Zone Labs Zonealarm Security Suite 5.5

Although we looked at Zonealarm Security Suite only a few months ago, version 5.5 offers a number of improvements over its predecessor.

At its heart is the latest edition of the Zonealarm Pro firewall, updated with new network detection and program access control routines as well as improved support for the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Security Centre.

Computer Associates' Etrust virus scanning engine provides frequent updates to ensure you should never fall prey to a virus or worm. It's also particular about which email attachments can be opened directly - anything potentially harmful has its file extension changed to stop it running and can only be opened once a number of warnings about its danger have been observed by the user.

The inbuilt category-based web content filtering hasn't changed much since the previous release and, effective as it is, we have a few reservations about its implementation. All users of the computer are subject to the same content restrictions, which, with multi-user computers, could be a problem. A far better solution is to allow different levels of filtering based on individual XP user accounts. Perhaps we'll see this feature in version 6.

Instant messaging security is an area where Zonealarm Security Suite leads the way with message encryption and the ability to block file downloads, video and audio conversations and the running of potentially harmful ActiveX content within all the major IM clients.

Personal information theft should be a thing of the past too, thanks to the myvault feature. Important information such as passwords, Pins and credit card numbers can be prevented from leaving your computer without your express permission. In addition, there's sophisticated cookie control, ad blocking and a cache cleaner that removes temporary files from both cache and hard disk.

Undoubtedly our biggest gripe with version 5 was the lack of spam blocking technology, something offered by rival security suites. We're happy to report that this omission has now been rectified with the integration of Mailfrontier's Desktop mail filtering product.

Using a combination of rule-based filtering and a real time collaborative network of other users, its filtering is first class. Suspected spam is held in a junk folder with a separate subfolder for fraudulent or phishing emails. With the incidence of the latter rising alarmingly, this addition is most welcome, particularly as it's too easy for the unwary to be taken in by bogus requests for financial details.

An impressive array of configuration options allow for fine tuning of the process and we also liked the ability to challenge email that appears to be junk. When activated, any such email will be met with an automated reply informing the sender that their message has been placed on hold pending confirmation from them that it is a genuine email.

For those with serious spam overload, it can also be applied to every email received. This approach won't suit those who subscribe to newsletters but could prove useful to those who use email sparingly. We can see it being effective when used to protect children's accounts.

Existing users with a current licence will already have been prompted to update to this latest version at no extra charge thanks to the inbuilt update notification facility. However, those who have already spent money on a standalone anti-spam solution such as Cloudmark's Safetybar (formerly known as Spamnet) may feel aggrieved that the spam protection wasn't there when the product was originally launched.

By the time you read this, the boxed version of Zonealarm Security Suite should be available in PC World complete with a 200-page printed manual. However, the price has risen by £10 since our last review.

Alternatively the package can be downloaded from Zonelabs and purchased at a substantial saving. This downloadable version also functions as a 15-day trial version.

Prices:
£49.95 (£42.51 ex VAT) boxed
$69.95 ($59.53 ex VAT) download
Both include 1 year of updates

Contact:
Zone Labs 0800 289 041
www.zonelabs.com

System Requirements:

• Windows 98SE or greater
• Pentium II processor or greater
• 128MB of Ram
• 50MB of hard disk space