Definitive Best Firewall 2012

[Lee G. Veteran]

An updated "Best Firewall" poll for 2012. Please use this as a reference when researching Firewall utilities. As time goes on, the poll can be updated to add further options.

Happy Voting!

[n_K]

I always used to (and still do) use BlackICE and thought it was a pretty decent firewall, but apparently all a firewall does is block ports (mainly input). The analysing of traffic and rejecting packets etc. is the IPS part which is seperate from a firewall, so in terms of firewalls I'm using Comodo (on W7), BlackICE (on server), IPTables (on this linux box and my linux server) and snort [iPS] (on linux server).

[patseguin Global Moderator]

I voted BitDefender because I love it. However, don't router's have a Firewall built in? I never understood the need for a firewall on an actual workstation.

[camuflage]

Comodo!

[chrisdoland]

Comodo

[JJ_]

Comodo, been using is since Sygate died.

[fenderMarky]

I always used Comodo... best for advanced configuration but at the same time easy to use.

[spiritv2]

I didnt see windows7firewall control on the list, i use it on windows 7 and its done everything i've asked for and a small footprint to boot, they have a paid and free version (i use the free one) --> http://www.sphinx-soft.com/

p.s. - not selling it just recommending it!

[primexx]

lol the two free ones with the highest votes

[The_Observer]

Comodo, been using is since Sygate died.

Tell me about it Sygate was great!

[th3rEsa]

LOL, how is a software a firewall?

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello Theresa,

These programs function as application firewalls. What that means is that these programs run on the host operating system and intercept network traffic in order to filter it and examine it for threats, or other unwanted/undesireable behavior. They can also do various things like blocking access to particular sites or network traffic ports, prevent programs from accessing the Internet on a case-by-case basis and so forth. They are similar to hardware firewalls and, in fact, have some overlap in functionality, but for the most part they perform a complementary function.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

LOL, how is a software a firewall?

[htcz]

There are two types of firewall: Hardware and software.

Most routers have a basic (but highly configurable, depends on what router) firewall. It might be a overkill but most networks should have both: A basic very "loose" configured hardware firewall (and highly configured for machines that cant have a firewall installed) and a personalized software one.

Windows 7 Firewall, although OK, is weak compared to others out there on tha market (free and paid) :)

[cooky560 Veteran]

Another vote for Comodo here

[ybrett23]

i use little snitch :)

[Brandon H Supervisor]

Windows 7 built in firewall has always been good enough for me

[n_K]

No SNORT?

I use iptables and SNORT on server and just iptables on this PC, comodo on all windows PCs.

[remixedcat]

[mujjuman]

I like Comodo.

I also want to say, that I love neowin and threads like these. I've been coming here for years asking for support. Thanks guys.

[BilliShere]

Comodo blows everything else out of the water when it comes to having a good firewall. Couple it with bitdefender for antivirus or the latest beta for microsoft security essentials and you've got yourself a very good security suite.

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

Since this is such a Windows-centric forum, I chose to select Windows applications for the poll.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

No SNORT?

I use iptables and SNORT on server and just iptables on this PC, comodo on all windows PCs.

[TEX4S]

Windows 7 built in firewall has always been good enough for me

Yep.

I will never see the need for a 3rd party software firewall for home users - It seems like beefing up security for a moot purpose.

Its like - OK you have 95% of data protected, add this firewall for another 3% - then tell everyone how great that 3% is -- and try to tell someone that little addition blocked something important that would otherwise cause problems...

Anyone else feel like a software firewall - with anti-virus - Windows firewall - and most have a router of some sort - is a bit of misguided paranoia ?

[GrandMaster]

Lol what is this a comodo promotional thread? Comodo AV failed all the virusbtn tests and you can expect similar performance of their firewall. Outpost has been the definitive best for years.

[pinprick]

Oh please Windows Built-In Firewall... The topic clearly says what's the best not what the majority uses :D. Does it even have outbound filtering by default ? I use little snitch in mac os x (just oubound) and the default mac os x firewall for requests from the wan. http://www.matousec.com/

Outgoing protection is paramont for windows since it is easier for malware to infiltrate and report data to the exterior without user consent.

[pinprick]

Lol what is this a comodo promotional thread? Comodo AV failed all the virusbtn tests and you can expect similar performance of their firewall. Outpost has been the definitive best for years.

Yeah its true that their anti-virus is deficient but their firewall is top-notch http://www.matousec.com/.

[chevyordeath]

May have to check out Comodo firewall. Been using Windows firewall for a long time. Currently over seas on business and would like something with a bit more control.