Directory  
     Your Guide To PC Maintenance and Security    
   del.icio.us    
   
Install Zone Alarm Properly



Once you have downloaded Zone Alarm navigate to the directory that you have downloaded it in. Please note that you CAN NOT have any other antivirus program installed on your computer at the time you are installing the Zone Alarm Security Suite. You must go to Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs and remove any and ALL previous virus suites before you begin. After you have uninstalled all the previous AntiVirus suites you can now proceed with the Zone Alarm Security Suite installation.

Once you have navigated to the folder in which Zone Alarm was downloaded double click on the file that was downloaded to start the installation of the program. Upon double-clicking the executable file (.exe) the first screen that will appear will look as follows. We recommend leaving the default folder location and proceeding by clicking "NEXT".





Upon clicking "NEXT" in the installation of Zone Alarm, you will be prompted to type your name and email address for product registration. Zone Alarm registration is extremely important as it will provide you with future updates to the program that come out several times a year. You can then opt to have them automatically inform you via email of the updates to the program. This will enable you to know exactly when the newest updates are available so you can download the newest version of Zone Alarm at your earliest convenience. Zone Alarm also has an update manager that can be set to check automatically for updates. Upon filling out the required information you can now click next to continue the installation of Zone Alarm.





The next step to installing Zone Alarm is to read and accept the "License Agreement". You accept the Zone Alarm License Agreement by clicking on the "I accept the terms..." check box. Upon clicking on the box please press the "INSTALL" button that you see in the picture below.





Once the install process has begun for Zone Alarm, the install time will vary based on your PC speed and memory size. You may experience a screen with no install progress bar for a few seconds. This is normal. Eventually you will see the following screen pop-up to notify you the installation progress of Zone Alarm.





Upon the installation completing of Zone Alarm you will be presented with the following survey. It only takes a few seconds and helps Zone Alarm understand its client base.





Here you can see the options that we have selected for this documentation. The choices reflect our current situation, as should yours.





Once the installation has finished it will prompt you with a window asking if you would like to start the Zone Alarm Security Suite now. In order to properly complete installation please click "YES".





The next window will prompt you to "BUY" Zone Alarm now, "To begin or continue your trial", and "If you've already purchased the program and have the license number "please click to insert your license key". SInce we have already purchased the program and have our license key we will be taking the third option.





The following window will ask you to enter your serial number. Upon entering your serial number please click "FINISH" on the bottom of the screen.





If your enter the correct Zone Alarm Security Suite serial number you will be greeted with the following window notifying you of the successful entry.





Next the Zone Alarm "Configuration Wizard" will guide you through the "Review of the Security Settings" and the "Tutorial" if you so desire one. We feel that following the instructions laid out here the tutorial is not necessary and may seem somewhat cumbersome to find the simplest answers. Please click "NEXT" to proceed with the installation and configuration of Zone Alarm.





The first option is for you to join Zone Alarm's "DEFENSE NET". DEFENSE NET is Zone Alarm's community united to keeping hackers from entering our PC's and collecting personal information. This feature ONLY shares your configuration settings and nothing else. This helps ZOne Labs determine what security settings are the most popular and thus enabling initial installation more fluid and profound through research. If you opt to participate please click the "Yes" radial, if not please click the "No, thanks" radial.





The next step in configuring Zone Alarm will opt you to choose what kind of settings you would like the program to take. "Automatic" will set up your PC with the most common settings that users have submitted to Zone Labs. "Manual" let's you make the final decision to the programs actions that it deems necessary. This is the option of choice as it enables you to understand a little bit more of what goes on in the way of configuration. The last option is to Leave the "SmartDefense" off. This is not recommended option. Please click "NEXT" when you have made your choice.





If you are using Zone Alarm to protect your PC as Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware program this is where you would check off these settings. We highly recommend that you use Zone Alarm to it's fullest capability and allow it to monitor such activities as Viruses and Spyware. Please check off both boxes and click "NEXT" when you have made the proper choice.





The next step in the "Configuration Wizard" is to decide if you would like Zone Alarm to manage and block out "Junk Email". We personally like to review all of our emails that come in. There are legitimate web sites and emails that at times get collected into a "SPAM" bin but they are information that we may have wanted or even requested. Most of the filters setup through email servers now filter out a great percentage of "SPAM" and "PHISHING" emails. We for instance use Gmail and find that it's servers are almost perfect at filtering out such emails. Once you have selected if you want Zone Alarm to scan your emails for suspicious emails, please click "NEXT".





A large percentage of online users have a form of instant messaging on their PC. Zone Alarm has a Security Monitor that can encrypt your IM conversation for absolute privacy when using your computer and communicating with others. Zone Alarm Security Monitor currently supports ICQ, AIM, MSN, and Yahoo instant messengers. If you are a worried about privacy within your instant messaging, we recommend you turn on "IM Security". Upon making your decision please click on "NEXT".





As a privacy option, Zone Alarm offers to block pop-ups, banner ads, and third party cookies from your computer along with providing a "cache cleaner". Cache is "A memory area where frequently accessed data can be stored for rapid access". It is where your computer saves current information of your operating and web site habits in order to pull information together much faster when you constantly frequent many sites. With respect to pop-ups, banner ads and third party cookies, we find that the Google Toolbar stops virtually all pop-ups and while banner ads still exist there is no immediate harm with them. The third party cookies at times can belong to legitimate web sites and can cause login problems. We have personally experienced this with trying to log into an Excite.com account. The final choice is yours, and you can always come back and turn the options on or off as you deem necessary. For "cache cleaning" we recommend a much more fluid program that is available for free, CCleaner. We will also highlight this program on out recommend as we continue to provide the best and most efficient methods to enjoying your PC. Upon making your selection, please click the "NEXT" button.





Congratulations!!! You have successfully installed Zone Alarm. Please click the "DONE" button on the window that will appear.





You will now be prompted with a window that will advise you that you a reboot is required to finish the installation process. Please click "OK" to have your computer restarted. While there shouldn't be any other programs running, in case there is, please save ALL work before clicking "OK" and rebooting.



Back to Zone Alarm Tutorial Page

Next Zone Alarm Tutorial



Remove Spyware - Prevent New Spyware From Installing

Spyware's Most Wanted

The How-To-Guide on Spyware Removal and Preventative Maintenance


All rights reserved and all copyrights are registered to the www.removingspywareforfree.com © 2005-2006