Main tab (Firewall panel)

Click the numbers to learn about specific controls, or read an introduction.

Main tab (Firewall panel)

Use this tab to choose the basic level of security ZoneAlarm Pro will apply to traffic from computers you know and trust (the Trusted Zone) and computers you don't know (the Internet Zone).

To learn about Zones and security levels and see the related topics Security levels and What is a Zone?

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Internet Zone Security

	Use the slider to set the security level for the Internet Zone. The recommended security level for the Internet Zone is High.
	Click the Custom button to open the Internet Zone tab, where you can block or unblock specific ports.

About Internet Zone security levels

• High security puts your computer in stealth mode. Windows (NetBIOS) services and file and printer shares are blocked. Ports are opened only when a program to which you have given permission needs them.
  
• Medium security takes your computer out of stealth mode, making it visible to other computers on the Internet. Windows services are still blocked. Program permissions are still enforced.
• Low security enables Windows services. Your computer is visible to others, and file sharing is allowed. Program controls is still enforced.

Trusted Zone Security

	Use the slider to set the security level for the Trusted Zone. The recommended security level for the Trusted Zone is Medium.
	Click the Custom button to open the Trusted Zone tab, where you can block or unblock specific ports.

About Trusted Zone security levels

• High security puts your computer in stealth mode. Windows (NetBIOS) services and file and printer shares are blocked. Ports are opened only when a program you have given access permission or server permission needs them. Programs must have your permission in order to access the Internet or local network.
• Medium security takes your computer out of stealth mode, making it visible to other computers on the Internet. File and printer sharing, as well as Windows services (NetBIOS), are enabled. Programs must still have permission to access the Internet or local network.
• Low security enables Windows services. Your computer is visible to others, and file sharing is allowed. Program controls is still enforced.

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Restricted security

By definition, all traffic to or from the Blocked Zone is blocked by ZoneAlarm Pro.

Advanced

Click the Advanced button to access the Security tab.

Reset to Default

Click to reset the security levels for the Internet and Trusted Zones to their defaults (high and medium, respectively).

Note This does not reset the specific port and protocol restrictions for each Zone to their defaults. To do that, click the Custom button, then use the Reset to Default button in the Custom Securities dialog box.

Related Topics

Choosing security settings
Security levels
What is a Zone?

Glossary

stealth mode
When ZoneAlarm Pro puts your computer in stealth mode, any uninvited traffic receives no response--not even an acknowledgement that your computer exists. This renders your computer invisible to other computers on the Internet, until permitted program on your computer initiates contact.

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Trusted Zone
The Trusted Zone contains computers you trust want to share resources with.

For example, if you have three home PCs that are linked together in an Ethernet network, you can put each individual computer or the entire network adapter subnet in the ZoneAlarm Pro Trusted Zone. The Trusted Zone's default medium security settings enable you to safely share files, printers, and other resources over the home network. Hackers are confined to the Internet Zone, where high security settings keep you safe.

Internet Zone
The Internet Zone contains all the computers in the world—except those you have added to the Trusted Zone or Blocked Zone.

ZoneAlarm Pro applies the strictest security to the Internet Zone, keeping you safe from hackers. Meanwhile, the medium security settings of the Trusted Zone enable you to communicate easily with the computers or networks you know and trust—for example, your home network PCs, or your business network.