EmailBest Reviewed
Firewalls
- Best firewall Online Armor Personal Firewall *Est. $40
- Best free firewall Comodo Internet Security *Est. $0
- Best security-suite firewall Outpost Security Suite Pro 2009 *Est. $50
- Best Mac firewall Little Snitch *Est. $30
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Best security-suite firewall
- Top-quality firewall
- Strong antivirus protection
- Easier to use for novices
- Advanced features can be challenging to use
- Fewer types of protection than other security suites
For those who value a top-notch firewall as part of an integrated security solution, experts say that Outpost Security Suite Pro 2009 is a worthy contender. The firewall itself is among the very best in independent testing. A new interface for novices makes the software easy to use for beginners, but those interested in more control will find the advanced interface just as daunting to use as ever. The antivirus component in the suite is also very good. However, as a whole, the suite offers fewer types of protection than other all-in-one security solutions, such as Norton Internet Security 2009 (*Est. $45). However, the firewall in Norton, while better than some, does not test nearly as well.
The best firewall testing is done by Matousec.com, which subjects firewalls, including the one in Outpost Security Suite Pro 2009, to a gauntlet of 84 challenges. The single-product review at Britain's Pocket-lint is also informative. An article in the Columbia Daily Tribune also touches upon Outpost Security Suite 2009, but is short on details. Information about the firewall in the suite is also available in a review in Web User. User feedback on the firewall is available at Softpedia.com.
Our Sources
1. Matousec.com
Outpost Security Suite Pro 2009 falls in the top tier of firewalls here, stopping 93 percent of tests and earning a recommendation. However, while the effectiveness testing here is unsurpassed, no significant attention is paid to other important factors, such as ease of use.
Review: Proactive Security Challenge, David Matousek
Although this British site is not a particularly prolific reviewer of security software, and effectiveness is not really addressed, this report on Outpost Security Suite Pro 2009 is still fairly useful. Paul Lester says that while a basic view for beginners makes the package fairly easy to use, making advanced adjustments -- and there are many of them -- can be a challenge.
Review: Outpost Security Suite Pro 2009 Review, Paul Lester, July 31, 2008
3. WebUser
While Web User's review of a previous edition of the Outpost Security Suite is too dated to be useful, it's review of Outpost Firewall Pro 2009 -- the firewall included in the current incarnation of the suite -- is helpful. The firewall earns this British magazine's Gold award. Reference is made to Matousec.com's testing, but those results have since changed.
Review: Outpost Firewall Pro 2009 Review, Joe Cassels, Aug. 28, 2008
This Missouri newspaper article deals primarily with protecting your computer against all sorts of threats. Although details are not given, Scott May says he's used dozen's of products over the years -- including suites and stand-alone software -- and that he likes Outpost Security Suite 2009 the best.
Review: Protection, discretion can keep out sneaky malware, Scott A. May, Feb. 24, 2009
Although no user or editor reviews have yet been posted, Outpost Security Suite 2009 earns a decent 3.8-star rating here based on feedback from nearly 125 users. Separately, the Outpost Firewall Pro firewall that's included in the suite gets an even higher 4.4 out of five rating based on feedback from more than 600 users. A handful of mostly complimentary user reviews and an editor's review can also be found.
Review: Outpost Security Suite Pro 2009, Contributors to Softpedia.com
Firewalls Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
