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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Best firewall
- Free
- Excellent firewall
- Minimal system drag
- Firewall can be installed on its own
- Anti-spyware and antivirus components get mixed reviews
- Obtrusive Defense+ system monitor
- Less user-friendly than some other firewalls
Comodo Internet Security marries the well-regarded Comodo Firewall with antivirus and anti-spyware programs and a system monitor to create a comprehensive and free Internet security solution. The Comodo Firewall remains the strongest part of the package, and it beats all comers in the most demanding testing we found. The rest of the suite draws mixed reactions, from avoid at all costs to balanced and easy to use, though perhaps not as complete and robust as other all-in-one suites. If you only want the Comodo Firewall, you can choose to install that on its own.
Comodo also offers paid versions of its suite -- Comodo Internet Security Plus 2011 (*Est. $40)and Comodo Internet Security Pro 2011 (*Est. $50 per year) year) -- which add features like Wi-Fi encryption and more robust support including live help, but each uses the same firewall as the company's free software. If you want a balanced, all-in-one solution and don't mind paying for it, Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 (*Est. $80)draws kudos for strong -- though not necessarily best-of-class -- performance in most crucial areas of computer protection. The firewall is nearly as strong as the one in Comodo Internet Security, and some say that it is easier to use.
We found lots of expert and user opinions of Comodo Internet Security. The testing conducted by Matousec.com is unsurpassed in terms of gauging the effectiveness of a firewall, though other issues -- such as user friendliness -- are not addressed. Professional reviews can be found at TheTechHerald.com, PC World, PCMag.com and Gizmo's Freeware. You can find user opinions at lots of sites, including Download.com.
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Our Sources
1. Matousec.com
Matousec.com keeps its firewall ratings up to date, retesting periodically as new versions become available. Comodo Internet Security secures a perfect score, edging out or clearly beating all other free and paid firewalls. However, issues such as user friendliness and the effectiveness of other components in the suite are not addressed.
Review: Proactive Security Challenge, David Matousek
TheTechHerald.com takes up a challenge issued by Comodo and benchmarks that company's free Internet Security suite against Norton Internet Security 2011 -- a well-regarded and top-rated all-in-one suite. The competition is based on overall suite performance and does not focus on the firewall, however. Norton prevails, but the competition is close. Steve Ragan says either suite will do the job in keeping you safe online, though he does add a couple of caveats when it comes to Comodo Internet Security.
Review: Review: Comodo Internet Security vs. Norton Internet Security, Steve Ragan, Sept. 27, 2010
Preston Gralla gives the previous Comodo Internet Security's firewall high marks but recommends that users ignore everything else in the bundle. He complains that the installation process is long and "annoying."
Review: Comodo Firewall Is a Superb Security Program (If You Ignore Its Bundled Software), Preston Gralla, Feb. 10, 2010
In this review of the previous edition of Comodo Internet Security, Neil J. Rubenking is not overly impressed with the antivirus, anti-spyware and system monitor components that are part of the suite. However, he says that the firewall itself "is still top-notch."
Review: Comodo Internet Security Suite 4.0, Neil J. Rubenking, April 30, 2010
Though testing isn't well explained, discussion here is good. Comodo Internet Security is selected as the best free firewall, beating free firewalls from Online Armor, ZoneAlarm and Outpost. An active user comment thread has tons of helpful feedback and updates.
Review: Best Free Firewall, Editors of Gizmo's Freeware, Apr. 24, 2011
6. Download.com
Though the editors have not weighed in, Download.com hosts a large number of user reviews of Comodo Internet Security, including a growing number that address the latest versions. Most give it a thumbs-up, but a significant minority also report issues, including conflicts with other security software and system freezes. In a poll here, Comodo Internet Security takes home top honors as preferred free Internet security software as voted on by the site's users.
Review: Comodo Internet Security Free 5.3, Contributors to Download.com
Firewalls Runners Up:
2 picks including: Softpedia.com, Columbia Daily Tribune…
2 picks including: 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan - Short Take Road Test…
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Matousec.com…
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