Many people will often ask me, “What’s the best firewall I can get for my computer?” My first response is always ZoneAlarm. Check Point offers a free version of ZoneAlarm for non-commercial installations and its my all-time favorite firewall program. However, getting and installing the free version of ZoneAlarm can sometimes be a challenge if you don’t know where to look. In this blog, I’ll give you the step-by-step instructions needed to find, download, and install the free version of ZoneAlarm.
Finding the Free Version of ZoneAlarm
The free version of ZoneAlarm can be downloaded from http://www.zonealarm.com. However, finding the free version on the website isn’t easy. They don’t want you find the program, since the pay versions are how they make their money! But it’s still there if you know where to look. On the ZoneAlarm homepage, locate the “ZoneAlarm Products” drop-down menu and select “Compare All Products.”
On the product comparison page, locate the “Computer Security” section and find the column labeled “Free Firewall.” Click on the “Download” link on the product box image.
This will take you to the Free Firewall Page. The reason I don’t like linking directly to this page is because the link changes so often. Right now the link to the ZoneAlarm Free Firewall page is http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm, but that is subject to change! On the right hand side of the page, locate the big “Download” link and click it.
This will take you to yet another page (they’re really trying to make you buy their product). Find the Start Download Now button on the left hand side of the page and click it.
Finally, you’ll get to the actual ZoneAlarm download page! The download should start up automatically (it may appear slightly different than the image below depending upon which browser you’ll be using). Click on “Run” or “Save” to download the installation files.
Installing the Free Version of ZoneAlarm
While you may think you’re out of the woods, you’re not! ZoneAlarm still wants you to purchase their product, but you can still install the free version. When installing the program, make sure you choose the free version during the installation process. Make sure you click the radio button for the free version and not the 15-day trial.
That’s it! Follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to install your free version of ZoneAlarm. The installation process will require a reboot of your computer, but the rest of the process is relatively painless. Once you have your free firewall installed, your computer should be protected from many different types of malicious attacks.
