Software Firewall

In computer language, firewall refers to a security measure that is set up to authorize who can and cannot access your network or computer. It is necessary in order to keep viruses off of your system. These firewalls can be established as hardware or as software.

The name “firewall” was originally used in reference to a certain type of wall. Firewalls are walls in a building built to prevent a fire from spreading to other areas. This is a parallel to firewalls built to prevent viruses from spreading throughout a network or computer.

A software firewall is something downloaded and installed on each individual computer. It determines what is and is not allowed to enter your computer. Software firewalls are effective, but should not serve as your only security.

You are allowed to change the settings on your software firewall. Because of this, your firewall may be more lenient on what it allows in. However, you may also increase the security on your firewall which can be a benefit for certain circumstances.

A hardware firewall is built into a physical object that protects your whole network. These are very important even if you already have a software firewall. You don't want to leave your software firewall to defend itself against the entire internet. It is especially needed for a network with multiple systems attached or an intranet.

Hardware firewalls can be compared to a locked building while the software firewalls serves as a locked safe. While a safe can protect your money, you don't want to leave your door unlocked. Both protections are needed to ensure your computers remain safe.

The most common form of hardware firewalls are known as router firewalls. Router firewalls are built into wireless routers to protect your personal network. They are fairly easy to set up, but you should learn more about them to make sure they are working properly.

A computer can be a great asset to your life, but will need proper protection if connected to the internet. Firewalls are there to serve as a barrier between your computer and the rest of the world. Both hardware and software firewalls are needed so you can be sure your computer is secure.

Online Armor Free

OnlineArmor ++ is one of the most comprehensive software firewalls on the market today. The free version is missing some of the more interesting options, but still provides some great features you won’t find anywhere else.

Like all software firewalls, Online Armor Free controls the flow of information into and out of your computer. This can cut malicious programs off from their programmers and payloads on the internet, protecting you and your system from many different types of threats. It also keeps hackers out of your system and performs other standard tasks. Where Online Armor Free really delivers, though, is in extra features you might not have known you need.

The hosts checker helps prevent programs from redirecting your browser to dangerous websites, while the autorun manager can help catch viruses and spyware when they activate. Spyware removal allows you to prune your system of any unwanted tag along programs you may accidentally download, and the keylogger detection software protects against one of the most dangerous online security threats. Keylogging software has the ability to record login and password information you enter anywhere online and could result in online fraud and identity theft, but many users aren’t

even aware that they’re at risk. Best of all, though, is the tamper protection feature. Modern viruses and malware often work to damage or disable your anti-virus and firewall software, or hide their own code within trusted files in your system. Tamper protection keeps Online Armor up and running and can protect other files on your system as well.

The paid options add some important features you may not want to run without, such as special online banking protection, automatic updates and support. Compared to other free firewall options, though, Online Armor Free still delivers more than you might expect.

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PC Tools Firewall

PC Tools Firewall Plus is a good intermediate choice for intermediate users. It has all the standard things that you need from a firewall, including hiding your computer from hackers and controlling incoming and outgoing web traffic.

This firewall expects users to understand the basics of different kinds of internet traffic, so if terms like TCP and UDP make your head spin you may wind up a little frustrated with the interface. It’s not designed to be your only protection against online threats, so you’ll still need separate anti-virus or anti-spyware software to defend against malicious programs.

PC Tools does a good job of balancing the need to consult with the user and not popping up a window every five seconds. It also will leave you alone while you’re playing full screen games. It’s not the kind of bulletproof protection that security fanatics are looking for, and it’s not quite simple enough for people who are still struggling with their computers, but for the majority of users PC Tools offers a good compromise between safety and simplicity.

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Ashampoo FireWall screenshot

Ashampoo offers an excellent, lightweight firewall for casual computer users. The interface is widely considered to be one of the easiest to navigate for those of us who don’t have degrees in computer science and it doesn’t chew up much of your system resources. The installation process is guided by a configuration assistant that keeps everything nice and simple, and easy mode makes using it even simpler.

The protection it offers isn’t half bad, either. By identifying and blocking unauthorized programs from accessing the internet, Ashampoo FireWall can protect against many different kinds of threats. Most importantly, it can keep your computer from becoming a sleeper agent for a criminal network. Becoming a part of one of these “botnets” is the greatest threat your system faces on the internet today, and many firewalls still do not address the issue.

The bad news (there’s always bad news) is that Ashampoo FireWall is not as comprehensive a firewall as some other free options out there. While many casual or novice computer users may never notice the difference, users who are security minded will find gaps in the coverage. If you’re securing sensitive information for businesses or engage in activities online that are likely to make you a target this may not be the solution for you. For people who only need basic coverage and don’t want to deal with any hassles, Ashampoo FireWall Free may be the answer.

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Comodo Free Firewall

A comprehensive and effective firewall system, Comodo rises to the top in the crowded field of free firewall software. Unfortunately for casual users, the installation and daily use of Comodo in the first couple weeks can be complicated and frustrating.

The default installation settings have a few unfortunate side effects, including swapping out your home page on your web browser and installing a toolbar. As long as you’re paying attention during the install process, though, you can uncheck these boxes. While running the Comodo Firewall, you will see popups from the program whenever something wants access to the internet. While this is critical to the function of any firewall, it can be very annoying. Over time the number of pop ups will decrease, as your answers about specific programs are saved.

While that may seem a little daunting, the payoff for all that initial investment is well worth it. Comodo consistently outperforms other free firewalls and even some paid firewall software. Hackers, trojans, malware and more regular threats to your system are blocked roughly 95% of the time (compared to the 15% range for free firewalls and 65%-75% for paid firewalls). And that’s the most important statistic of all

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ZoneAlarm 8.0 Free Firewall

The free version of ZoneAlarm 8.0 provides everything you would expect from a free firewall, and not a whole lot else. It does a good job of controlling program access to the internet and protecting your system from direct attacks. By stealthing all ports, ZoneAlarm also reduces the likelihood of your computer being compromised.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t protect against more nuanced attacks and exploits. Programs that hide their online traffic within allowed programs escape even the paid version of ZoneAlarm much of the time. The Spy Blocker toolbar may do more harm than good, as it claims to block sites with malware and spyware but failed to catch as many as two thirds of known malware sites in testing.

For what it is, ZoneAlarm 8.0 does a good job of keeping your computer safe online. Causal hackers and a significant percentage of spyware and malware will be stopped in their tracks by several layers of protection. And with a price like free, it’s hard to complain.

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