ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2009 Review

As we are living in Internet age, there is a download option for the users instead of the retail, boxed-version. The download is a 260 Kilobyte installer, which, after installation connects to the ZoneAlarm servers to download installation files. With 1 Megabit connection, this takes about 15 minutes and I am sure it is a fair duration.

After the download, the installation is guided by the wizard. You can continue with the default settings and you will be fine. I suggest you to give a second thought to the security settings, where you are prompted for “Maximum”, “Auto-learn” and “Minimum” options. Although the default “Auto-learn” is fine, if you want a total control on your computer and will not be distracted by the program’s “Do I allow this?”, “Do I allow that?” questions, you can go with the “Maximum” option. This is not a one-time selection; you can change the settings any time from the program’s control panel.

The next question is about joining the DefenseNet, where you choose whether or not to participate in information share between the ZoneAlarm users anonymously. The default is yes and I chose to go with that.

Then the program asks you about enabling or disabling antivirus component. This is very important, since having two antivirus programs on your system is worse than having one -in this case 1 + 1 < 1- so if you have an antivirus program on your system, disable the antivirus component. Never work with more than one antivirus program.

When the installation is complete, ZoneAlarm Internet Security goes for a scan of all the executable files (exe files) in your system, assess their security risks and apply the necessary protection. Then it asks you to reboot.

Before carrying on, I would like to remind you that the first boot after the installation will take longer than other boots. This is perfectly normal because the software checks your entire computer’s startup process and ensures that there is no malware is present. This is for your safety and you will not experience this with the subsequent boots.

So far there is no technical question to confuse the user, the installation is very simple.