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Firewalls

A firewall typically monitors both incoming and outgoing internet and network traffic, many firewalls also monitor running programs and program components. Without a firewall the ports on your computer are visible and accessible, akin to leaving doors wide open; without program monitoring, rogue applications may run unnoticed.

Firewalls vary in scope of protection, technical sophistication, and resource usage; general ease of use including how alerts are handled is also a significant factor; firewalls are available stand-alone or as a key component of a security suite.

Good luck and good computing.

Zone Alarm - easy to use, quality free firewall.

Zone Alarm Security Suite (Free Trial) - setup wizard is straightforward and guides to an easy configuration for Firewall, Anti-Virus, and Anti-Spam (Anti-Spam setup was instant on our computer). The equally easy GUI provides quick access to module status, blocked intrusion statistics and additional tools including a handy Cache Cleaner.

INFORMATION: Zone Alarm Install Uninstall Problem

GhostWall - low resource usage, last 50 blocked statistics, block all panic button, aesthetically utilitarian GUI

Kerio Personal Firewall  - now a Sunbelt Software product, free and full versions available

Comodo  - slick interface, free forever firewall is part of the Comodo security initiative, Comodo provides Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) authentication to businesses as their main line of commerce

Outpost Firewall Free  - basic firewall protection includes application filtering

Outpost Pro Security Suite (Free Trial) - from Agnitum, well known for it's firewall, now offers a Security Suite, integrated AV is based on the Hungarian company VirusBuster Anti-Virus

Panda Platinum (Free Trial) - quality suite, 90 day trial for Microsoft customers.  Protection against Viruses, Trojans, Spyware, Spam, Phishing. Firewall stealths all ports. Includes Intrusion Protection (TruPrevent) to guard against unknown threats and Zero-Day attacks. Does its job while letting your system run quick and light.

Jetico Personal Firewall

PC Tools Firewall Plus

SoftPerfect Personal Firewall

Filseclab Firewall

Look 'n' Stop

Sygate Personal Firewall - the Sygate Personal Firewall, a perennial favorite, exists now only as a last freeware version (Sygate was purchased by Symantec)

McAfee Firewall (Free Trial)

F-Secure (Free Trial) - known for their rootkit detection technology, now incorporated into the full security suite

CA Security Suite (Free Trial) - Computer Associates security suite

Tiny Personal Firewall - last freeware version

Windows Live OneCare - Microsoft 90-day trial, PC security and performance tools

INFORMATION: Firewall Tests - battery of firewall tests

INFORMATION: Microsoft Windows Firewall - info on the use of the Microsoft Windows Firewall available as part of SP