Customer Rating: 
Summary: A Robust, Complete, and Versitile Security Platform.
Comment: I've been using Zone Alarm products since 2003, and my experience has generally been good.
This software may not be for everyone. While it is very versatile, there is a significant learning curve for many of the functions. However, this doesn't need to be a problem for anyone, since it DOES have auto-settings in the more complicated areas.
One of the things I like best is the availability of customizing the internet access and cross program access of individual programs, as well as being able to customize the security and what is allowed on individual websites. I originally got the Zone Alarm software when my computer at work was hacked... with someone I traced to the Netherlands hijacking it as a download server for pirated movies. The company I worked in at the time hadn't secured their servers.
When it comes to website privacy, there is no better application. This is totally customizable as to what types of cookies you wish to allow, and whether you want to allow the website to use mobile code, ads, popups, Java, scripts, and more. You can filter out web bugs and private headers. You can even set cookie expiration.
Some people complain about getting popups from this platform all the time, but this is quite easily remedied. All you need to do is set your defaults to manage your security for you and turn off the advisories. If you encounter something where you want a different level of security, you can always go in and tweak that individual item.
My only gripe is that the virus monitor and scanning functions are rather CPU intensive. For this reason, you will want to schedule your virus scans for a time when you are not using your computer. You can tweak your settings to reduce CPU usage, but as I tend to be rather paranoid, I direct my computer's resources to lean toward the safety side.
All in all, I would recommend this for anyone. It's worth taking the time to go through the learning curve that goes with it. I've used Microsoft's built in security, Norton, McAfee, and Avenger security in the past, and none of them come even close to the versatility and customization of Zone Alarm. Moreover, the built in virus protection, Kaspersky, is among the highest recommended utilities.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Fat, Slow, and Bothersome
Comment: If you like security software that slows your system to a crawl and constantly nags you with pop-up windows, requiring you to make decisions to either permit or deny access to system and network resources, Zone Alarm is the product for you. For the rest of us, who have been able to retain a bit of sanity, steer away from that security suite. Try Kaspersky Internet Security 2009. It's remarkably fast and reliably handles security tasks without hassling the user.
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