Spyware blocker is another new software category that's growing in importance as people seek to avoid unknowingly downloading programs that harvest information about them or their computers. Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm Pro gets the nod for Best Spyware Blocker by being "easy to configure and, so far, faultless."
Another reader said, "ZoneAlarm Pro is the best firewall out there," and it does rank second in the Best Firewall competition. ZoneAlarm Pro prevents your personal data from leaving your computer without your approval; automatically stops pop-up ads; prevents incoming adware from being installed on your PC, yet allows cookies from trusted sites; scans your hard disk for unwanted adware cookies and deletes them with one click; and blocks access attempts, identifies the perpetrators, and lets you report them to ISPs.