Of course, the user can set ZoneAlarm to always let Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Outlook access the Internet, and ZoneAlarm never asks again. A handy little icon shows the amount of data traveling into and out of the computer, although it serves no purpose except to alert the user to the movement of data traffic. ZoneAlarm s taskbar, when activated, shows a stop-sign icon that will lock down the computer at a click. It s a good feature if the user has reason to expect unauthorized access attempts. Moreover, the lock can be set to engage automatically, for example, whenever a screen saver starts, so no unauthorized communication can occur while the user is absent.
Local access lets users inside a network share files.
This seems simple enough, but the controls need improvement. Users can select only high, medium or low protection. The dialog box explains the results for each setting, but ZoneAlarm lacks the granular protection of Symantec s personal firewall especially the ability to block Java and ActiveX controls. The product has no privacy protections. Personal firewalls got their start protecting always-on cable or digital subscriber line connections at home.