ZoneAlarm Antivirus Review 2024 Pricing, Plan, Features, Customer Support, Pros & Cons

ZoneAlarm Antivirus is an antivirus program that offers excellent security features. After thoroughly testing its entire cybersecurity toolkit, I found that the malware scanner was more effective at detecting threats compared to Microsoft Defender. The advanced firewall performed well and offered a high level of customization, while the web protections successfully blocked all suspicious websites and links that I encountered. Additionally, ZoneAlarm provides reliable anti-keylogging and ransomware protection.

Furthermore, installing and using this antivirus is incredibly straightforward. Its interface is intuitively designed, allowing easy access to settings and features across various platforms such as PC, Android, and iOS. One standout aspect of ZoneAlarm’s apps is that all the features are conveniently located on the user interface rather than being hidden within complicated menus.

About ZoneAlarm Antivirus

Although ZoneAlarm is a dependable antivirus software that is suitable for beginners, it does have a few disadvantages. In comparison to Norton and Bitdefender, it lacks essential cybersecurity features like a VPN, password manager, and parental controls. Despite this, ZoneAlarm is still a respectable antivirus program that offers highly affordable pricing options. It provides users with a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing them to try it out without any risks involved.

Zone Alarm is a company that specializes in internet security software and produces antivirus and other software products for consumers. Originally created by Zone labs, the software was later purchased by Check Point, a multinational company based in Israel, in 2004. Check Point is a global company that offers a wide range of IT security solutions, including both hardware and software. Their product portfolio includes network security, endpoint security, mobile security, data security, and security management.

ZoneAlarm Antivirus Features

ZoneAlarm Antivirus Pros & Cons

Pros

• Antivirus based on Check Point’s enterprise security
• Unique, effective phishing protection
• Free

Cons

• Application control temporarily absent
• Poor malware protection test scores
• No antivirus lab test results
• No protection against dangerous websites

ZoneAlarm Full Review

ZoneAlarm is a trustworthy antivirus software that provides protection against various types of malware. It includes a user-friendly malware scanner, an effective firewall, real-time protection, anti-phishing capabilities, and anti-ransomware features. ZoneAlarm has three different plans: a free plan and two premium plans. The premium plans are Pro Antivirus + Firewall, which is the more basic option, and Extreme Security NextGen, which is the most comprehensive package offered by ZoneAlarm. Extreme Security NextGen offers a wider range of features compared to Pro Antivirus + Firewall. Despite being more expensive, it provides better value for money. Both plans allow you to protect up to 50 devices, although the cost increases significantly if you choose to do so.

Awards and Accomplishments

ZoneAlarm’s Firewall is widely recognized as a standard for firewall capabilities in the antivirus industry. It has consistently been ranked at the top of the Firewall rankings for the past ten years. In 2016, PC Mag awarded the PRO version of the antivirus with the prestigious Editor’s Choice Award. Additionally, it received an exceptional overall rating for its outstanding performance. The antivirus received praise for its advanced Firewall capabilities and extensive range of bonus features.

Security Features

Zone Alarm antivirus stands out from other antiviruses due to its distinctive security features. The premium pack, Extreme Security, is particularly effective in delivering the peace of mind that users desire from a high-quality antivirus. When a new antivirus system is installed, it becomes susceptible to cybersecurity threats that have not yet been officially recorded by the recently established system. These threats are called “Zero-day attacks”. Extreme Security includes an impressive cloud signature database that utilizes real-time monitoring to identify any unusual security issues. This feature allows users to be safeguarded against all types of zero-day attacks.

Extreme Security utilizes the technique of ‘Sandboxing’ to conduct a secure scan of email attachments in order to detect any harmful code. When a user approves an email attachment, the antivirus collects it and sends it to a virtual machine where it is safely isolated. These attachments are then subjected to thorough scanning using the technology’s strict virus definitions.

Any malicious components found in the email are scanned, separated, identified, and removed. The information regarding these viruses is subsequently transmitted to the Zone Alarm network for the protection of other users. The antivirus program of this technology operates at the most fundamental level of the operating system. Through its regularly updated signature lists and customizable scan modes, the software’s kernel-level scanning ensures comprehensive protection.

The most highly praised security feature of the antivirus is its advanced firewall. Extreme Security incorporates OSFirewall, a proprietary technology that effectively blocks even the most innovative hacks that traditional firewalls cannot prevent. It can detect and prevent attacks such as COM, SCM, and other raw data access exploits.

