Check Point ZoneAlarm PRO Firewall 2016

ZoneAlarm is probably the best-known name in the personal firewall market, and Check Point's free product is a popular choice. However, it's only free for personal use. If you want the same protection in a business setting, you'll need to purchase Check Point ZoneAlarm PRO Firewall 2016 ($59.95 per year for three licenses). Firewall enthusiasts (hey, they exist!) will drool over the advanced features present only in the paid edition.

Even though virtually all of the basic functionality is the same in the free and premium editions, they're rather different in appearance. The free edition's main window is dominated by three panels labeled Antivirus, Firewall, and Identity & Data. Antivirus isn't actually present; clicking the button to install it transforms the product into Check Point ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall 2016 See it at ZoneAlarm.

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ZoneAlarm's premium edition also features a main window with three panels, but they're labeled Antivirus & Firewall, Web & Privacy, and Mobility & Data. Each panel lists corresponding components. For example, Web & Privacy lists Parental Control, Anti-Keylogger, and Anti-Spam. You'll find, though, that most of these components aren't available. Clicking a link titled "Not included; learn more" offers a discount on up

Main Window

Check Point ZoneAlarm PRO Firewall has the same basic feature set as the free edition, just more advanced versions. However, its main window looks quite different. In fact, it looks just like the ZoneAlarm security suite, with suite features disabled.

Components Not Included

All of the features on the Web & Privacy page are suite-only, not present in this product. However, clicking the link to learn more gets an offer to upgrade to the suite at a discount.

Firewall Page

The Antivirus & Firewall page provides access to the two main firewall components, Advanced Firewall and Application Control.

Firewall Settings

In the free edition you can assign each of your networks to the Trusted or Public zone. The pro edition allows you to actually redefine the meaning of the two zones, provided that you have the expertise to understand it.

Expert Rules

If you're really, truly a firewall expert, you can add any number of expert rules to control the firewall's behavior. Most of us should admire this feature from a safe distance.

Advanced Application Control

Application Control configuration in the free edition consists of a single measly checkbox. The pro edition adds six more, each enhancing application control in its own way.

Component Control

If you enable Component Control, ZoneAlarm will monitor network use by components and libraries, to head off misuse by malware. However, if you set the program to maximum sensitivity, component control will generate a ton of popups.

Application Interaction

When Application Interaction Control is enabled, ZoneAlarm warns when one program uses another to access the Internet. If you see a warning like this during a legitimate installation, you can just click Allow.

Trackers Blocked

If you permit it, the ZoneAlarm installer enhances your browser with Abine's Blur tool. Among other things, Blur prevents ad aggregators, Web analytics, and others from tracking your Internet activity.

Masked Email

When you're about to enter an email address in a Web form, Blur offers to create a masked email address instead. You still receive mail from the merchant in your Inbox, but if you start to get spam, you can simply disable or delete the masked email involved.

About Our Expert

Neil J. Rubenking

Principal Writer, Security

My Experience

When the IBM PC was new, I served as the president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years. That’s how I met PCMag’s editorial team, who brought me on board in 1986. In the years since that fateful meeting, I’ve become PCMag’s expert on security, privacy, and identity protection, putting antivirus tools, security suites, and all kinds of security software through their paces.

Before my current security gig, I supplied PCMag readers with tips and solutions on using popular applications, operating systems, and programming languages in my "User to User" and "Ask Neil" columns, which began in 1990 and ran for almost 20 years. Along the way, I wrote more than 40 utility articles, as well as Delphi Programming for Dummies and six other books covering DOS, Windows, and programming. I also reviewed thousands of products of all kinds, ranging from early Sierra Online adventure games to AOL’s precursor Q-Link.

In the early 2000s, I turned my focus to security and the growing antivirus industry. After years of working with antivirus, I’m known throughout the security industry as an expert on evaluating antivirus tools. I serve as an advisory board member for the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO), an international nonprofit group dedicated to coordinating and improving testing of anti-malware solutions.

The Technology I Use

Much of the testing I do, particularly testing with real-world ransomware, is just plain dangerous. To perform such tests safely, I sequester them inside virtual machines managed by VMWare Workstation. For cross-platform testing, I use a MacBook Air, a Google Pixel 4, and a 6th-generation iPad.

I rely on my Delphi coding skills to create and maintain small applications. These include programs to check whether an antivirus correctly handled the malware it detected, launch dangerous URLs and record the security program’s reaction, and analyze the malware that I collect for use in testing. I also wrote a tiny browser and text editor for use in testing security apps that have predefined reactions for known products.

I do my writing and research on a Dell OptiPlex desktop, relying on Microsoft Word (my fingers know all the shortcuts). Many of my articles include charts and analysis; Excel is my go-to for those. When work hours end, though, I escape the bounds of Microsoft and Windows. There’s an iPhone in my pocket, I relax with my oversized iPad, and my Kindle Oasis is always loaded with the best science fiction and fantasy.

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