Best Reviewed
Firewalls
- Best firewall Comodo Internet Security *Est. $0
- Best security suite/firewall combination Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 *Est. $80
- Best Mac firewall Little Snitch *Est. $30
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- Free
- Basic and advanced configurations
- Automatic updates
- Not as good a paid firewall
- Learning curve for advanced configuration
- No free technical support
Reviews say Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 is the best free firewall software because there's a choice of basic and advanced settings. Free software like this protects your computer from hacker invasions, but you'll need to invest some sweat equity to get the most out of it. Comodo's basic configuration isn't hard to use, reviews say. The advanced options will give you more protection, but you'll need some technical savvy to properly configure it. Even techies writing for other techies say there's a learning curve on the advanced configuration. However, the Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 receives updates automatically while some other free firewalls require manual intervention and thus even more effort by users.
Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 isn't flawless in leak tests -- it allows some threats in -- but it fares better than some fee-based firewalls. One professional review finds that it flags some innocent programs along with the bad. Some user reviews report that the software installation caused their computers to slow down or crash. Calling technical support when this happens is out of the question because free firewalls don't come with free tech support.
We found the best ratings at Matousec.com, which rigorously tests firewalls for leaks and ranks the results. Scot's Newsletter Blog fleshes out the Matousec.com ratings by being more user-conscious in its approach. PCMag.com analyzes many computer-security products after subjecting them to rigorous testing, and awards an Editors' Choice designation to the Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.
Our Sources
1. Matousec.com
Matousec.com tests firewall programs for leaks and, importantly, frequently updates its reporting. Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 earns the third-highest score among free downloads in its "Firewall Challenge" comparison and is one of just five firewalls rated as "excellent."
Review: Firewall Challenge, David Matousek
Scot Finnie, editor of ComputerWorld, publishes this blog and allows comments from his knowledgeable readership. Although this article is helpful, it's also worth perusing his related firewall content for important updates. The free Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 places second behind Online Armor 2.1; Finnie says it's extremely effective, but there's a learning curve.
Review: The Best Firewall Software of 2008: Online Armor, Scot Finnie, Mar. 2008
PCMag.com performs both hands-on and laboratory testing of many firewalls and gives Comodo Firewall Pro an Editors' Choice award. The only negative aspect that's reported is Comodo's tendency to flag innocent programs.
Review: Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0, Neil J. Rubenking, Dec. 18, 2007
4. WebUser
British computer magazine Web User generally gives higher scores to free software, and Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 gets perfect five-star ratings in all categories except ease of use. Reviewer Andy Shaw calls it the "best free coverage" if you're willing to spend time learning the ropes.
Review: Comodo Personal Firewall v3, Andy Shaw, July 5, 2007
FileForum.com members offer brief user reviews, but average product ratings are compiled from all versions of the software. Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 earns high average scores, but some vocal detractors report that the software caused their computers to either slow down or crash.
Review: Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.25.378, Contributors to FileForum.com
Writer Preston Gralla explains why supplementing Windows' included firewall is a good idea, and Comodo is recommended. No test procedures are detailed, but he applauds its feature set. He also explains that to achieve optimum performance, you'll "spend a bit of time training it."
Review: 15 Great, Free Privacy Downloads, Preston Gralla, Aug. 6, 2008
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Norton Internet Security 2011 - 1 User/3 PC [Old Version]
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