The two-way firewall not only prevents external intrusions but also limits malware from launching outbound attacks on public networks. Additionally, the software’s Built-in Kill Controls eliminate any programs attempting to leak information from the network. To further enhance its already robust antivirus protection, Extreme Security offers an Automatic Wireless Network Security tool. This tool scans wireless networks in a thorough manner to determine and apply the most appropriate firewall policy for each specific network.

Additional Features

The software is well-known for its extensive range of extra security features that are only offered by a few other top-tier security applications. Zone Alarm enhances the security of the Chrome web browser with its anti-phishing Chrome extension. This extension utilizes the Enhanced Browser Protection feature of the software to scan URLs and block access to websites that pose security threats. Instead of relying on resource-heavy desktop anti-phishing applications, this feature provides a lightweight and convenient alternative for users.

Keylogger programs are specifically designed to record keystrokes in order to obtain sensitive passwords and usernames. Extreme Security includes a feature that detects and prevents keylogging programs from operating on the user’s device. This feature can effectively safeguard against various hacking threats that could compromise the security of your system..

Zone Alarm offers a generous 5GB online backup through its partner IDrive. In addition, the software includes a useful feature powered by Identity Guard which monitors identity and credit theft for free for an entire year. Furthermore, the Identity Lock utility securely manages user-specified personal information.

As previously mentioned, Zone Alarm has an extensive list of additional features. The software also includes premium features such as ‘Find My Laptop’ which allows users to track stolen laptops or machines. Additionally, DefenseNet is another notable feature that provides real-time monitoring of security threats using an updated database of security definitions.

ZoneAlarm Pricing & Plans

ZoneAlarm offers a respectable antivirus plan for free, which includes a malware scanner and several useful tools such as Wi-Fi protection and traffic monitoring. I find it impressive that the free plan encompasses all these features. However, it lacks essential tools like effective web protection and real-time cloud security. Additionally, it is exclusively available on Windows PCs. Although there is no free version for mobile devices, you can still try out ZoneAlarm on them with the 30-day free trial.

Furthermore, ZoneAlarm provides two paid antivirus plans: Pro Antivirus + Firewall and Extreme Security NextGen. Both plans require yearly subscriptions of either one or two years, with the price varying based on the number of devices covered. While the cost of protecting a single device is considered high, safeguarding multiple devices is comparatively more affordable than many leading competitors.

ZoneAlarm Pro Antivirus + Firewall is an acceptable option. It has a starting price of INR1,250 per year and includes real-time protection, anti-phishing protection, and Safe Browsing features, in addition to the features available in the free plan. I am not satisfied with the fact that this paid plan does not include a ransomware protection feature, and I am also disappointed that it only supports Windows PCs. In my view, it does not offer sufficient value for the price, although the antivirus engine itself is quite effective.

The Extreme Security NextGen package from ZoneAlarm is their most comprehensive plan, priced at INR1,750 per year. In addition to the features offered in the previous plans, this package provides anti-keylogging capabilities, anti-ransomware protection, and content filtering tools. However, it does not offer additional features such as a VPN, a password manager, or system optimization. Nonetheless, I appreciate that Extreme Security NextGen supports multiple device types including Windows PC, Android, and iOS. It is an excellent option for securing multiple devices, although Mac users will need to consider alternative solutions.

When it comes to affordability, ZoneAlarm’s plans are comparatively lower than those offered by competitors like Norton, Bitdefender, and McAfee. However, they may not provide the same level of comprehensive protection. Additionally, ZoneAlarm provides a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee for their plans, allowing users to try them without any risk.

Overview of all of ZoneAlarm’s plans:

Number of Licenses and Packages

Zone Alarm antivirus offers three different packages, with the price varying based on the number of devices included in each package. The free version of Zone Alarm antivirus is comprehensive and more advanced compared to other free options available in the industry. It provides both antivirus protection and a capable firewall. The Pro Antivirus and Firewall package provides advanced antivirus protection and ensures strong defense against firewall threats.

For users seeking maximum security, the Extreme Security package is recommended. It includes all premium features of the antivirus, such as zero-day attack protection, advanced anti-phishing capabilities, online backup, and ID protection. This makes it a valuable product worth investing in.

ZoneAlarm Ease of Use & Setup

Setting up and using ZoneAlarm was a breeze. The process of downloading and installing the Extreme Security NextGen Windows application was incredibly smooth. After installation, I was able to use it right away. I appreciate how ZoneAlarm organizes all its features into four main categories in a tidy manner.

