted above, download and install the entire full suite, including the extra stuff - such as Mail Frontier.

[Murray S.]

HERE'S (http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp) the page. Take a look at the bottom link.

The "Trial" page makes you go through their checkout in order to download. The "Basic Zone Alarm" download gives you the download. I would think that is a tad different wouldn't you?

Murray

[smurfy]

Murray - the "I only want basic ZoneAlarm protection" button gives you a 38MB download as Digerati states.
I haven't installed, but reports on Zonealarm.com forums verify the above comments.

[Murray S.]

I saw that smurfy and so, I downloaded and installed it. Lo and behold, you get an option as to install the 15 day pro version trial or simply continue with the basic install. More or less the same options one got before. :happy:

After the install, the ZA screen gives you a box that will let you try the Trial Version but that again is similiar to the old free version.

Then, I uninstalled it and guess what.. Everything that installed with ZA uninstalled with it as well. Nothing left behind, no rogue programs, nothing.

Worked like a charm.. integrated seamlessly and uninstalled just as easy as previous versions. Can't ask for more than that. :D

Murray

[smurfy]

Correct...
See screenshots.
But th gist of Digeratis complaint as I see it was that you ask to download the "free" version and are forced to download the 15-day trial anyway, even if you pick the option to only install the free version.

However MailFrontier IS installed, even in the free version.
No on-screen notification to that effect (the only mention is unpacking the installer as shown in screenshot 1), no opportunity to accept the licence that is filed away in the install directory.

Per the C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\MailFrontier\INSTMLF.LOG
*** Installation Started 04/21/2007 13:44 ***
Title: MailFrontier Desktop Installation
My impression is that it is used by ZA as a plug-in, it's not really used as a standalone program.

I haven't verified the effects of the 15 day Pro trial installation and uninstall.

[Murray S.]

Ya, I see what you mean and what you are referring to. They do make you gget the entire download but you still have an option as to what you want to install. :hmm:

Doesn't really matter one way or the other to me.. All I use is the Windows Firewall. :happy:

Murray

[coreyk67]

Windows firewall does just as good a job than any. I personally have had nothing but problems with ZoneAlarm

[theVman]

Are you guys talking about the window fire wall that comes with the windows xp ect... ??? I so you think thats just fine as far as f/w 's go ?

[miketheshado]

Hmmm.......I have tried zone alarm in the past and I can say that zone alarm sucks and comodo rocks!! I am currently using commodo firewall and it looks better and works better than zone alarm. :D

[Digerati]

...but you still have an option as to what you want to install. How do you figure? Are you saying the following is NOT true?However MailFrontier IS installed, even in the free version.
No on-screen notification to that effect (the only mention is unpacking the installer as shown in screenshot 1), no opportunity to accept the licence that is filed away in the install directory.
It was sure installed on two test machines here without ever offering me the option to not load Mail Frontier. And there are sure many others making the same complaint. I'm no spring chicken when it comes to IT and neither are my colleagues who use or have also evaluated the new ZA and witnessed the same results: Mail Frontier is installed.

Yes, is it good it was completely uninstalled, but I totally disagree with your comment about not asking for more than that - consumers rely on these security companies and their applications to protect them from drive-by dumpings of unwanted products on their systems, and NOT to commit the same offenses! :curse: I think it is ESPECIALLY sad when a leading, trusted company, takes advantage of that trust, trust they, until this point, earned. Even Symantec never behaved with such Prima Donna arrogance!

As for Windows Firewall (as comes with XPSP2 and Vista) as I said earlier, sure, it works fine, if you have the discipline to consistently practice safe computing. So that's fine for those of us who are considered experts in this field. But it is not adequate for those without that experience or discipline to keep their systems patched, updated, scanned and blocked at all times - or for those that fail to avoid sites where bad guys are known to wallow.

@Miketheshado - I have no complaints with the ZoneAlarm Firewall - I have liked it since day one - my complaint is with the new unsavory marketing ploys and tactics Check Point has unleashed on unsuspecting consumers with this latest version of ZA7.

