We've long been users of Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm products due to their ease of use, effectiveness and excellent value for money. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.0 is no different. Offering complete Internet security for home users and small businesses, the suite protects against both inbound and outbound attacks - unlike the built-in firewall within Windows XP SP2 - and now protects the Windows core registry and system files from kernel-level malicious attacks. It's also more flexible than ever and its combination of advanced firewall techniques, signature-based spyware recognition and anti-virus tools help to make it one of the best Windows-based security products on the market.

Pros: Rock solid firewall; excellent anti-spyware and anti-virus; fast
Cons: Basic wireless network detection and protection; no docs


Every computer connected to the Internet is a target for numerous threats, including hackers, viruses, worms, spyware and Trojan horse attacks. These threats can plague a computer moments after it first accesses the Internet. ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.0 provides you with comprehensive protection against new and emerging spyware, hacker attacks, viruses, identity thieves, and spam.

ZoneAlarm Security Suite 6.0 is one of the easiest to use and most comprehensive security solutions for single desktop users. Based on one of the world's best firewalls to help keep out hackers, viruses, worms, and other threats, it also integrates anti-virus protection, Web site filtering, privacy protection, and instant-messaging security.

The updated version adds a triple defence firewall (network firewall, operating system firewall and program firewall) and has enhanced anti-virus functionality (quarantine and pause) and automatic kill controls (disables malicious programs). Zone Labs has also thrown in a new SmartDefense Service, which keeps your computer updated with the latest intelligence on Internet threats gathered from the company.

Installing and configuring ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.0 is initially overwhelming because you have to make setting decisions for its anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, parental control, privacy protection, and instant messaging security features.

Having said that, it does come with practical out-of-box default security settings, should you want to be up and running in a matter of seconds rather than minutes. Plus, it's flexible and customisable so you can program only the features needed and set the security levels that are appropriate for your online activities at a later date.

The biggest improvement to the suite is the triple defence firewall. This goes beyond traditional desktop-based firewalls to protect your computer from hackers, spyware, and other Internet threats. It effectively blocks hackers from gaining access to your computer, automatically makes your computer invisible to anyone on the Internet, prevents spyware from sending your personal information across the Internet, and protects your programs and operating system from malware.

The firewall has three 'zones', which can be tailored to suit your requirements. For instance, setting the firewall to High puts your computer into 'stealth mode', whereby it is hidden and protected from hackers. It also prohibits the sharing of files.

You can also fine-tune the settings, such as blocking outgoing DNS, DHCP, incoming pings and broadcasts/multicasts. Dropping the zone to Medium means your computer is visible on the Internet, but others cannot share its resource. There's also the option to turn the firewall off completely, should you encounter any compatibility issues with other applications.

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