Top 1
ZoneAlarm Firewall
From Zone Labs:
Zone Labs, a Check Point company, is a trusted brand in Internet security. Zone Labs is a leading creator of endpoint security solutions protecting millions of PCs and the valuable, personally-identifiable information on those PCs, from hackers, spyware, and data theft. The company's award-winning endpoint security product line is deployed in global enterprises, small businesses and consumers' homes, protecting them from Internet-borne threats. Check Point Integrity is an endpoint security management platform that protects corporate data and productivity.
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Publisher's description of ZoneAlarm Firewall
ZoneAlarm is designed to protect your DSL- or cable-connected PC from hackers. This program includes four interlocking security services: a firewall, an application control, an Internet lock, and Zones. The firewall controls the door to your computer and allows only traffic you understand and initiate. The Internet lock blocks Internet traffic while your computer is unattended or while you're not using the Internet, and it can be activated automatically with your computer's screensaver or after a set period of inactivity. Zones monitor all activity on your computer and alert you when a new application attempts to access the Internet. Version 7.0.362 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
Note:ZoneAlarm is free for individual and not-for-profit charitable entity use (excluding governmental entities and educational institutions). Advanced features are available.
Editor's review of ZoneAlarm Firewall
An effective and easy-to-use firewall program, ZoneAlarm does a great job of keeping your PC safe from a variety of threats. ZoneAlarm uses a simple wizard to make configuring a firewall, which seems like a daunting task to many computer users, incredibly easy.
Maintaining and updating settings also is a snap when you're using the stylish interface and its simple slider controls. The program's Zones feature allows you to assign different security levels for a local network and for the Internet.
A great recent addition is small but quite helpful. A new "Game Mode" lets you automatically allow or deny alerts when you're in the middle of playing a video game. We found ZoneAlarm very good at recognizing and automatically including settings for our local network.
In all our tests, the firewall guarded against all external and internal threats it encountered. ZoneAlarm is an excellent firewall choice for just about any average user.
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
License: Free (Download Now)
Top 2
Comodo Firewall Pro
From Comodo:
Comodo's range of solutions gives businesses the ability to create online trust through proprietary technology that help e-businesses convert more customers, retain more customers and increase lifetime value. From providing certificates that put the trusted padlock on websites to patented technologies that lets internet users verify legitimate web content from faked content, Comodo empowers businesses and consumers to authenticate each other and protect their digital identities.
Publisher's description of Comodo Firewall Pro
Comodo Firewall Pro is aimed to secure your system against internal attacks such as Trojan viruses / malicious software and external attacks by hackers. Safeguard your personal data through a simple user friendly single click interface offering full immunity to attack. Comodo Firewall Pro helps you connect in a secure way to the internet and global networks.
Version 3.0.22.327 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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Editor's review of Comodo Firewall Pro
Comodo Firewall Pro gets a major revision from its publisher, upgrading to Version 3 with some significant changes. Most importantly, user complaints about resource hogging when Version 2 came out have been all but eradicated with the new model.
The program still provides a smorgasbord of information and options for advanced users, but it's simple enough for beginners, and runs smoothly and silently in the background. The most obvious new features include support for Windows Vista at the expense of Windows 2000 support, although the older v2.4 with Windows 2000 support is still available.
The other big change is the new interface. This new UI isn't exactly an improvement on the old one. However, the blue color scheme has been toned down in favor of basic white, and there's more empty space between the various options. Old terminology has been replaced with more intuitive terms. The new main tabs are Summary, Firewall, Defense +, and Miscellaneous. In each, though, there are links to relevant security issues so users can drill down to learn more about how the firewall is performing.
There's a new feature called the Host Intrusion Prevention System that supposedly protects against unknown threats. Obviously, it's hard to tell if it works unless an unknown threat gets in, but it didn't seem to affect system performance negatively. Mostly, Comodo rears its head most often soon after installation when Security Alerts ask about new Internet connections as the program "learns" your computer's behavior.
Don't be fooled by the name, either. Comodo is labeled Pro but it offers up its dragon-sized treasure of features for free.
