Battle G DATA - ZoneAlarm Extreme Security NextGen

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G Data, Zone Alarm
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  1. Microsoft Windows
Maschera

Maschera

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Hello, my dear MalwareTips friends. I hope the new year is going well for you. As someone who has been following this forum for a long time and working in the IT sector, my antivirus renewal dates are approaching. G DATA is a product I currently use and am satisfied with. However, ZoneAlarm is a product I am considering trying. I especially value the opinions on options @Trident and @Shadowra could you share your thoughts on these two products mentioned in the title? I am not considering other antivirus solutions, as many products I previously liked have changed their direction in the market (e.g., Norton or F-Secure). Thank you in advance.
 
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Maschera said:
Hello, my dear MalwareTips friends. I hope the new year is going well for you. As someone who has been following this forum for a long time and working in the IT sector, my antivirus renewal dates are approaching. G DATA is a product I currently use and am satisfied with. However, ZoneAlarm is a product I am considering trying. I especially value the opinions on options @Trident and @Shadowra could you share your thoughts on these two products mentioned in the title? I am not considering other antivirus solutions, as many products I previously liked have changed their direction in the market (e.g., Norton or F-Secure). Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
I can’t speak on behalf of @Trident or @Shadowra (I’m an AI, not those members), but I can give an evidence-based comparison of G DATA vs ZoneAlarm and what typically matters when deciding between them.

High-level difference
  • G DATA is a “classic” consumer AV suite that participates in major public test series (so you can benchmark it year to year).
  • ZoneAlarm (Check Point) is positioned more like “enterprise tech simplified for consumers” (sandboxing / threat emulation / threat extraction), but it’s not commonly present in the big consumer comparison charts—so it’s harder to objectively compare protection, false positives, and performance against the usual vendors.

G DATA (why it’s a safe renewal if you’re already happy)
  • Independent test visibility: In AV-Comparatives’ Consumer Main-Test Series, G DATA shows consistently high real‑world protection rates (e.g., Real‑World Protection Tests in 2025 list G DATA in the top cluster around ~99.5% in both Feb–May 2025 and Jul–Oct 2025). ([av-comparatives.org](https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/real-world-protection-test-february-may-2025/?utm_source=openai))
  • Engines/stack: AV-Comparatives explicitly notes G DATA uses the Bitdefender engine (at least as part of its stack). ([av-comparatives.org](https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/advanced-threat-protection-test-2025-consumer/?utm_source=openai)) (G DATA has historically been “two-engine” in consumer products; some sources describe the second engine as in-house “CloseGap”. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_Data_CyberDefense?utm_source=openai)))
  • Offline/local focus + privacy posture: AV-Comparatives’ business report highlights strong offline/local protection design and the local BEAST behavior module approach (less “cloud-only dependency” than some vendors). ([av-comparatives.org](https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/business-security-test-2025-march-june/?utm_source=openai))
  • Performance expectations: In AV-Comparatives’ Performance Test (Nov 2025), G DATA’s impact score sits more “mid-pack” rather than best-in-class, which aligns with the general expectation that multi-engine / deep monitoring can cost some resources. ([av-comparatives.org](https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/performance-test-november-2025/?utm_source=openai))

ZoneAlarm (why it’s interesting, and what to be careful about)
  • It’s Check Point’s consumer brand, and the marketing focus is heavily on enterprise-style components (Threat Emulation/sandboxing, Threat Extraction/CDR-like document sanitization, cloud reputation). ([zonealarm.com](https://www.zonealarm.com/promotions/zonealarm-nextgen-cybersecurity?utm_source=openai))
  • Compatibility / “only one AV” reality: ZoneAlarm itself states it’s only compatible with Microsoft Defender (and not with other anti-malware), and requires uninstalling other AVs before install. ([zonealarm.com](https://www.zonealarm.com/promotions/zonealarm-nextgen-cybersecurity?utm_source=openai))
  • Harder to benchmark: Because ZoneAlarm isn’t typically included in AV-Comparatives / AV-TEST consumer charts, you’re relying more on vendor claims and community observations than on standardized public testing for year-to-year comparison. ([malwaretips.com](https://malwaretips.com/threads/zonealarm-antivirus-%E2%80%93-firewall-pioneer-still-solid-or-lagging-behind-the-pack.138508/post-1156113?utm_source=openai))
  • Engine transparency: Community testing/threads report various details (e.g., Sophos signatures + Check Point cloud/emulation layers), but these specifics are not always clearly/fully documented publicly by the vendor, so I would treat “exact engine composition” as not fully verifiable from public info alone. ([malwaretips.com](https://malwaretips.com/threads/zonealarm-nextgen-extreme-security-2024.132267/?utm_source=openai))

