Zone Alarm rip off!

botheredbothered Manchester UK
edited October 2003 in Science & Tech
I have been using ZA pro for quite a while and reformatted the PC. I put ZA back in from a back up copy, enter the license key and it's rejected. I emailed ZA and here is part of their reply-

NOTE: Zone Labs has a 60 day renewal policy. Once your license key has expired you have 60 days from the day it expires to purchase a discounted renewal package. After 60 days you will need to purchase the full version to obtain a new license key.

Why did they let me believe I was buying the product when it seems I was only renting it? The new key gives you access to support and updates but why can't I use the one I 'bought'?

bothered.:banghead:

Comments

  • PowerMDPowerMD OR room #3
    edited October 2003
    bah
    I love the update message - you have ZA 1.3.5, new update 1.3.5.1a now available $50.
    Seriously blows
    arggg matey arrggg - off to irc
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    That really sux!!! That sounds like the kind of thing in fine print to watch out for. If you would have known you could have kept a copy of the new version of the app file when you completed the regisration.

    soapbox.gif
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited October 2003
    Use a router to firewall your network. Do you really need to firewall a particular PC?
  • TropicalTropical
    edited October 2003
    in these cases I recommend you to get a key generator but that illegal ;)
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    They're almost asking for piracy with a crap-ass policy like that. Who charges for an update? Dicks....
  • PowerMDPowerMD OR room #3
    edited October 2003
    they always charge for every update
    but the new ZA is pretty kickass - easy to set up firewall with good popup/spam killer power
    also prevents progs from accessing the internet that shouldn't be
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited October 2003
    It is good and I am behind a router as well but ZA occasionaly asks me if a certain prog can access the net so it does have its uses.
    Key gen? that's a terrible thing to suggest and I'm glad you pointed out it's illegal, where do such people find them?

    bothered.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited October 2003
    Primesuspect... you use virus scanner software?

    Every piece of virus scanning/firewall software I've come across is a "subscription" thing... you buy a CD, but you only get updates free for a year...
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited October 2003
    I remember when most MS software worked using a serial# of all 0s. That was nice. Never had to remember anything except 0 :D. Too bad that doesn't work any more.
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited October 2003
    Geeky1 said
    Primesuspect... you use virus scanner software?

    Every piece of virus scanning/firewall software I've come across is a "subscription" thing... you buy a CD, but you only get updates free for a year...


    I use pc cillin because it's free with my online banking. Updates at least twice a week for the last 2 years. Hasn't cost me a penny.
    And yes, despite a router and ZA it has caught a few virus's.

    bothered.
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited October 2003
    Geeky1 said
    Primesuspect... you use virus scanner software?

    Every piece of virus scanning/firewall software I've come across is a "subscription" thing... you buy a CD, but you only get updates free for a year...

    That's why I use NAV2001 on most of my rigs, because I accidently found out that if you set the year to like 2007 say and then install NAV2001, then change the year back after installation, you will have however many years that you first installed with plus 1 year of free updates left.:D
  • qparadoxqparadox Vancouver, BC
    edited October 2003
    rofl that's awesome muddocktor :D

    I personally use AVG which is completely free. I've got it installed on about 20 comps (not all mine but a group that I built / sold to ppl). There's been a couple of infections but they were all due to unupdated software (because ppl are stupid) or windows bugs.

    A software firewall as well as a router are always a good idea. Its always good to be able to precisely control the ports each computer will allow to be opened.
  • SlickSlick Upstate New York
    edited October 2003
    Try out Sygate firewall, it is way better than ZAP in my opinion.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    I use NAV corporate (Symantec AV). No subscriptions.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    I tried NAV corporate, but it refused to ever let me update the defs or the software in any way......

    NS
  • ArmoArmo Mr. Nice Guy Is Dead,Only Aqua Remains Member
    edited October 2003
    how many progs do u think some 1 can find to crash ZA, I bet its more than 1
  • TemplarTemplar You first.
    edited October 2003
    primesuspect said
    I use NAV corporate (Symantec AV). No subscriptions.

    How much was that?
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    NavCE standalone is about $80 per seat. If you do it managed styled, with a NAV server, it's about $250 for the server and $50 per seat.
  • KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired) By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    Armogeddon00 said
    how many progs do u think some 1 can find to crash ZA, I bet its more than 1

    What's your point?
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    Zone Alarm is crap, full stop.

    Use something decent and more professional such as Kerio Personal Firewall.

    NS
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    linux == free
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    Kerio PFW is free too btw.

    NS
  • ArmoArmo Mr. Nice Guy Is Dead,Only Aqua Remains Member
    edited October 2003
    TD_Isles said
    Armogeddon00 said
    how many progs do u think some 1 can find to crash ZA, I bet its more than 1

    What's your point?

    ZA probably shouldnt be your first choice for a firewall, considering how mainstream it is, look at aim, u can find progs that boot people off, flood them off of aol, and send them viruses with out them even knowing, now that IS aol lol, but still, its usually the mainstream progs that get hammered with security hole exploitations, WINDOWS!!!!! id try to get a small cheap hardware firewall, or try another prog, but if you have sensitive files on ur computer, id rather try a different route than ZA
  • MERRICKMERRICK In the studio or on a stage
    edited October 2003
    Zone Alarm is crap, full stop. Use something decent and more professional such as Kerio Personal Firewall.

    In regards to both Free versions, what is the difference? I use ZA Free BTW.
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited October 2003
    UT:Austin supplies me with a free full registered copy of NAV and Symantec Personal Firewall Corporate editions. pretty sweet deal if you ask me
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    MERRICK had this to say
    Zone Alarm is crap, full stop. Use something decent and more professional such as Kerio Personal Firewall.

    In regards to both Free versions, what is the difference? I use ZA Free BTW.

    Just try it. It has more options than ZA and normally also works better.

    NS
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