Section 27.1. About ZoneAlarm

27.1. About ZoneAlarm

ZoneAlarm is a firewall that blocks all incoming traffic unless the user has specifically allowed it. It does this using "stealthing" technology that hides the protected computer from probing hackers on the Internet. The firewall also monitors all programs trying to make outbound connections from the computer, preventing any program from connecting to the Internet or acting as a server without the user's permission. The user is assisted in this decision-making with the Automatic Program AlertAdvisor.

The product interaction consists of a graphic user interface (GUI), alerts, and a system tray icon. Most interaction is done through the alerts, so users rarely interact with the GUI (shown in Figure 27-1).

The ZoneAlarm product family is designed for consumer use and for single or networked PCs. Stressing "set and forget" security, these products go about their job as silently as possible. There are several versions of ZoneAlarm, from a basic free version to a suite containing email worm prevention, privacy control, antivirus, antispam, antiphishing/fraud, instant messaging encryption and protection, and a few other security and convenience features. All ZoneAlarm products are built around the same core: our award-winning stateful inspection firewall.