The changes made to improve the default firewall in Windows 7  are impressive, but the newest version of the free ZoneAlarm  Firewall argues that Microsoft still has a long way to go.  ZoneAlarm 9.2 introduces multiple new features to one of the world's  oldest computer security programs including quieter outbound protection,  behavioral detection from the ZoneAlarm Internet security suite,  automatic Wi-Fi security setting activation, antiphishing protection, an  overhauled ZoneAlarm toolbar, and 2GB of online storage for free. 
 Installation 
 Program installation was largely a smooth experience, taking about 5  minutes. Users will have to reboot their computers after its done. Prior  users of ZoneAlarm's paid security suites might encounter some odd  behavior if the uninstallation process of one of those programs left  remnants, but this should be the rare exception and not the rule. 
   Interface 
 ZoneAlarm has unified its security interfaces, so users familiar with  one program won't see dramatic changes in another. The left side  contains navigation links; the center window is where all the action  happens. As noted in the review of ZoneAlarm  Extreme Security, it's not a bad design but it doesn't pop  visually. The text links can be hard to read because of font choice, and  although the center buttons are big, the details within could be easier  to read. 
 Features and support 
 Designed to be used in conjunction with an antivirus program, the  strongest tool in ZoneAlarm's belt is the outbound firewall. Though  Windows does offer some outbound protection, it's not activated by  default. Most users tend to leave it off because they either don't know  about it, or when they do turn it on it regularly interrupts their  workflow with pop-up security warnings. Older versions of ZoneAlarm used  to be noisy with pop-ups as well, but the new version has been set to  be quieter without changing the level of protection. If you prefer, this  can be changed in the program settings. 
   
 The main window of ZoneAlarm Firewall Free.
 (Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)    During a half-day of testing the default ZoneAlarm Firewall settings,  the only pop-ups encountered were those blocking new software  installations. The pop-ups for the three programs tested went away and  allowed the installation to proceed with one click. More than just a low  rate of interference, only encountering pop-ups for program  installations is precisely the kind of warning that keeps you aware of  what's occurring on your computer without distracting you simply for  surfing the Web. 
 The benefits of an outbound firewall might not be readily apparent. An  inbound firewall blocks threats coming in from the outside, but an  outbound firewall does more than prevent your computer from spreading  viruses and malware to others. If your computer has been compromised by a  botnet, for example, outbound protection will stop it from sending your  data back to its host servers. It can also stop program spoofing, which  is when a malicious program pretends to be a good one, and IP spoofing,  which is when harmful network transmissions dress up as safe ones. 
 This update includes DefenseNet, ZoneAlarm's behavioral detection system  of anonymously contributed data that's used to verify and block  threats. Previously, it had only been present in ZoneAlarm's antivirus  programs. You can opt out from it when you install, but contributing  doesn't negatively affect your system's performance. 
 The ZoneAlarm toolbar has also been given more than a simple  spit-shine. You can opt out of installing it when you run the main  installer, and install it later if you wish, but ZoneAlarm was quick to  point out that it without it key security features are not activated.  Hiding the toolbar after it's been installed won't disable its  protections, which include the aforementioned signature and  heuristic-based antiphishing protections. 
 It also adds a site check option that can be used to reveal the date  founded and physical location of the site and has customizable safe site  buttons for launching regularly visited sites such as Facebook or your  banking site. The e-mail checker built into the toolbar is compatible  with Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, RR, Univision, and POP3 accounts.  Unfortunately, there's no IMAP support. Finally, the toolbar links to  ZoneAlarm's free 2GB of online backup space, courtesy IDrive, and six  months free identity theft protection from IdentityGuard. 
 One of the more annoying limitations of the toolbar is that it only  works with Firefox  and Internet Explorer, even though Chrome has supported extensions for a  year. Given the instability that toolbars contribute to IE, and the  clutter that they add to the browser interface, ZoneAlarm would probably  get more mileage out of the feature if it was reduced to a single  button that opened a new window or expanded a set of buttons. 
   
 ZoneAlarm's toolbar revamp includes new, useful  features, but it's still a toolbar.
 (Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)    The Help link in the bottom left of the interface only links to  the program's Help file. The only in-program access to the online help  Web site, in the form of the free knowledge base and forums or paid  telephone support during business hours, comes as a link under the  Product Info sub-option under Overview on the left nav. 
 Performance 
 ZoneAlarm's performance was notable simply for how unnoticeable it was.  Shutdown time did not appear to be affected at all, and neither did  starting up cold nor rebooting. Changing the antivirus program that it  was partnered with didn't affect the firewall's behavior, either. These  are big changes from previous versions of ZoneAlarm, and obviously,  they're welcome ones, too. 
 Conclusion 
 This update of ZoneAlarm Firewall Free should make people do a  double-take because of the features and low interference level from the  program. It also should do wonders for ZoneAlarm's reputation, but that  has more to do with whether years of substandard updates can be erased  by a firewall that is the strong, silent type that users need.