Firewall:  

Zone Alarm includes a gateway firewall which uses advanced Web content filtering which, along with network address translation, allows administrators to control network access, while detailed reports display user activity. Caching provides the ability to store frequently used Web objects to speed up access and conserve valuable bandwidth.

Antivirus:  

The antivirus application is able to easily identify and isolate potential malicious software. The virus scanner will monitor e-mail and Web sites alike to keep your company’s network as secure as possible. E-mail is routed through its own proprietary internet e-mail system. This integrates address books, web based collaboration tools and Webmail.

Antispyware:  

Incorporated into its systems is an efficient antispyware application. This effectively keeps most pop-ups away from your browser and thwarts browser hijack attempts before they happen. It will warn you when you are about to visit a site known for spam attacks. It can also detect trojans and rootkits.

Other Security/Features:  

Zone Alarm provides easy to follow charts and graphs to help administrators know what the current security status of the system is. Information relevant to frequency of attacks, attacks originating from a particular IP address and an analysis of alerts gives the administrators the data necessary to track potential offenders. Save time and money by allocating resources to the most critical systems and be able to make educated decisions about changing security policies.

Ease of Use:  

Zone Alarm has an easy-to-use interface which makes it easy for small business owners who don’t have dedicated IT personnel to manage their network. All the essential functions are easy to access which makes keeping your network even more secure.

Ease of Installation/Setup:  

Installation was a breeze. The install wizard guides you through each step of the setup process. The default settings seemed to be adequate for what a typical user would need for a small business application. Each setting is easily changed later should the user decide they need more or less protection.

Help/Support:  

Help can be found by using the online FAQ or forums. Phone support is offered, but will cost extra should you need it. The support options for Zone Alarm aren’t the best we have seen, but even a moderately tech savvy person should have no trouble fixing problems once they arise.

Zone Alarm does a good job of keeping your small business network safe from possible attacks and malware. While there are better suites out there, the price makes Zone Alarm an attractive option for the start-up business owner.