Firewall and PC Security. Review on Choosing a Blocking and Filtering Software

One of the reasons for installing firewall software is to prevent identity theft and the lengthy process of restoring your credit. Your financial data and password lists may all be stored inside your computer.

A firewall, like a security system, only allows specified traffic through specified doors or ports. A personal firewall product will alert you or take one of many pre determined actions when someone tries to tamper with your computer without permission.

*#ZoneAlarm:

*I am using ZoneAlarm( from Zone Labs, Inc.) which is an award winning product from zone lab. I installed the utility some 6 months back prior to that I used Kaspersky AV program which is having very good fire wall, then I swithched my AV program and then got some threats after succesfully instalation of this no issues and I can see the Vault have some 1050 threads protected and some are high too.

Zone Alarm is having a free and Pro version one can try the free version which is enough for the personal firewal. It is very light weight and good protections. It will protect the personal data by blocking spyware and adware as well as protecting your identity with the myVAULT utility.

Features:

1.The Best Firewall compare to Window firewall which block almost all, and the user have choice to set the alert too.

2.Less load to the system

3.For a new user front end is friendly and one can check the blocked threads and check what exactaly it is.

4.Pro version have more features donot think if you are in personal pc.

5.Two features in ZoneAlarm Pro include the ability to block viruses using your current virus software and offer email protection.

6.Very easy instalation and can work perfectly with AV program and System Tools like Spyboot or Advance Systemcare or CCleaner.

7. Protects PC from rootkits and threats that target the operating system, even during start-up.

*#PC Tools Firewall:

*PC Tools Firewall Plus is a free personal firewall for Windows that protects your computer by preventing unauthorized users, can stop Trojans, backdoors, keyloggers and other malware from damaging your computer and stealing your private information.

PC Tools Firewall Plus is simple and having powerful prevention against attacks and known exploits is activated by default while experienced users can optionally create their own advanced packet filtering rules, including IPv6 support, to customize the network defenses.

Features:

1.It has smart updates and real-time protection

2.Network protection from hackers

3.PC Toll recomend to use this product with PC Doctor AV protection.

*#Microsoft Windows Firewall:

*Vista and XP Service Pack 2 operating systems have personal firewalls built in that are turned on by default to block threats from the Internet. You should leave this feature turned on until you replace it with third-party software and/or hardware.

Check:

1. Click Start -> Run, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.

   
   




2. On the General tab, click On(recommended) / OFF . ClickOK.

   
   

*#Comodo Firewall:

*This Utility will come with Antivirus and protect the PC with the firewall, just checked the Cnet rating it show 5 star.

#Hardware Firewalls:

A hardware firewall is usually a small box that sits between a modem and a computer or network. The firewall is either based on "network address translation"(NAT) which hides your computer from the Internet or NAT plus "stateful packet inspection"(SPI) for more protection. There are three basic types of hardware devices that include firewalls for home users, Wired Routers, Wireless Routers, and Broadband Gateways. They are inexpensive enough to be used with one computer and can also be used to create a home computer network. They can be used in addition to a software firewall on each computer because they run on a separate box preventing most compatibility problems.

-D-Link DIR-655 Extreme N Wireless Router

-ZoneAlarm Secure Wireless Router

Lastly, A firewall can block malware that could otherwise scan your computer for vulnerabilities and then try to break in at a weak point. The only way to make a home computer 100% secure is to turn it off or disconnect it from the Internet. The real issue is how to make one 99.9% secure .Home computers need to have personal firewall and anti-malware software installed and kept up-to-date to find and remove viruses, spyware, Trojans and other malware.

Tips Never use two personal firewall software products at the same time. Fully uninstall one before installing another to prevent compatibility problems.