Download ZoneAlarm ForceField 1.0.158 Beta

A beta version of Zonealarm Forcefield was released on Tuesday. This security program provides a number of protection tools, including the ability to run a browser in a sandbox through a stripped-down virtualization machine.

The software can run Internet Explorer 6 and 7, and Firefox 1 and 2 browsers in a ‘precision virtualization engine’ within Windows XP and Vista. By creating a virtual file system and registry, Forcefield prevents Internet threats from reaching the user’s real system. When you end a browsing session, any malware picked up online is automatically removed. Further protection is provided by other browser security tools, including a phishing filter, an anti-keylogger, and a site blocker. Check Point plans to release a paid version of the program in the first quarter of 2008 at a price of $29.95, until then the software will remain free to use.

Known issues in this Beta release:

• 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 or large files.
• Files in virtual file system may become corrupted due to some reason and as a result browser may fail to start.