NOTE: Our earlier version of this post had some inaccuracies, so this is a re-post. Our apologies for any confusion.
Ever wanted a real Check Point enterprise class firewall protecting your home network?
We are pleased to announce our new Z100G ZoneAlarm Wireless Router:
This device is a real machine — especially compared with some of the other wireless routers passing as firewalls out there today:
- Concurrent Firewall Connections: 4,000
- Gateway Antivirus
- Secure Remote Access to Home PCs
- 2 USB ports
- Check Point SecuRemote™ VPN client
- Print Server
- Real-deal logging and reporting
- VStream Gateway Antivirus – real-time scanning
- Check Point Patented Stateful Inspection Firewall
- Bandwidth Reporting
- Monthly Security Report
Consumers can get the same award winning ease-of-use and protection they expect from ZoneAlarm in a full strength package strong enough for Enterprise networks.
Take a look at the other coverage:
- Press release: Check Point unveils ZoneAlarm Secure Wireless Router
- ZDNet: Check Point debuts wireless-security router for the home
- CrunchGear: ZoneAlarm Secure Wireless Router Z100G: It’s The Software That Makes It Good
- PC Magazine: ZoneAlarm Launches Wireless Router
- TechWhack: ZoneAlarm now selling Secure Wireless Z100G router
Here’s a slide that explains some of the key features (I’ll try to post some screenshots later):
11/08 UPDATE:
This screenshot shows the logging and reporting tool showing blocked traffic. Note the VStream entry — it shows malware being blocked as it passes through the gateway (on-the-fly scanning), protecting the systems behind it from attack.
Here is a screenshot of the traffic monitor. It can also help diagnose DDoS attacks or home bandwidth hogs.
Cool!
The state of consumer security
I had the pleasure, and I mean pleasure, of recently rebuilding two of my home PCs running Windows XP because of performance degradation and other issues. I ended up doing a clean wipe of the hard drives and reinstalling Windows
great product
http://www.beyondvc.com/2006/11/the_state_of_co.html
Hi Jon (jono2u) – sounds just the ticket to get rid of all my PC based A/V clients and replace aging router…
Some questions if you please…
- Is it available in the UK?
- Can it block/detect POP3 email attachments? None of the info on it mention this.
- Can it replace PC based A/V clients completely? If not, what risks would it leave exposed to if it were the only A/V defense?
- Can it be used as a web based (i.e. a feature of it’s own web based interface) A/V tool for scanning individual PCs (like TrendMicro’s Housecall)
Cheers
Pete
Pete:
Here’s some info about the VStream technology, I’m gathering info on your other questions and will post more info once I get it all together.
http://www.sofaware.com/general.aspx?boneID=148&nsId=142&objId=195
Lightweight Streaming
Traditional proxy-based antivirus solutions must download the entire file into intermediate storage before virus scanning can begin. This means high latency, limited support for large files, and poor scalability to large numbers of concurrent connections.
Instead of relying on intermediate storage, VStream Antivirus technology enables stateful scanning of files on the fly. This means minimal added latency and support for unlimited file sizes. By taking great care to store only minimal state information per connection, VStream Antivirus can scan thousands of concurrent connections.
Comprehensive Protocol Support
VStream offers comprehensive protocol support, including HTTP, FTP, POP3, SMTP, and IMAP, as well as arbitrary, user-defined TCP and UDP ports.
Granular Scanning Policy
A customizable scanning policy allows specifying with very fine granularity exactly which connections should be scanned for viruses.
On-the-fly Decompression
VStream supports on-the-fly, real-time decompression and scanning of ZIP, TAR, and GZ archive files. Archive files can be scanned with no file size limitation and with support for nested archive files.
Hi Jon,
I have a Netgear NAS on my network. Will the Z100G interfere with that device?
I’ve got a few questions.
I’m trying to understand the 5 node restriction. I’ve got 6 or 7 different devices which includes some appliance type devices that only connect over night. Does the restriction mean 5 concurrent connections in which I can have as many nodes as I want but only have 5 machines at time talking on the Internet or 5 TOTAL node licenses in which I would have to buy the additional support?