[degsy]

I can't remember the exact install process, but after you have installed ZA Suite a wizard comes up asking if you want to enable Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware, it also asks if you want to protect email. This is when it enables/disables MailFrontier.
So basically, all files/utilities are installed and just have to be enabled.

The Firewall, AV, spyware, email, PM, privacy are all optional from the program settings.


I haven't tried the free version recently, does it have a similar wizard?

[Digerati]

:cry: :( Please, folks - understand this discussion is about the new ZoneAlarm 7. Version 7 is quite different from ALL previous versions of ZoneAlarm, therefore experiences encountered in past versions do not apply! Please reserve comments to this version.I can't remember the exact install process, but after you have installed ZA Suite a wizard comes up asking if you want to enable Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware, it also asks if you want to protect email. This is when it enables/disables MailFrontier. No, sorry, that is incorrect.

You are confusing two separate and distinct features (one old and one new) of ZA. What you are referring to is "MailSafe" - a long time feature in ZA that scans email for worm and virus activity. That is NOT what this thread is about. This is about MailFrontier (http://mailfrontier.com) (watch the redirect), a 3rd party spam blocker from SonicWall that is being foisted (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/foisted) upon us by Check Point in the new ZA7.

Apples and oranges.

[degsy]

I can only see your point about the packaged install being a problem to dial-up users.
Many companies write software that enables/disables functions depending on the licence/registration.
It's just house keeping on the developers site.


It was sure installed on two test machines here without ever offering me the option to not load Mail Frontier. And there are sure many others making the same complaint. I'm no spring chicken when it comes to IT and neither are my colleagues who use or have also evaluated the new ZA and witnessed the same results: Mail Frontier is installed.

I've just installed the free version and the only reference I see in the mail frontier folder is to mantispm.exe, which is the email filter and AFAIK has been there for several versions, whether or not in association with mail frontier.


Autoruns or process explorer show no evidence of an independent mail frontier process being loaded or run.



There is nothing strange or underhanded of a company purchasing another and integrating their software.
It's how Zone Alarm Pro/Suite started, with the integration of the Computer Associates virus scanner.

[Digerati]

I am sorry but I am not sure you are really familiar with these products, or the issue here. ZAP does not and never did contain AV software. Yes, the suite did, but then this discussion is about the free version where even if the user selects with basic features, they get a spam blocker installed on their systems too.

As indicated above, Mail Frontier is installed in a folder under the main Zone Alarm folder - consuming 13.8Mb of space.

"Many companies write software that enables/disables functions depending on the licence/registration." No problem with that - but the download page leads you to believe you are getting the free version with basic functions. But as... "However MailFrontier IS installed, even in the free version.
No on-screen notification to that effect (the only mention is unpacking the installer as shown in screenshot 1), no opportunity to accept the licence that is filed away in the install directory."
I see in the mail frontier folder is to mantispm.exe, which is the email filter and AFAIK has been there for several versionsCome on! No it hasn't. Mail Frontier is only new with 7. Again, MailSafe - not Mail Frontier - but MailSafe has been included in previous versions. There has NEVER been a spam blocker included in ANY previous version of ZA Free or ZAP.

Autoruns or process explorer show no evidence of an independent mail frontier process being loaded or run. I never said it was loaded or run! I said downloaded and installed. Not the same thing.There is nothing strange or underhanded of a company purchasing another and integrating their software. I never said that either! Please don't put word into my mouth or attempt to twist my words around.

I can only see your point about the packaged install being a problem to dial-up users.If you don't see a problem with companies foisting unsolicited 3rd party applications on your system without your consent, then I can't help you. Apparently we have a totally different concept of how a software company, in particular a security software company, should behave.

[degsy]

MailSafe is SonicWall Mail Frontier.
ZA7 free has an E-Mail Protection option, which is MailSafe. This is mantispm.exe.

It has been part of the suite since 5.5

I agree that it should have been disabled by default if you didn't want a spam filter. It should also be listed on the comparison table that ZA Free has an E-Mail Protection option.

