With the first run, I suggest you to make a deep scan of your system (or when the program prompts you to do so), which will take longer than the subsequent scans. However, this will enable the program to build a secure base for your computer and the program will continue its next scans based on the information of this initial scan.
I can safely say that the ZoneAlarm Internet Security is a feature-rich application. In addition to the core protection with the malware, the suite also has e-mail protection, privacy and identity protection and parental controls.
The e-mail protection scans all of your e-mail when you are retrieving them from the server. The program checks the HTML codes, which may direct your computer to malicious websites in the background and checks the scripts/programs attached, such as .vbs (Visual Basic Scripts), .exe (Executable files) and the like. The list of file extensions checked can be found under the E-mail Protection options.
I would like to say that I especially liked the privacy and identity protection features that come with the program. The privacy feature empties your web browsing history and clears the cache thus erasing all of your Internet activity. The identity protection module on the other hand safely stores your digital identity and secures them against leaking on the Internet. You can compare it to password protection programs, but this module has broader and categorized approach, such as e-mail/passwords, social security numbers, credit card numbers etc..
Parental control module involves categorized access control for your family. For example you can stop your kids from seeing violent websites but can allow them to view file sharing websites. The protection is activated with just putting a tick at the appropriate category.
In addition to the antivirus and antimalware protection, the additional features make the software come closer to an overall protection. In this way, ZoneAlarm Internet Security competes directly with Symantec’s Norton Internet Security, not with 360 because Norton 360 includes “Norton Utilities” in addition to security protection.
In terms of price, ZoneAlarm Internet Security has a USD 49.95 price tag, compared to USD 59.99 of Norton Internet Security. Although the price is USD 10 lower, ZoneAlarm offers additional security features such as 0-hour rootkit protection, full kernel-level virus and spyware protection. These two full features make it stand one step forward of Norton Internet Security 2009. It can be installed in 3 household computers.
Comparing more, ZoneAlarm has another program called Extreme Security, which is placed in direct competition with Norton 360. This is an outstanding product especially with identity protection and has the computer tuning features. I can recommend Zone Alarm Extreme Security for all the users; especially for US customers, who will receive Daily Credit Card Monitoring, Fraud Alerts, Monthly Reports and Victim Recovery Services with the purchase of Extreme Protection suite, priced at USD 69.95 and can be used with 3 household computers. If your budget permits, go with this one. If not, Internet Security is good enough.
Would you like to read more reviews? Look around Bright Hub and you’ll find reviews of numerous other anti-virus solutions including Norton Internet Security, Kaspersky Internet Security, ESET Smart Security, McAfee Total Protection and Blink Professional.