Zone Alarm Internet Security 6.0

Zone Alarm started life as a fairly conventional firewall program, designed to protect PCs from the threat of hackers over the Internet.

During the past few years, however, the spread of viruses has become an even bigger threat.

As a result, Zone Alarm has evolved into what is now the Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite 6.0 ­ a comprehensive package combining a firewall with anti-virus, anti-spyware capabilities and other security features.

The firewall is still the core of the suite. Now, as well as monitoring attempts to gain access to your computer through an Internet connection, the firewall will monitor each program installed on your PC to make sure running applications can’t be modified or interfered with ­ such as downloading some spyware onto your PC through a file-sharing program. It can also monitor your Windows Registry to prevent unwanted items being added.

The firewall works automatically most of the time, so you don’t need to be a technical expert to install and use it properly.

Installation is straightforward, marred only by an annoying registration process and customer survey request when you launch the program.

Once that’s done, the Configuration Wizard guides you through the suite’s main features, explaining options such as virus and spyware protection, the junk mail filter and pop-up blocker. You are then asked to specify a security level for your PC.

If you’re on a home or office network you can tell Zone Alarm that you’re in a Trusted Zone, in which case it will allow you to share files and printers with other users. If you’re in a less secure environment, you can limit network traffic to just the Internet Zone. This will allow you to connect to the Internet, but prevents other computer users from gaining access to your PC.