Practical recommendation (given your constraints: only these two)
  • If your priority is predictable behavior + strong public test coverage, renewing G DATA is the lower-risk choice (and it’s already meeting your needs). ([av-comparatives.org](https://www.av-comparatives.org/vendors/g-data/?utm_source=openai))
  • If your priority is trying Check Point-style tech (emulation/sandboxing, extraction/sanitization) and you accept less standardized public test data, then ZoneAlarm is reasonable to trial—but do it in a controlled way first. ([zonealarm.com](https://www.zonealarm.com/software/extreme-security-nextgen/?utm_source=openai))

Low-risk way to trial ZoneAlarm
  • Make a full system image backup first (so you can roll back cleanly if performance/compatibility isn’t acceptable).
  • Fully uninstall G DATA before installing ZoneAlarm (ZoneAlarm warns about stability/performance issues if other anti-malware is present). ([zonealarm.com](https://www.zonealarm.com/promotions/zonealarm-nextgen-cybersecurity?utm_source=openai))
  • Run ZoneAlarm for a week with your real workload (updates, Office/PDF workflows, browsing, downloads) and watch for slowdowns, false positives, and any network/app friction.

Bottom line
With the info that’s publicly verifiable today, G DATA is the more conservative “renew and forget” option, while ZoneAlarm is the more experimental option that may add valuable enterprise-style layers but is harder to objectively benchmark against the mainstream AV field.

Sources
 
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Maschera said:
Hello, my dear MalwareTips friends. I hope the new year is going well for you. As someone who has been following this forum for a long time and working in the IT sector, my antivirus renewal dates are approaching. G DATA is a product I currently use and am satisfied with. However, ZoneAlarm is a product I am considering trying. I especially value the opinions on options @Trident and @Shadowra could you share your thoughts on these two products mentioned in the title? I am not considering other antivirus solutions, as many products I previously liked have changed their direction in the market (e.g., Norton or F-Secure). Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Dont use Zonealarm, no updates for long and slowdowns on your system until you can not take it anymore and uninstall it. ( i speak from experience )
You can always try the Trial from ZoneAlarm first. But since you have GDATA why not extend this one.
 
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I tried zonealarm nextgen half year ago, nothing was changed, lags the gaming pc really bad, i liked it on mobile (android) thought. G-data just works out of box, and you have used it inn the past, i would go with g-data still.
 
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Maschera said:
Hello, my dear MalwareTips friends. I hope the new year is going well for you. As someone who has been following this forum for a long time and working in the IT sector, my antivirus renewal dates are approaching. G DATA is a product I currently use and am satisfied with. However, ZoneAlarm is a product I am considering trying. I especially value the opinions on options @Trident and @Shadowra could you share your thoughts on these two products mentioned in the title? I am not considering other antivirus solutions, as many products I previously liked have changed their direction in the market (e.g., Norton or F-Secure). Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
At this moment of time, I am unable to recommend neither ZoneAlarm, nor GData.

ZoneAlarm was actually optimised a lot and a lot of issues were fixed, many of them due to my reporting and calls with their teams.

Protection is top notch, currently only ZoneAlarm will offer you CDR, emulation, deep documents inspection and so on.
If protection is all you want, then ZA is perfect.

When it comes to user experience, you quickly start to notice it is lacking. From inconsistencies in the now rather weird UI (lately as I am working on my own projects I am obsessed with UX), no proper account/device management, no way to see registered/activated devices, no frequent updates, the message for detected threats is a full blown player-size window, just to display “Virus Attack Blocked. View details”.

ZoneAlarm is in a need of a very strong hand, top-notch industrial engines have been bundled with mediocre and inferior dressing.

That being said, I am unable to recommend GData either, as it is a very similar case of leading engines (third-party and proprietary) with atrocious UX, terrible website, poor documentation and so on.

If you tell us what’s important for you really, we can offer better recommendations.
 
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Jonny Quest said:
@Trident would WD hardening, with DefenderUI, ConfigureDefender or Defender Hardening/AiDefender something to be considered?
Click to expand...
I think that it is. I didn’t start the project late december when it was published, it’s been more than 6-7 months now working on this projects the results that I see are great.

Plus with Defender Hardening Console you have a second opinion scanner and firewall module built in, and one click rule application based on your usage.
 
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Trident said:
I think that it is. I didn’t start the project late December when it was published, it’s been more than 6-7 months now working on this projects the results that I see are great.

Plus with Defender Hardening Console you have a second opinion scanner and firewall module built in, and one click rule application based on your usage.
Click to expand...


Trident of the options listed to harden Defender that you replied to in the quote above, and if there are more options, not listed. What options can be used right out of the box without having to change settings, or possible super easy settings, to make defender on par with the top players, like Kaspersky, Eset, Bitdefender, and Norton.

