Similar to ZoneAlarm Firewall, the new Windows Vista Firewall filters both incoming and outgoing network traffic, meaning that it can be used to block external machines that are trying to connect to your Windows PC as well as locally installed software that is trying to communicate with the internet [phones home]Though the underlying firewall code, called the Windows Filtering Platform, has been rewritten for Vista, the Vista Firewall is not much different from Windows Firewall included with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 except the ability to block outgoing traffic which does not exist in Windows XP.
But think twice before putting that copy of ZoneAlarm in the trash bin once Vista arrives. Read the reasons that suggest ZoneLabs' free ZoneAlarm is much easier than the Vista or XP firewall.
Though Windows Vista Firewall can control which individual software programs can connect to the internet, there is no simple way to achieve it. You need to change your Local Security Policy Settings meaning that require a Vista administrator account. Also, the ability for the Windows Vista firewall to stop malicious activity both inbound and outbound will not be enabled by default.
Security experts recommend that if Vista's firewall remains as is, disable the Windows Vista firewall entirely and install a third-party firewall. Or enroll in the Microsoft OneCare service that automatically has two-way firewall protection enabled.
Even Zone Labs is feeling lucky and is looking forward to Vista's arrival because it is likely to further boost sales of the company's firewall products, which is what happened when Microsoft launched SP2 for Windows XP.
Find this article at: http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/04/zonelabs-zonealarm-vs-windows-vista.html
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
zone alarm dont work on vista
Written on 15/11/06 3:37 PM
i like Symantec Firewall the best since it is much easier to use it and disable it whenever not needed..it comes with an inbuilt ad blocker which is quite useful
Written on 5/1/07 11:41 PM
Quote "Vista Firewall is not much different from Windows Firewall included with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 except the ability to block outgoing traffic which does not exist in Windows XP" You didnt do you research very well Windows XP SP2 has the same exact abilities as Vistas firewall its just a little harder to get to for the common user!!
Written on 8/1/07 7:50 AM
ZoneAlarm has currently heavy problems on Vista. So don't install it yet!
Written on 21/1/07 6:20 PM
I installed Zone alarm v70.302 in XP SP2 comaptibility mode on Vista Business (Build 6000), install threw a few validation errors. All hell broke loose when it started blue screening, even in safe mode.
Solution - Use the last known good configuration to go back lets you into windows, restart in safe mode, unistall the Zonelabs!
Dhiraj 03-02-07
Written on 3/2/07 11:24 PM
I installed Zone alarm v70.302 in XP SP2 comaptibility mode on Vista Business (Build 6000), install threw a few validation errors. All hell broke loose when it started blue screening, even in safe mode.
Solution - Use the last known good configuration to go back lets you into windows, restart in safe mode, unistall the Zonelabs!
Written on 3/2/07 11:24 PM
A firelwall is a log level tool and with windows Vista's (especially the 64 bit version) changes to lock out rootkits old firewall interfaces do not work. The windows upgrade kit even warns you ZA is not compatible. Right now a lot of people are flying without a net.
Written on 7/2/07 4:09 AM
Zone Alarm will not install with Vista (build 6000). I find this amazing. One would have thought that MS and ZoneLabs would have got together and made sure that, arguably, one of the most popular firewalls in use is compatible at time of Vista release.
Maybe MS want users to use the Vista firewall only.
ZoneLabs could have at least got their act together and sorted their product out. Beta Vista's have been around for a long time.
ZoneLabs may loose out longer term because those wanting a non windows firewall will find one that works 'now' and not go back to Zone Alarm.
Written on 8/2/07 7:55 AM
I was surfing to find information about ZA's Vista status, and I'm exactly in the boat mentioned by the last commenter. Been a paid ZA Security Suite for years, but now I've installed Vista do I leave the new OS in the box while ZA get their act together? Nope - I need to buy something that works right now. Sorry ZA - I'm really going to miss you.
Written on 10/2/07 1:40 AM
The issue is there isn't really a stand-alone firewall that works with vista at ALL right now. It is really pathetic that these companies aren't getting themselves together enough to get one out. RTM has been out for about 3 months now.
Written on 12/2/07 3:38 AM
Norton internet security works just fine with Vista, been using it for 3 weeks, no problems!
Regards to all
Written on 15/2/07 12:10 AM
would just like to point out that a possible reason why all these other companies have, as yet, failed to release a viable vista release, is that microsoft initially denied them access access to the vista kernel. mcafee and symantec have thrown all their toys out of their prams over this, although finally realising seemingly stable products. BUT who cares! symantec turned 2 relatively poor products into 1 absolutely awful 1. yes zonealarm has too many bugs, even so it is still far superior and anyway you shouldn't be buying vista.
Written on 2/3/07 6:51 AM
A comparision of a commercial firewall with a firewall of Microsoft. That's a coool idea :( .
Microsoft mustn't develop a fully functional firewall. Symantec would start a war for that.
Written on 7/4/07 6:18 AM
Norton internet security is undoubtably the WORST ever firewall/antivirus-spam software on the market today.
Id rather use the shitty MS protection in Vista that that crap. After all, its a know fact that Norton write alot of viruses just to keep their sales up. It's just a brand like Nike, as just like Nike, its a shitty product.
There are quite a few Security suiets that work on Vista just people dont spend time doing their research.
Here is a few,
- PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007
- Panda Internet Security 2007
- Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0
- McAfee Internet Security Suite 2007
Any yes there are more.
As for the one saying ZA has to many bugs, go do more research, youll find your WRONG!
For the moment, I suggest you try PC-Cillin or Kaspersky as a trial if your waiting for ZoneAlarm to be completed. These 2 are by far the best I have tired and yes, I have tried them ALL!!!
Sub
Written on 10/5/07 1:18 PM
Kaspersky one of the best?!
Maybe it is according to the owners of Kaspesky - A legend in their own mind if they think they can survive on their past reputation of when they did make a good product!
I just tried multiple fresh installations of the very latest Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0.123.
With every installation I lost the Vista activation following a reboot after the installations.
A good/stable soft works well on all machines.
Kaspersky does not anymore!
Written on 28/6/07 10:13 AM
Nitwit, Kaspersky 7.0.123 is beta code ... what did you expect!
ZA-IS 7.1 works on Vista 32 just fine. KIS 6.0.1 works on Vista 32 and alittle on Vista 64. ZA will not support X64 according to their forum. they gave up over Patchguard conflicts and pulled their x64 firewall beta.
Written on 14/7/07 11:09 PM
Have been working to have anti-virus, spyware and firewall all on Vista Home Premium (32 bit). The PC came with McAfee Security Centre, wasn't impressed with it nor the resources it demanded. Zone Alarm 7.1 resulted in Blue screens despite going on near vanilla install (very disappointed as I love ZA on my XP PCs). Ended up with AVG anti-virus, PC tools spyware doctor, and PC Tools Firewall plus. Will look at ZA again in a few months but for now we're good.
Written on 17/7/07 12:33 AM
"Maybe MS want users to use the Vista firewall only."
Hehehe.....some say that the reasons behind this are not just commercial in nature.....
Written on 28/8/07 3:52 PM
Comodo firewall works great on Vista 32 bit...and it's FREE
Written on 1/12/07 7:30 AM