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What Is The Best Firewall?

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By compu-smart

Firewall reviews.

The best Firewall.
The best Firewall.

What is a firewall?

A firewall is a program-software that runs on your PC computer and automatically checks all network traffic that passes through it, depending on it's inspections it will either allow the data through or deny it and to regulate the flow of traffic between computers.

"Internal networks" are one type of network, like the "intranet" or "perimeter network" which is a private computer network that still uses Internet protocols and connectivity to share information with its employees and is in the low risk category is usually protected by a firewall using a "gateway" which is a network node which interfaces with another network with different protocols..

Then you have the "Internet" which, as we all know is not a safe place to play around and is in the high risk category. This is a public accessible series of computers all connected together via networks transmitting data via the millions of business and domestic networks transmitting information and all kinds of services from Emails, file transfer, online chat, and every-page of the World Wide Web.

Every year new firewall software programs are on the market, but only a few are worth paying for and most of the best ones are available for free. The Vista and XP Service Pack 2 operating systems have built personal firewalls. Leave this feature turned on until you may need to replace it with these third party software and/or hardware. Here's my top pick of the best free and best payed for versions.


Comodo Firewall.

comodo free firewall.
comodo free firewall.

Best Free Firewall.

Comodo's firewall

is an excellent free Firewall. Easy to use. I have tested it on various machines and it performs extremely well and very easy to use with basic and advanced settings. You have lots more control with the advanced settings to find out about IP address and ports.

It will constantly monitor your PC, and protect you against any internet attack by monitoring and analyzes every activity on the web. It also provides free proactive technical

System Requirements.

Free Firewall for Windows XP (SP2) - 32 bit version: Windows XP - 64 bit version: Windows Vista - 32 and 64 bit versions :64 Mb RAM. 55 MB. hard disk space for 32-bit versions and 75 MB for 64-bit versions


ZoneAlarm.

ZoneAlarm free Firewall.
ZoneAlarm free Firewall.

2nd Best Free Firewall.

ZoneAlarm

firewall protection is simple to install and gets you up and running in no time. It is a powerful firewall program that protects your PC from hackers, blocking spyware and adware and keeping your privacy secure! This program is ideal for amateurs or pros alike and works very well keeping your computer data safe.

This new version of ZoneAlarm Pro has a great identity theft protection, spysite blocking & game mode features and even greater control over the programs your running. Good and very easy to use.

System Requirements.

Free Firewall for Windows operating systems (Windows 98SE/ME/2000 Pro/XP) Vista.

ZoneAlarm non-Free Version here.


Online Armor

Firewall program.
Firewall program.

3rd Best free Firewall

Online Armor Personal Firewall 

This program will protect your system against the usual forms of attacks..You are notified and alerted to prevent any suspicious programs from running including Homepage hijacks! Online Armor is a simple to use and control all programs that are allowed to run. This program can identify programs such as MS Office and will automatically run. Very useful. Any programs deemed to be dangerous programs will alert you with a red warning. You certainly don't need to be a PC expert to use this..

System requirements:

Windows NT/2000/XP. 


Agnitum Outpost Firewall

Agnitum OutPost Firewall program.
Agnitum OutPost Firewall program.

Best paid for Firewall.

Agnitum Outpost

is an excellent firewall, and In their words has "Bulletproof self-defense" which i won't argue with! Outpost has all the usual online protection against threats and is a great all around firewall. The best thing about this program is the free live support (only available during business hours) which is a bonus compared to the free versions. It also has an integrated anti-spyware module.

You can Download a free full-function 30-days trial version!

System Requirements.

Windows Vista, 2000, XP, Server 2003. Pentium 450 or faster. 50MB HardDisk space. Memory: 128 MB (for Windows Vista/2000/XP/ Server 2003.



Is Microsoft Firewall Secure?

People are still using Microsoft's Firewall without any problems, but others do not trust Microsoft due to the known vulnerabilities and attacks microsoft has to contend with, which is the reason why people are choosing 3rd party firewalls which have better features, more security and options to customize IP address and more.

If you're running Windows XP Service Pack 2, the Windows Firewall is turned on by default. Some computer manufacturers and administrators may have turned it off so double check you are protected..

To open Windows Firewall, click "start" "control panel" In the control panel, click on Windows Security Center then "Windows Firewall". For more information about windows firewall, read this article by hubber hnyaji

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Which Firewall Do You Like?

  • ZoneAlarm
  • Online Armor
  • Agnitum Outpost
  • Windows
  • Other
See results without voting

Comments

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cgull8m profile image

cgull8m  says:
2 years ago

Great Hub, I will check out the Comodo program. I use Zone Alarm, but I am planning to switch because it is only an Yearly subscription. It gives me too many alerts, and doesn't go away, so I am trying to switch. I plan to go Kaspersy, I heard it is a good and comprehensive one. Macs don't have any of the virus problems like Windows, they are lucky.

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
2 years ago

Great advice to switch!! There is nothing more appealing than non intrusive software that works without popping up all over the place with warnings left right and centre!!

Kaspersky is still good and even other programs like Sygate Firewall all do the job for basic Firewall use..

They say once you go mac there's no turning back!!I won't argue!!

prems4u profile image

prems4u  says:
2 years ago

According to me microsoft is not secure...so turn into linux or unix.

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
2 years ago

prems4U.

According to most people this is true...Linux systems do have a good reputation for protection but i would still have a Firewall for extra security..Some Linux versions have built-in Firewalls, but you might want to add a little insurance.. ClamAV is a very good Firewall (so ive heard) and is available for Windows & Mac.

Froggy213 profile image

Froggy213  says:
2 years ago

Thx for the info compu-smart

misshardy profile image

misshardy  says:
18 months ago

Good info. I am always looking for great free AV softwares on the internet. I will certainly try the Comodo. I currently have the AVG free edition and I'm not really happy with it.

Thanks again!

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
18 months ago

Froggy

misshardy,

I too love free stuff;) \thanks for your comments...

Amy_Roberts  says:
18 months ago

great advice, i have not heard of comodo before, ill have to check it out :D thanks

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
18 months ago

Amy_Roberts...your welcome..You will find it very easy to use:)

NateRider profile image

NateRider  says:
18 months ago

I was looking for a firewall recently as well. Most of the programs I've used have either been useless, a pain-in-the-neck, or even both! I will take your advice and I'll look into Comodo or one of the other programs you mentioned.

Great hub!

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
18 months ago

Hi NateRider...The choice is yours and you will find these programs very simple to use.

thanx 4 stoppin by:)

George Paul  says:
16 months ago

Comodo and online armour are the best

rancidTaste profile image

rancidTaste  says:
13 months ago

Comodo it the best

cyborg profile image

cyborg  says:
10 months ago

Can u suggest a free firewall software for Vista ?

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
9 months ago

cyborh..apologies for the delay in replying! %"@ happens right! anyway, ) anyone of the above would be suitable for Vista..

Im using Comodo at present with Vista and it works!;)

hnyaji profile image

hnyaji  says:
6 months ago

Hi

you could have elaborated the following further.

Is Microsoft Firewall Secure?

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
6 months ago

Thanks hnyaji! for writing an article about "Is Microsoft Firewall Secure?" which I have added above.

Thanks!!;)

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