Smoothwall vs. ZoneAlarm
Hackers can destroy computer files and steal personal information from unsecured computers. A firewall helps to protect against these attacks. Both ZoneAlarm and Smoothwall provide firewall protection. Although ZoneAlarm has accumulated over 60 million user downloads, Smoothwall's network protection may be the better choice for your security needs. By learning the differences in these firewalls, you can choose the right firewall for protecting your computer against online security threats.
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ZoneAlarm Uses
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Check Point develops ZoneAlarm for use on a personal computer. You download the firewall to the computer that you normally use to access the Internet. The software then monitors the incoming and outgoing traffic whenever you're online. The typical users of ZoneAlarm are people using a computer at home to surf the Internet. Small businesses sometimes use ZoneAlarm, as well.
Smoothwall Uses
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Smoothwall is open-source firewall software. It has its own security-hardened GNU/Linux operating system, which requires a dedicated computer that functions as your firewall. Small and medium-sized businesses use Smoothwall to protect an entire network of computers. It isn't designed for use on a personal computer. However, tech-savvy individuals with a number of connected computers in their home sometimes use Smoothwall.
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Installation
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With ZoneAlarm, you just click the download link and follow the on-screen instructions. You don't need any advanced technical skills to deploy ZoneAlarm on your computer. Smoothwall is a different story. Although you don't need to know Linux to install Smoothwall, you must have skills in computer networking and the ability to connect the dedicated computer with the Smoothwall system to the network. The download page has a link to an installation guide.
Free Options
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ZoneAlarm has a free version that protects against hackers and spyware, but it's only for personal and nonprofit use where the organization isn't a school or government agency. You download a single copy to all of your computers that need a firewall. Smoothwall Express is free for both personal and business use. You can protect up to about 200 users with this free version. Smoothwall has dozens of advanced features for those with the technical skills to understand them. Because it is Open Source software, you can even make your own developer additions to Smoothwall. Conversely, ZoneAlarm provides a simpler interface that is suited to those without technical skills.
ZoneAlarm Paid Options
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ZoneAlarm Firewall PRO enhances protection by adding an advanced firewall that monitors for suspicious behavior, advanced download protection and credit monitoring. The PRO version also functions as a backup service. You can store up to 2 gigabytes, or GB, of data as extra insurance against a security breach. Smoothwall does not have this feature. At the time of publication, the ZoneAlarm PRO firewall is about $30 per year. ZoneAlarm also has additional products that provide antivirus protection, data locks if you lose your computer, protection for social networking and other features. As of the time of publication, prices range from about $20 to $80 per year.
Smoothwall Paid Options
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The Smoothwall Advanced Firewall and Unified Threat Management, or UTM, devices can handle a network with up to 5,000 users. This is an expensive product that you would typically purchase if you have at least 250 computer users in your organization and hire or consult with IT professionals for your computing needs. The product has dozens of add-on features not included in Smoothwall Express. Examples include virtual private networks and a module for email security. At the time of publication, prices start at about $1,500. Fill out the "Evaluate Our Products" page to get in contact with Smoothwall for specific details and a free trial.
Space Requirements
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You need at least 1GB of hard-disk space on the dedicated computer for Smoothwall Express and 4GB for Smoothwall Advanced Firewall. You need 100MB for the ZoneAlarm free version and 250MB for the PRO version.
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References
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