Check Point has released a beta of yet another sandbox for your Internet browser. Called ZoneAlarm ForceField, the idea is simple: What happens in Firefox, stays in Firefox. Or Internet Explorer, for that matter.
Any downloads or collateral material you collect during your browsing experience is destroyed once you close the browser. If beta testing goes well, Check Point plans to release ZoneAlarm ForceField in the first quarter of 2008 as a retail product.
What's cool about this product is its small footprint and easy deployment. You can even take it on the road. At any public terminal, simply download a tiny applet and enjoy the same protection on a public terminal as you do at home. When your browsing session is over, simply restart the browser (without ZoneAlarm ForceField) for the next user. Best of all, your previous session won't be stored in the public browser's history file.
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.
Feature summary:
Virtualized surfing – Creates a “bubble of security” around your browsing session that works two ways: it protects your PC from Web site threats such as drive-by downloads; and protects your browsing session from threats on your PC
Seamless use – surf as you always do without any special knowledge required and no interruptions
Keylogger jamming – protects your browsing, banking and shopping by disabling keyloggers/screengrabbers that may reside on your PC
Anti-spyware scanning during your browsing session to protect you as you bank and shop
Phishing and fraudulent Web site warning and protection
Dangerous download scanning and protection
Private browsing to completely erase your surfing tracks from your PC (not yet in the beta)
Svelte proportions – ForceField can be deployed to any PC within about 30 seconds in its Instant ForceField™ form (not available in current beta), making it convenient for on-the-go use on shared public computers.
Further details about ZoneAlarm ForceField will be announced at the DemoFall 2007 conference.
