Zone Alarm has built a reputation as one of the best software firewalls available, partly because since 1999 it has offered a
simple firewall that's free for personal use. The Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite builds on the firewall to add anti-virus and anti¬spyware tools, protection against spam and phishing,online privacy (which claims to make the user'invisible' on the internet), identity protection, instant
messaging security and parental control.

They're all administered from a businesslike main interface, which offers very similar controls for each ofthe suite's ' functions. It uses either buttons - for straight on/off settings - or sliders, for things like protection levels. The controls are consistent and obvious in their use.

Unlike other security suites, where the core application is the virus scanner,Zone Alarm concentrates on the firewall, so much so that the product actually includes two of them.
As well as the network firewall, which automatically configures itself so it offers different protection levels for your local network and for the internet, there's what manufacturer Check Point refers to as an as (operating system) firewall.
The idea of an as firewall is that it monitors the software working on a PC, looking for suspicious actions that might indicate that there's a malicious program trying to
subvert the system.The as firewall can stop an application running and prevent it from restarting if it detects such a problem. When it comes to the anti-virus element,Zone Alarm uses a scanner made by anti-virus lab Kaspersky, generally regarded as one of the most thorough available,and it combines this with hourly updates.


The company argues that this frequency is needed because ofthe rapid movement of modern viruses, which do much of their damage during the time it takes labs to produce the cures and send them to their users. Check Point maintains that it can get initial protection out to customers of Zone Alarm within about 20 minutes.
There was no major outbreak during the time we were testing Zone Alarm 1557.1, so we have to take the company's word on this.
We've read reports online of users having installation problems and conflicts, but we saw none during our tests. Spyware is handled at three levels. In addition to the aforementioned as firewall and the main firewall, known bad sites are also blocked, so you're prevented from visiting them inadvertently.

Zone Alarm may perhaps be accused of taking slightly longerto bed in than some internet security suites and you may see a few pop¬up warnings, but it soon acclimatises to the way you use your PC and provides fast and unobtrusive protection.
Disappointingly it doesn't include extras such as a file shredder for securely erasing documents, but the price is fair, especially as a three-user licence for those with home networks costs only Rs. 500 (approx) more.