• Antivirus. Contains features like real-time protection and file reputation.
• Two-way firewall. With Stealth mode, which makes you invisible to hackers.
• Web Secure. Includes features like anti-phishing, threat emulation, and safe browsing.
• Hacking Protection. With anti-ransomware and anti-keylogger capabilities.

One aspect I appreciate about ZoneAlarm is that it doesn’t hide categories in sub-menus, allowing easy access to all features directly from the front of the user interface. Upon installing ZoneAlarm, all protection measures are enabled by default, but it’s simple to disable them if desired. The user interface also includes convenient features such as a readily accessible “Back” button and an easily located “Settings” page.

Additionally, ZoneAlarm offers a useful Gaming Mode that temporarily disables antivirus activities such as security alerts, virus definition updates, and automatic scans while gaming. While this feature is a nice addition, it falls short compared to our top-rated antiviruses for gaming which not only suspend notifications but also provide game boosters that can enhance PC performance. ZoneAlarm’s mobile apps are also designed with intuitive interfaces that are effortless to navigate. The Android app includes features like Safe Browsing and a network vulnerability checker in addition to the malware scanner.

The iOS app, on the other hand, provides functionalities that prioritize web security, such as advanced Safari protection and content filtering. Moreover, both applications utilize VPN protocols to prevent access to harmful websites. Although they do not conceal your location like a traditional VPN, ZoneAlarm employs these VPN protocols to oversee your browser activity effectively, and they are highly efficient.

ZoneAlarm Customer Support

ZoneAlarm provides support through three channels, namely live chat, a forum, and email support. Live chat is available 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday and from 8 am to 5 pm PST on weekends. Both live chat and email support are included in all of ZoneAlarm’s plans and can be accessed in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. I conducted an assessment of the response times for both live chat and email support.

The customer service representative on the live chat responded within seconds, which was remarkable. On the other hand, the email support agent took approximately 30 minutes to get back to me, which is quite impressive as well. Not only were they prompt in their responses but they also provided comprehensive and clear answers to all of my inquiries.

The support team exceeded expectations by providing additional assistance and ensuring that all of my questions were successfully addressed. Additionally, I received email records of my live conversations with ZoneAlarm, which proved to be helpful for future reference. ZoneAlarm also offers a community forum where users can share their opinions, ask questions, and help others with their inquiries. However, it should be noted that the forums are not very active, and I found it more effective to communicate directly with ZoneAlarm’s customer support.

In addition to the available support channels, ZoneAlarm provides online resources that I found to be informative. They have a comprehensive knowledge base containing a wide range of articles that are categorized into different sections such as installation guides, troubleshooting guides, purchase and subscription information, and more. This made it convenient for me to browse through the categories based on the product, allowing me to narrow down my search and easily find what I needed. After using ZoneAlarm, I decided to test their refund policy by sending an email requesting a refund. To my satisfaction, ZoneAlarm promptly approved my request within one hour, and I received a full refund within a few business days without any additional inquiries.

The Bottom Line

In general, ZoneAlarm is a decent antivirus solution, although it may not be the top choice. Its malware detection and firewall features are commendable, but there are certain limitations to consider. For instance, most ZoneAlarm products are exclusively designed for Windows PCs. The only exception is its premium package, Extreme Security NextGen, which supports multiple operating systems. Additionally, it lacks a VPN feature that is commonly found in other premium antivirus software. Nevertheless, it can be relied upon, user-friendly, and offers reasonably priced plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee for added security.

faq

Is ZoneAlarm a good antivirus?

It has a powerful next-gen antivirus engine that uses machine learning technology to protect your device from viruses and zero-day threats. In addition, ZoneAlarm did well in all the tests I carried out on it, and it has excellent security features such as anti-ransomware and anti-phishing.

Is ZoneAlarm better than Windows firewall?

While Windows Firewall is generally sufficient for basic needs, ZoneAlarm aims to provide a more comprehensive and customizable experience for those looking for enhanced security features.

Is ZoneAlarm free firewall good?

ZoneAlarm Free Firewall has earned recognition as the best firewall software from experts and millions of users worldwide due to its advanced security features, user-friendly interface, and reliable protection against online threats.

Is ZoneAlarm free firewall good?

ZoneAlarm Free Firewall has earned recognition as the best firewall software from experts and millions of users worldwide due to its advanced security features, user-friendly interface, and reliable protection against online threats.