Zone Alarm Internet Security 6.0

During testing we found that, if anything, Zone Alarm worked a little too well, as we kept seeing warnings flashing on screen whenever ordinary programs, such as games or messaging software, attempted to connect to the Internet. However, you can tell Zone Alarm which programs are trusted and should be allowed to continue.

For more precise control you can enter the Zone Alarm control panel, which provides additional settings, including those for the firewall, virus and spyware protection. Each set of controls is divided into basic and advanced sections.

The basic controls allow you to select predefined protection settings. Alternatively, you can create your own custom settings. Virus and spyware scans can be scheduled, spam filter settings modified and parental controls set. You can also block access to specific network ports on the PC. The basic settings are fine for most users.

The program performed well during our tests, picking up some worrying spyware that had escaped other security software.

There are a few omissions, though. The parental controls are limited and options such as the Smart Filtering aren’t explained particularly well. However, this aspect of the suite is secondary to its main purpose, which is to protect you from hackers, viruses and spyware.

On that score, Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite gets a thumbs up and, at just under £50, it provides a comprehensive set of security features at a competitive price.

Just remember that, like most anti-virus programs, you must renew your Zone Alarm licence after one year (£19.95 per year) in order to continue receiving the latest updates.

System requirements:

• 450MHz processor
• 64MB Ram
• 50MB hard disk
• Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP