Known Issues
Zone Alarm, and the Beta-testing community, have already identified a number of issues. That is, after all, the point of Beta testing. Below is a list of the known issues:
- Anti-phishing heuristics may slow browsing at some sites. The phishing characteristics detection (heuristics) that ForceField performs at Web sites may slow the speed at which some Web sites load.
- Problems opening Microsoft Outlook. In some instances, Microsoft Outlook may not launch properly when ForceField is running.
- Game protection software (nProtect) conflict. The ForceField anti-keylogger uses a low-level system technology that may conflict with other low-level technologies, such as software that is often used for protecting computer games from debugging and malicious access to game code.
- Some applications may launch unprotected (no ForceField) browser windows. Some programs, including some instant messengers, may have Web page links that open a browser window without ForceField.
- ForceField may block uploading large files. In some instances ForceField may block uploads via html of large files.
- Files in virtual file system may become corrupted due to some reason and as a result browser may fail to start.
Performance
I did not conduct any scientific measurements of computer response or Web page loading times. On the other hand, you probably won't conduct scientific tests either. Suffice it to say that I was able to use the product without any noticeable delays or impact to system performance. Some web sites loaded a little slower, which is an issue already addressed with the antiphishing detection.
Much of the functionality can already be found in existing antimalware products. The ability to block keystroke logging utilities, and spyware is common. The ability to block downloads can be found in other products or configured with built-in Windows controls. The antiphishing feature is also an inherent function of both the Internet Explorer and Firefox web browsers.
Why use the product then? The answer is for the unique functionality that is not found in other products, namely the web session virtualization. Force Field protects your computer, your identity, and your privacy by virtualizing the Web session.
Force Field creates a "virtual" web session, so attackers are unable to identify or target your computer or the real you. The virtual session also removes all cookies, history and tracking once the session ends.
The other advantage is that the virtualization of the Private browser can also be used from other PC's.
Overall Value
It is hard to argue with free. As long as the software is available for free in its Beta version, why not download it and take a look? There are actually a few reasons- the known issues and the unknown issues. Any time you install Beta software, you have to be prepared for glitches and problems. The whole point of Beta testing is to identify and resolve those issues.Once the product is available in stores, I am not sure I would invest in it. The price, $29.95, probably won't break the bank, but since much of the functionality is probably already being provided to you by some other security suite, the extra investment may not be warranted.
For now, Zone Alarm is offering a special deal. If you purchase the Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite for $49.95 (with licenses to let you protect up to 3 PC's) they will give you a free copy of Force Field when it becomes available. Aside from that, I think it is a solid product, but it would make more sense to integrate it with the Internet Security Suite and include it as a feature of that package rather than a separate, standalone purchase.