ZoneAlarm's ForceField protects browsers

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 25 September 2007 07:31

Your IT - Home IT

Security vendor Check Point is applying virtualisation technology to help protect web browsers from drive-by downloads and other threats.

ZoneAlarm ForceField, currently in public beta, protects uses against browser exploits, drive-by downloads, phishing attacks, and even keyloggers and spyware already installed on the PC.

It works with Internet Explorer (version 5.0 and higher) and Firefox (version 1.0 and higher) for Windows XP, creating a virtual identity that can be discarded at the end of the session. It blocks spyware distribution sites, phishing sites (via heuristics as well as signatures) and browser exploits; vets all downloaded files; and blocks keyloggers and screengrabbers already running on the PC.

The software can also prevent any traces of web use from being left on the computer, improving privacy.

Check Point claims its new program is compatible with any brand of antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall software.

A Windows Vista version is promised.

When the product ships in early 2008, it will include Instant ForceField, a portable version for use on borrowed or public computers. That alone could be worth the $US29.95 price for those who frequently use untrusted computers.

The beta can be downloaded via the ZoneAlarm web site.