[Digerati]

OMG!!! :disgust:

MailSafe is SonicWall Mail Frontier.No it isn't! Two different things!!!!! MailSafe was NEVER - as in never ever - affiliated in anyway with SonicWall or Mail Frontier. They are two different things! Once again Mail Frontier is a spam blocker!!!!! MailSafe scans attachments for malware.

Come on Dude! You really should read up on this stuff before responding because, I am sorry to say and with all due respect, you clearly do not know what you are talking about. Start with ZA's help file, then check out the user manual.

Then do something simple like enter Mail Frontier and Mailsafe in Google.

Then check the ZoneAlarm website. Note here (http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/company/aboutUs/pressroom/pressReleases/2000/mailsafe.jsp) where it reported back in May of 2000, The latest version of the product, ZoneAlarm 2.1, now includes ZoneAlarm MailSafe -Email Attachment Protection.
ZA7 free has an E-Mail Protection option, which is MailSafe. Yes. MailSafe - NOT Mail Frontier! And not since 5.5 but all the way back to 2.1 seven years ago!

Note in CNET REVIEW (http://reviews.cnet.com/ZoneAlarm_Internet_Security_Suite_7/4505-3667_7-32309439.html#more) where it states: Check Point ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7 continues to innovate, this time dropping its longtime relationship with CA Antivirus and partnering instead with Kaspersky, makers of the award-winning Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6. Kaspersky, along with the award-winning MailFrontier Anti-Spam applicationNote in this Nov 2004 MailFrontier Press Release (http://www.mailfrontier.com/press/press_zone.jsp)MailFrontier™, a ... provider of anti-spam and anti-phishing solutions, today announced an OEM agreement with Zone Labs. ZoneAlarm® Security Suite 5.5, the latest release of ZoneLabs’ Internet security solution, has added the award-winning anti-phishing and anti-spam technologyThat's technology - not the whole Mail Frontier program as they did now. And that was in 2004, not in 2000 when MailSafe was first included in ZA.

Other references:

CastleCops ZoneAlarm Host and ZA Guru (http://www.castlecops.com/p927437-ZA_HOOV_7_338_cant_find_one_without_the_junk_in_it .html#927437)

Zone Alarm Guru Oldsod (http://forums.zonealarm.com/zonelabs/board/message?board.id=Privacy&message.id=7662)

Now I have no desire to argue with you or anyone else on this. I have stated the facts, I and others here and elsewhere have presented proof of those facts.

[mastermindpl]

Hi all,
I've been using ZA for about 3-4 years - up until 6-7 months ago. Ive installed ZA Security Suite 65.722.000. The only issue I found with it is that it was a big resource hole. It ran its own processes that you couldn't stop (them being part of the firewall). It got to the point where I've just uninstalled ZA, however its remains were still running on my system, it was some time ago and i dont remember exactly what was running. Took some time to actually get rid of it. Since that day, ive been using Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro ver 4.0.964.6926 . No problems at all. I have it set to block most, and so far no issues what so ever. Has similar functions, i would say for less advanced users it can be a pain in the neck some times, but for the most part it works great. Would recommend that instead of ZA, which is now IMO a big resource hog.

[Digerati]

I forgot about Outpost. We evaluated V2.6 a couple years ago and it performed okay, but it's UI was a bit clunky, not very refined. But 4.0 seems more polished and is getting some good reviews for its performance. I can't find where it has a HIPS feature and I thought this version was suppose to. :confused: I will have to check that out. Kerio does and Comodo too - Although personally, am not a fan of bundling security apps under one UI so no big deal if HIPS is not included.

Back to ZoneAlarm 7 - to add insult to injury, it seems several users who downloaded the "Free" version ended up with MailFrontier's COM Add-in toolbar called MailBuddy added to their version of Outlook and Outlook Express without their permission and the MailFrontier anti-spam was somehow enabled, sometimes resulting in Outlook and Outlook Express crashing. Check Point has developed a Registry hack to address the problem as posted by the ZoneAlarm Forum Administrator here (http://forums.zonealarm.com/zonelabs/board/message?board.id=gen&message.id=41947).