So which do you lot think is the better Firewall Zonealarm or Sygate.

I don't want a list of all the others out there!

Pesonally, I have always used Zone Alarm, but many others say very good things about Sygate. Try them both!
I'd suggest trying Sygate first, as Zone Alarm can be a bear to UNINSTALL. It's not a flaw, it's just that it's take a person following directions carefully and then ZA can easily be UNINSTALLED.
I have also heard that one or the other firewall will run BETTER on one PC or the other, without any obvious reason.
And may I suggest using a router with NAT as it adds another layer of protection.

ZA basic(free) was the first firewall that I had.I had Visual Zone added on to it.I liked it a lot.But I did had to do a system recovery and I decided to try the free version of Sygate.I prefer Sygate.It has the back-trace feature built in whereas you have to add Visual Zone(it's free)to ZA to be able to back-trace.They are both easy to use.I think that they both do the job.EC mentioned the un-install issue regarding ZA.That's the big drawback for ZA IMO.If you compare the two,follow EC's advice and try Sygate first.Hope this helps.JB

The free version of Sygate works very good. Be sure to dig a little deeper into Sygate's settings, as it allows by default programs to have server rights. It is fairly easy to change, but you do need to know that you must take that step to increase the security. It has backtracing built into it and is as easy to use as Zone Alarm. Take care!

They are both excellent. Think Sygate just about has the edge though.

Don't really matter which one you use, either will do, so too many others' out there, just as long as you have a firewall of some description.

They both work well. I have seen many issues about the ZA uninstall bit, well they were right. I didnt think "I" would have a problem getting all the traces that I had ZA on my PC off. BUT I was wrong! I had been finding entrails of ZA for 3 months & finally I think I have it all gone! It never caused any probs but just left a bunch of garbage here & there... alot in registry & this is with a proper uninstall using ZAs instructions. Well, I heard alot of good bout Sygate & switched, I prefer it over ZA, it is more configurable than ZA, features...
I must say ZA never caused me any problems but I have seen it on others PCs & they have no problems with Sygate. Both equal in security IMHO . I just have a prefrence to Sygate. Either choice you make between the 2 will be a good one. Good Luck in your decision Speedy

Does that seem odd as Sygate has some deafult settings at SERVER, as any novice could EASILY overlook that and get into trouble very fast and very deep?
I hope the program at least has BIG RED letters warning you on the FIRST page about the default server action.

Also, I have INSTALLED and UNINSTALLED Zone Alarm (FREE and PRO) at least 7 times (not on the same PC) and have not had any problems, none at all.
I think the key was that I read the directions TWICE and very slowly performed the UNINSTALL, verifying EACH step BEFORE it completed.

Check with www.grc.com. Last I checked, he found ZoneAlarm to be the most secure. Sygate leaves some ports open, as do most other firewalls. The free version along with Visual Zone is just fine. I have Zone Alarm Pro, not sure its worth the extra bucks.

You can configure Sygate easier to be stealth on all ports I have and Zone Alarm the free one has issues with System Restore and another program (just cant remember the one) I did use zone alarm until these problems with free version 3, switched to Sygate and I really like it alot better, you can backtrace and don't have to add another program the free Sygate is in my opinion better...Another thing when zone alarm first came out with the version 3 update, the second day I used it I had problems I emailed them several time and no answer, other people on this forum have done the same and they just don't answer, so I personally don't like that.

I'd say whatever firewall you try install ZoneAlarm last, and before you try it make a backup copy of the system registry so that you can restore it after the uninstall because it will infest the system registry.

If you go with Sygate,which I say you should...here's a site that will help you tremendously;

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=16&groupid=60610&ck=

NITHER ONE,
Go with KERIO >>>

Thanks all for your comments, I think I will go for Zone Alarm but do a back up first and read the intructions when it comes to unintstalling.

Thanks!!

Might as well as turn off your System Restore because it won't work right.

We'll be seein' 'ya soon with your ZA problems...

Robbie,

It depends on what features are important to your particular situation. PC Magazine just did a review on several software firewalls, Sygate and Zone Alarm among them. It's located here.

HTH

I have Zone Alarm. I tried to update to the 3.95.1 and have had problems ever since. I have lost the cab file VSNETUTILS.DLL. Ever since I cannot get my internet explorer to work.

I have found a site to download the missing file, but there are no instructions as to what folder it belongs in? Can anyone help?

Steve

You may have to reinstall Zone Alarm but first, be certain to carefully READ and FOLLOW their UNINSTALL directions to the letter.

Hello,
Just giving one information which could help maybe the subject....
Both programs are good, I have been using them both.
Problem is that ZA is sometimes crashing with internet provider AOL. All the computer then freeze and you need to re-boot your machine.
That's why I use now SYGATE.
Also, the freeware version of SYGATE own an option to be able to detect the IP address of the hacker trying to input your computer.
You find this option on ZA only on version PRO.......

My hp laptop came with zone alarm and after I installed IE6, I had a nightmare situation of IE not saving any certificates and the security verification window pops 10 times for each website and you have to press OK 10 times to go through. That drove me crazy and I uninstalled Zone and I am still having the problem. I followed the uninstall instructions deligently -- same problem.

I contacted ZA technical support and those idiots refer me to the same instructions on their web site..

can any one help on how to fix IE?