ZeroKnowledge Ends Linux Versions of Freedom Internet Privacy Suite

Jun 15, 2001, 14:57 (39 Talkback[s])

ZeroKnowledge, producers of the Freedom Internet Privacy Suite, a package of software that provided a personal firewall, blocked cookies and banner ads, locally stored and encrypted website login information, and scanned outgoing data to ensure personal information wasn't being sent out against a user's wishes, has announced that they're discontinuing Linux support due to low interest in their Linux offerings and a "strong customer preference" for Windows.

It also appears (though company spokesmen didn't answer definitively as we prepared this for posting) that the change in availability may also signal a move away from the open source availability of the product.

From the company's release notes on Freedom 2.2:

"Due to strong customer preference for the Windows platform, there will be no further releases of Freedom for Linux. Current Linux Standard Features users can continue using the latest version available for Linux (2.1) for free for a limited time. During this period, we encourage you to purchase the Freedom Internet Privacy Suite Standard Features or Premium Services for a supported platform if you wish to continue using Freedom in the future.

Freedom is no longer available freely for re-download. In addition, Linux users can no longer purchase Freedom. As a result, you will be unable to use Freedom unless you upgrade your operating system to Windows 98, 2000, or ME. We apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause.

Freedom is no longer available for free. Your order confirmation number will be required to access the re-download page. Additionally, Freedom for Linux can no longer be purchased from our web site. Users that previously used the free Linux version will need to purchase Freedom and upgrade their operating system to Windows 98, 2000, or ME should they need to re-download the installer. We apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause."

An open source, Java-based project (which also considers Linux support "an added bonus") called CryptoBox is attempting a similar offering. NewsForge has a writeup on CryptoBox.

Related Stories:

• LinuxPlanet: .comment: My Semi-Annual Security Rant(Jun 06, 2001)
• LinuxPlanet: Freedom 2.0 for Linux: Masking User Identities(Jan 12, 2001)
• Enterprise Linux Today: Making Money with Open Source: eGrail and Zero-Knowledge(Dec 20, 2000)
• LinuxPR: Zero-Knowledge Brings Strong, Transparent Privacy To Linux With New Linux Freedom 2.0 Internet Privacy Suite(Dec 13, 2000)
• Montreal Gazette: Sharing crown jewels; Zero-Knowledge releasing source code for Freedom software(Oct 25, 2000)
• ZDNet UK: Freedom browser for Linux due November(Sep 26, 2000)
• ZDNet UK: Anonymous browser ['Freedom'] reveals its code(Jul 27, 2000)