Zonealarm uses scareware tactics now too!
[url=http://tomsguide.com/us/ZoneAlarm-firewall-Scareware-Trojan-Check-Point,news-8069.html]Apparently Zonealarm now uses the same "scareware" tactic malicious software uses to trick users...[/url] I really hate when I have to fix peoples' computers after they accidentally install some antivirus that warned them that they were in danger.
Personally I haven't used Zonealarm on any of my systems in YEARS (like since I was in middle school...). Any of you guys still using ZA, or just sticking with good ol' Windows Firewall?
September 20, 2010
8 Comments • Newest first
@BobR: I think the worst part is the "Your PC may be in danger!" followed by a name of a trojan; I'm sure most people will think "oh, I have this virus on my computer!" when really all it is is ZoneAlarm just saying "only we can prevent this trojan from harming your system!"
"ZoneAlarm's "GeorgeV" said that the pop-up is merely information about a new virus, and that it does not indicate that the user's system is infected. "Letting you know that in addition to your ZA Free Firewall," he said. "You also need a good anti-virus program to protect you against viruses. If you already have a good updated anti-virus program installed, then you can just ignore the notice."
..Bull.
I used ZA a long time ago when I was on Windows XP. Then I tried Online Armor but the HIPS function was too much for me to handle. Now I just used Windows Firewall for simplicity.
I never expected a reputable company to used scareware tactics. lol
Or you could just use Mac OSX/Linux for everything but gaming. Thats how I do it.
I hate scareware programs. I fix computers for friends in my sparetime. Most of the time, they have scareware programs like worldantispy, antivirus gold 2010, or other bullcrap scamware like that. This is one reason why I only use windows for gaming.
[quote=walridge3]I guess it's not nearly as bad considering it still will protect you (the free ZA that is), but the popup would certainly be annoying to me, and I know for others they would be scared into buying the professional edition just because the popup told them to.[/quote]
Yes- it's definitely objectionable that they're using scare tactics to sell their products. I know several people who would be scared to death to get this popup and would probably turn their computers off completely until they could badger me into "fixing" it for them.
That article in your link makes the company sound even worse with their lame excuses about it. They know how people are going to view it... the damn thing made me stop and look at it closely to see exactly what the problem was.
Actually, I'm looking at the Comodo reviews right now.
[quote=BobR]Avira is something completely different from what ZoneAlarm does.
Yeah, I got that ZoneAlarm popup too. Had to read it closely before I realized it was just a "come on" trying to sell their Pro version. (Oddly, it only popped on one of my computers, but that's another story.)
It's not as bad as the malicious software things though because it doesn't do anything to hurt your computer. You just click "no thanks" and it goes away. The malicious stuff really screws with your computer badly.
It's like Nexon having to put a "Get some NX!" link on EVERYTHING now. Gotta sell what you can, when you can.[/quote]
I guess it's not nearly as bad considering it still will protect you (the free ZA that is), but the popup would certainly be annoying to me, and I know for others they would be scared into buying the professional edition just because the popup told them to.
[quote=markp]avira.[/quote]Avira is something completely different from what ZoneAlarm does.
Yeah, I got that ZoneAlarm popup too. Had to read it closely before I realized it was just a "come on" trying to sell their Pro version. (Oddly, it only popped on one of my computers, but that's another story.)
It's not as bad as the malicious software things though because it doesn't do anything to hurt your computer. You just click "no thanks" and it goes away. The malicious stuff really screws with your computer badly.
It's like Nexon having to put a "Get some NX!" link on EVERYTHING now. Gotta sell what you can, when you can.
Invest in Bitdefender.