First things first…
Having a mobile office means staying connected on-the-go. This, undoubtedly, requires connecting to the internet. More often than not you’ll probably be using unsecured wireless networks, or WiFi hotspots, at the local bookstore, coffee shop or your hotel. Connecting to the Internet, in general, without using at least basic firewall and anti-virus protection would be like wandering the infectious disease ward at a hospital in a third-world country without a mask on… not a good idea and odds are, you’re gonna catch something. Connecting to an unsecured public access point without a firewall and anti-viruses software, on the other hand, is really asking for it. I don’t want to go too far into detail and technical jargon so suffice it to say: the Internet is teeming with viruses, trojans amd worms (oh my!), and probably some stuff I’ve never heard of. I hope we’re all past disbelief and realize the Internet is no place for an unprotected computer.
Over the years I’ve experimented with and used many different anti-virus and firewall programs. There’s a lot of them, and most are pretty good. Two, in particular though, have been my favorites over the years: ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite and Comodo Internet Security Pro. I recently switched exclusively to Comodo for it’s advanced features but I still recommend ZoneAlarm to family and friends for it’s ease of use. Both are excellent programs and provide top-notch protection.
ZoneAlarm Security Alert
ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite, as I stated before, offers excellent protection and it’s easy to use. It has advanced features but, for the most part, it’s very user friendly. ZoneAlarm automatically detects new networks and allows you to name them and asks that you identify them as public or private, secure, networks. I like that ZoneAlarm is proactive. It shows pop-ups for events to notify you of certain occurrences and asks your permission in an easy-to-understand interface with suggestions before allowing them to occur. When a program tries to access the Internet, for example, a window pops up to alert you to this fact. The window shows, among other things, the application name, the IP destination and a SmartDefense Advisor recommendation as to whether the program is safe or not. If it’s a trusted application SmartDefense Advisor will recommend that you select ‘Remember this setting’ and then click allow which will give the go-ahead for the program to connect and prevent the pop-up from occuring again for that application. ZoneAlarms features are numerous. Special Internet Offer for ZoneAlarm Antivirus Protection – Click here!
Comodo Internet Security Pro
Comodo Internet Security Pro, on the other hand, is a little more complicated to use but packs a serious punch. The firewall consults a huge list of over two-million PC-friendly applications before it allows an Internet connection. If the program isn’t on the list, it’ll ask you to decide. Some security programs bar access to your computer based on what they know to be bad. Comodo takes the reverse approach. If it’s not on their exclusive “safe-list’ it can’t get in without your permission. Another feature, Defense+, monitors all executable files on your computer and lets the ones run that are recognized or that you give permission too. Comodo allows you to quickly and easily set security levels for Defense+ and the firewall. Defense+ can be set to ‘Disabled’, ‘Training Mode’, ‘Clean PC Mode’, ‘Safe Mode’ and ‘Paranoid Mode’ depending upon user situation. The firewall allows for ‘Disabled’, ‘Training Mode’ and ‘Safe Mode’ too, as well as ‘Custom Policy Mode’ and ‘Block All Mode’. A huge benefit to Comodo Internet Security Pro is it’s TrustConnect WiFi security feature. TrustConnect works as a VPN to insure all your traffic to and from the Internet is encrypted and remains insusceptible to sniffers. Overall excellent product which is why I use it myself. Sign Up Now and Receive one month free of Comodo Internet Security Pro!
Both ZoneAlarm and Comodo offer excellent security suites and if you’re going to connect to the internet, especially on-the-go, you need to protect yourself from intrusion. If you’re looking for ease of use and excellent protection, ZoneAlarm is the ticket. If you’d like excellent protection that’s a little more feature-rich, give Comodo a shot.