Requirements: Windows XP/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
License: Free (Download Now)
Top 3
Ashampoo FireWall
From Ashampoo:
Ashampoo is one of the leading Internet-based companies worldwide in the field of software development, sales and web portal sites, with more than 4 million registered customers and over 38 million program installations.Ashampoo's innovative software products set technological standards right from the start and are known for their advanced, mature technology and user-friendliness. In addition to ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG the company now also includes ashampoo Internet Services GmbH & Co. KG, which has already made a name for itself as an operator of successful web portal sites, and ashampoo Technology GmbH & Co. KG as well as ashampoo Development GmbH & Co. KG, whose multimedia products, optical media burning technologies, tools and utilities are among the world leaders. With Ashampoo Air Services GmbH & Co. KG Ashampoo additionally operates a rising company in the field of aviation services and with Goodees Ashampoo started the first desktop-portal application for computer & lifestyle.
Publisher's description of Ashampoo FireWall
The Ashampoo FireWall makes it easy for anyone to set up an effective, free firewall. Its Configuration Assistant guides you through every step of the the setup process. Easy Mode makes using it a breeze. You dont need any special technical knowledge, and everything is explained clearly. Even with its additional security tools, Ashampoo Firewall is a tiny program that uses very little memory and computer resources. You get heavy-duty protection without a heavyweight load on your system. The Ashampoo FireWall user interface explains itself every step of the way. The information is right there on the screen where you need it so that most users will never need to consult the help files.
Version 1.2 improves multi-language support.
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Editor's review of Ashampoo FireWall
* Easy Mode / Expert Mode
* Easy: One-click firewall protection for everyone
* Expert: Activate expert functions if you need them
* Configuration Assistant guides you through the setup process
* Amazingly small and compact, uses minimum memory and computer resources
* Learning Mode identifies applications that try to phone home
* Block All panic button to stop all traffic with a single click
* Detailed logging of all connections
* Four additional network security tools included in the tiny package
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP
Limitations: No limitations
License: Free (Download Now)
Top 4
Online Armor
From Tall Emu:
Tall Emu is an IT outsourcing company located in Sydney, Australia that provides technical support to small and medium businesses. Founded in 2002, Tall Emu provides full service IT support, programming, and Web development services to the SME sector.
Publisher's description of Online Armor
Online Armor Personal Firewall--the first free firewall to pass 100% of leak tests out of the box. Online Armor is a powerful personal firewall, with HIPS and a host of other security features to keep your PC clear of infections and running smoothly. Online Armor is designed to be easy to use for beginners and offers powerful performance.
Version 2.1.0.130 indicates programs running in "Safer" mode by adding a green border.
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Editor's review of Online Armor
Online Armor FREE is our powerful windows firewall - the only FREE firewall to offer 100% leak protection out of the box! It's easy to use, powerful - and completely free. Online Armor is straightforward, and simple to use.
Online Armor includes powerful "HIPS" functions, which give you the ability to stop all unrecognised programs from running on your computer unless you say so, making it possible to protect yourself against these new attacks. Of course, programs Online Armor knows are safe will be allowed to run, no problem.
This is different to a pure Antivirus program - these let any program run, unless they know it is a virus. This means that it must have that that exact threat in its database before it can do anything about it. Your antivirus will completely ignore programs it does not recognise - which unfortunately includes new viruses.
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server
Limitations: No limitations
License: Free (Download Now)
Top 5
PC Tools Firewall Plus
From PC Tools:
PC Tools is a global leader in innovative software products designed to protect the privacy and security of Windows computer users. PC Tools publishes software and provides technical resources for securing, protecting, and maintaining the Windows operating system. PC Tools products are available right throughout the world, to over 196 countries with offices in the US and Australia as well as a presence in Europe. Products and customer service are offered in multiple languages.
Publisher's description of PC Tools Firewall Plus
PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition is a powerful personal free firewall for Microsoft Windows that protects your computer from hackers and intruders. Firewalls control the network traffic in and out of your PC by monitoring applications that connect to the network. Firewall Plus can stop Trojans, backdoors, and keyloggers from damaging your computer and stealing your private information. PC Tools Firewall Plus is advanced technology designed specially for people, not experts. Powerful prevention against attacks and known exploits is activated by default and advanced users can also easily create their own packet filtering rules to customize the network defenses. The program is recommended for use alongside of AntiSpyware and Antivirus software like AVG or Spyware Doctor to protect PC against Spyware, hackers, worms, and viruses.
Version 3.0.0.36 adds new smart Application Rules, Stealth Mode protection, and data validation using SPI.
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Editor's review of PC Tools Firewall Plus
* Protects your PC as you are working, surfing and playing.
* Intelligent automatic protection without all the questions.
* Easy to use. Designed for both, novice and expert users.
* Advanced rules to protect your PC against common attacks.
* Best of all it’s FREE. No catches, limitations or time-limits.
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
License: Free (Download Now)
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