This isn't going to be a review of either companies software. What I'm doing here is expressing some concerns and relating how one company operates compared to the other. I'm sure as with every software vendor. Zone Labs would tell you there are some valid reasons for them not having a Vista compatible build out for customers at this point. Right now there is only a 32 bit beta available. At this time no plans for a 64 bit version have been announced. The general feeling is this won't see the light of day anytime soon. Why is it one of the largest software firewall developers can't get Vista ready builds out the door? Is the focus now to much on the corporate side of security? Other vendors including Kaspersky have product builds that function with Microsoft Vista 32 and 64 bit operating systems. Many ZoneAlarm users have been asking similar questions for some time now. As I've said in the past. This didn't happen because I wasn't trying. For a number of years now I've been on the warpath asking when a beta ZoneAlarm would go into testing for Vista. Long before actual Vista testing went public. Below is my reply to one Zone Labs forum user who asked what the delay is.
While I would agree that proper testing is always a plus. It is hard to argue with the fact that many other vendors have fully working Vista builds released. As far as I'm aware those products aren't seeing any major issues. So is it really out of line for long time ZoneAlarm users to ask questions as to why a beta is being brought to the table this late in the game? As a long time Zone Labs supporter I'm now having to look at other vendors products to keep my 64 bit machines secure. That is frustrating considering I was looking forward to seeing how Zone Labs had done with the Kaspersky antivirus integration. Not to mention the fact that I personally don't feel other firewall vendors offer what Zone Labs does. Yet Kaspersky is an example of a company that has their antivirus working for both 32 bit and 64 bit Vista. Along with a suite that competes with Zone Labs ZoneAlarm product. Is it really wrong to question why Zone Labs isn't willing to do the same for customers? You can't tell me that market share isn't going to be hurt by this. I honestly thought I would be able to reduce my security software by one now that Zone Labs partnered with Kaspersky. Instead I had to renew my license for my Kaspersky antivirus. Maybe I should have just bought their suite ( Kaspersky's ) and given it a spin. Since I have no choice being offered by Zone Labs. I highly doubt I'm the only one thinking this way.
