How do you rate ZoneAlarm?

[PoLock]

This old newbie just got his 2 computers networked for a dial-up modem. Getting ready for cable in Q4 of 2001, so they say. The next item of business is some sort of security for these 2 systems using ICS for now. All I ever see reviews about is Zone Alarm. Is it that good or is it the cost and user friendly features that make it so well rated?

Please let me know if this is a worthwhile download. Newbie needin' advice from those who use it, not review it for an hour.

Thank you for any replies of wisdom,

Polock

 

[pm]

Yes, I like it very much. Easy to use, and free are good bonuses, but I tried the full-blown hacker-wacker port and everything else scan (which took more than 4 hours on my very fast cable modem) and it didn't get anything past it. I recommend it highly and I think it's a good D/L even for someone with a regular modem.


FWIW, you might try looking at prices for Sprint broadband and for IDSL which are somewhat reasonably priced (IDSL can be as cheap as ~$40/month (ISP and connection) for 144kb/s symmetric and is available in any place that could get ISDN - which is practically everywhere near a city). Sprint broadband is available in some places where nothing else is available and is in the ~$60/range. There's also weirder options like microwave ($70/month for a ~150 user shared T1). I didn't think any of this would be available in my area (I'm on the edge of the city limits of Fort Collins, CO), but IDSL and microwave were.

Check out http://www.dslreports.com

I say all this because you said that you are waiting for cable - which will be $40/month and these are options that may be available to you that are in that price range. IDSL in particular is a good possibility.

 

[snow patrol]

Yep - I'm using Zone Alarm as well, with my 2 PC's and networked DSL (using Sygate), and I'd definitely recommend it as an effective and user friendly firewall.

 

[PoLock]

Thanks for the thumbs up Gentlemen. I was almost certain ZoneAlarm did it's job, but as a rookie I was concerned it would be over my head. What you say sounds good.
Except that talk of broadband of any type. Here in Northern IL. the large cities get it all from 27 different companies and us rural hillbillies help foot the bill. It's called polotics - must have learned it from Chicago polotitions. I do have DishNetwork and their satellite was supposed to be ready to go at the end of this year, but all reports say the upload is a failure. Just my luck.

Thanks again,
Polock

 

[pm]

So you looked into IDSL and it's a no-go where you are? Did you check Sprint? They are on a different system than everyone else and a lot of people can get it who can't get it anywhere else.

Give me your ZIP code and I'll see if I can turn anything up. I guess my point is that a lot of people think that they can't get broadband, but when you really look around you find there are more ways than you think. Don't just phone the phone company and the cable company and then give up. To be honest, if you really are rural, then you probably can't get anything. Although my parents live on a farm about 6 miles from the nearest city (by road - closer as the crow flies) and my mother got IDSL.

I'm just trying to helpful...

 

[PoLock]

pm

I just wanted to thank you for all your extra help trying to locate a better service in my area and the emails. As you have said, all the broadband suppliers go to the same populated cities. IMHO, why share a service with 10/15 others when you can have it all in the smaller towns. I guess, when it rains , it pours, but not necessarily everywhere. What is still sad is a phone company like GTE doesn't have a phone system in the smaller towns that will even support DSL or any other type of broadband service. We are paying the highest rates and get the least.


I will definately try my hand at Zone Alarm this week end, so cross your fingers. Strange how a rookie always has his head below water. LOL

Once again, Thank you

Polock

snow patrol - thank you also for your recommendations on Zone Alarm