The reason I ask, is there are several testers out there, showing how defender fails, when some of the top tier products don't. Granted this is a failure of the plain Vanilla Defender.

So if there is something you think is very easy to setup, that hardens Defender, I would be very interested in your input, along with other here who happen to have suitable knowledge and experience.

Thank You
 
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annaegorov said:
Trident of the options listed to harden Defender that you replied to in the quote above, and if there are more options, not listed. What options can be used right out of the box without having to change settings, or possible super easy settings, to make defender on par with the top players, like Kaspersky, Eset, Bitdefender, and Norton.

The reason I ask, is there are several testers out there, showing how defender fails, when some of the top tier products don't. Granted this is a failure of the plain Vanilla Defender.

So if there is something you think is very easy to setup, that hardens Defender, I would be very interested in your input, along with other here who happen to have suitable knowledge and experience.

Thank You
Click to expand...
But you know that my software is exactly for that, right?

It detects your usage and hardens Defender for you with one click.

It needs VS C++ 14 redistributable.

www.hea-p.com

Defender Hardening Console | Configure Hidden Windows Defender Settings

Free tool to configure 30+ hidden Windows Defender settings. AI-powered optimization, Helios scanner.
www.hea-p.com www.hea-p.com
 
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Trident said:
But you know that my software is exactly for that, right?

It detects your usage and hardens Defender for you with one click.

It needs VS C++ 14 redistributable.

www.hea-p.com

Defender Hardening Console | Configure Hidden Windows Defender Settings

Free tool to configure 30+ hidden Windows Defender settings. AI-powered optimization, Helios scanner.
www.hea-p.com www.hea-p.com
Click to expand...
Thank You...
Maybe. I am 70 so things get lost in the shuffle sometimes...
So defender plus your "defender hardening" is what you recommend
 
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Trident said:
At this moment of time, I am unable to recommend neither ZoneAlarm, nor GData.

ZoneAlarm was actually optimised a lot and a lot of issues were fixed, many of them due to my reporting and calls with their teams.

Protection is top notch, currently only ZoneAlarm will offer you CDR, emulation, deep documents inspection and so on.
If protection is all you want, then ZA is perfect.

When it comes to user experience, you quickly start to notice it is lacking. From inconsistencies in the now rather weird UI (lately as I am working on my own projects I am obsessed with UX), no proper account/device management, no way to see registered/activated devices, no frequent updates, the message for detected threats is a full blown player-size window, just to display “Virus Attack Blocked. View details”.

ZoneAlarm is in a need of a very strong hand, top-notch industrial engines have been bundled with mediocre and inferior dressing.

That being said, I am unable to recommend GData either, as it is a very similar case of leading engines (third-party and proprietary) with atrocious UX, terrible website, poor documentation and so on.

If you tell us what’s important for you really, we can offer better recommendations.
Click to expand...
I would like to thank everyone who took the time to comment and share their opinions and experiences. Seeing so many negative comments about ZoneAlarm was somewhat disappointing, as I generally enjoy trying different solutions.

G Data is already well known, as we all know. I have always trusted German quality.

I do not have any specific expectations. My only wish is to use a high-quality antivirus solution and to be able to manage and control the system interface in a fully comprehensive manner.
 
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Maschera said:
I would like to thank everyone who took the time to comment and share their opinions and experiences. Seeing so many negative comments about ZoneAlarm was somewhat disappointing, as I generally enjoy trying different solutions.

G Data is already well known, as we all know. I have always trusted German quality.

I do not have any specific expectations. My only wish is to use a high-quality antivirus solution and to be able to manage and control the system interface in a fully comprehensive manner.
Click to expand...
If you have the time, give some of the well-know products a spin.

Try the new Mcafee
Or Eset
Or Emsisoft

Since you like G Data, I bet you're going to like Emsisoft.
 
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Divine_Barakah said:
If you have the time, give some of the well-know products a spin.

Try the new Mcafee
Or Eset
Or Emsisoft

Since you like G Data, I bet you're going to like Emsisoft.
Click to expand...
In fact, I have been using and evaluating almost all antivirus solutions for nearly 15 years. Of course, I have not tested the most recent versions of all of them, but I can generally distinguish between what is good and what is not.

In this context, no matter how capable McAfee may be, I unfortunately have a certain prejudice against it. As a company, it does not instill a sense of trust in me.

ESET is a company I genuinely like and respect; however, there is a common notion that achieving 100% efficiency requires being something of a HIPS expert, and I am not particularly interested in dealing with that level of complexity.

Emsisoft is also a solid product, but I believe I will continue with G Data. Its German quality and the security features it offers satisfy me. I only wish the interface and overall control were slightly more refined.

Once again, thank you to everyone who shared their opinions and experiences.
 
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