Please post the price for upgrading the 5 node restriction and the other services.
Are these recurring costs?
@Ivan:
The device should have no problem with the NAS. I assume the NAS either uses HTTP or MS File sharing to allow access to the files stored on the NAS. If so, all will work fine. If you have to install some proprietary client software to access the files (not using normal MS file sharing), then you can just watch the blocked packet firewall logs and allow whatever ports are required by the client software (the NAS probably says what ports it needs open in the tech documentation).
@Hampton:
I’m getting more details for you about the 5 user specification. I don’t believe it has anything to do with the number of devices behind the Z100G (we know our customers have a lot — hence all the RAM in the Z100G) or people on the net at the same time, but I’ll get specifics for you shortly.
If you have a laptop on your home network with Z100G, will it still be protected when you are on the road and connect to wi-fi hotspots?
Possible design would be to create a home “DMZ” with the Z100G on the outside and your existing firewall on the inside. Then put your “external” devices on the outside, such as mail or web servers. With this desing the “5 node” limit should no longer be a factor.
I just have a question about this router logging capabilities. I have 4 PCs connected through the router. Will I be able to track and log web sites (IP addresses) visited from those computers? If yes, for how long the history is preserved? Will I be able to look at the log and see who visited what 2 weeks ago, for example?
Also, where the log is being stored and how it is accessed?
Thanks!
What is the difference between this unit (Z100G) and the Check Point Safe@Office 500W other than the 500W is yellow and appears to be limited to 5 users ? and costs twice as much ?
Does the unit include a subscription period for AV and detection ? (e.g. 90 days, 1 yr, etc)
How much does it cost to renew for 1 year ?
Bought the Z100G. Works right out of the box. Then, it updates the Firmware and AV database, and I can’t surf the Internet. Ping from DOS works to any domain I try (e.g. yahoo.com, excite.com) but I can’t browse via IE or Firefox.
Chatted with the Israel-based Tech support three times. They called via phone and we worked for over an hour. It’s still broken after going through three firmware versions.
How does one get their money back? The Z100G is a very expensive dust collector/paperweight!
[While previewing this post. it appears as if my e-mail address will be available to anyone reading this. Therefore, I have opted to use a bogus email address. Sorry, I don't like Spam!!!]
A few things about this device. You can’t use snmp with it and it has no syslog. Also the virus scanning does slow down your bandwidth. Tech support is only open during regular business hours.
The cost is $70.00 per year for the subscription which is a bit pricy as well. Overall, I don’t like the device and prefer my cheaper Linksys which has 8 ports, syslog, snmp, 24/7 tech support, etc.
I’ve tried to contact (email/forum/phone) ZA & Sofa to get info on the USB printer ports of the Z100G – they won’t tell me what WE need to know and their advertising skillfully doesn not cover the printer port details.
The Z100G USB ports – are they “bi-directional” allowing us to use our all-in-one home printer-scanner-copier-fax machines (Brother 5100C)?
Or if we use this Z100G netwrok ports do we loose our scanner/feedback functions – iif it it will work at all with the Brother printer support software?
Good luck with the USB ports. I could only get one of the two ports (I have 3 printers, Epson) to work. They worked with me but apparently the fix will be released in a future firmware update. I’ve also had numerous other problems and have returned (again) to my Linksys router. Cannot trust this Z100 yet, too many issues and difficulties configuring. I don’t have the luxury of time to remain on the chat with their support team.
Hey I have an easy question for anyone who has bought this…
How many watts does it consume. max?
It should be on the router, where power comes in (a UL sticker)
or on the transformer plug that connects to the box. It would
read something like:
Input: 120VAC 60Hz 14W
where the 14W could be 10W or 30W or whatever…
Thanks for for any help on this one! I am asking for a
limited power situation.
Thanks!
I would suggest removing this quote:
“Here is a screenshot of the traffic monitor — using this you can determine what type of traffic shaping you’d like to use — either to speed up games or VOIP, etc. It can also help diagnose DDoS attacks or home bandwidth hogs.”
This router supports zero traffic shaping. I purchased it because I had seen information like this on your site.