Definitive Best Firewall 2007

[kinetix63 Veteran]

A fresh "Best Firewall" poll for 2007. Please use this as a reference when researching Firewall utilities. As time goes on, the poll can be updated to add further options.

Due to limitations of IPB - this will be seen as 3 polls. Select the Firewall program you wish to vote for, and choose N/A in the other polls.

Happy voting!

[ROM3000]

I'm using ZoneAlarm along with my NAT Router and haven't had any problems.

[r3volution]

Router Firewall.

[raider360]

Other.

Kaspersky.

[Enzo Marinelli]

Other.

Kaspersky.

Wow, at last! :D

kinetix63, would you please add Kaspersky Internet Security as an option, for the 4th time :blink:?

[ZIPO]

Please add Kaspersky, this is really unfair.

[Guest Jeremy of Many]

Comodo Personal Firewall Pro (freeware) is the best and this site proves it.

[no-sweat]

Just want to clear this up. If you use a router like Linksys wireless whatever, it acts as a firewall automatically right? It'll block all odd ports? Then you can just use the forwarding in setup to open them. Do I understand this correctly?

[MrCobra]

Just want to clear this up. If you use a router like Linksys wireless whatever, it acts as a firewall automatically right? It'll block all odd ports? Then you can just use the forwarding in setup to open them. Do I understand this correctly?

Yes. From my understanding port triggering is better because the ports only stay open as long as needed. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. You'll also want a software firewall as well to filter inbound and outbound traffic on suspect or unknown programs as well.

Hardware Firewall - N/A - Other (AVG Firewall).

[Purple Haze]

I've got a Linksys router, along w/ Sygate when deemed necessary (like my parents' computer :p). Tried Comodo, didn't like it one bit - seemed like a lot of noise for little action. Haven't given ZA a shot in a couple years.

[Guest Jeremy of Many]

Tried Comodo, didn't like it one bit - seemed like a lot of noise for little action.

It's called thoroughness. Firewalls have to learn what you do before they can properly protect you. They can't both ignore your actions and protect you against attackers and yourself at the same time. What do you expect? What I just mentioned, apparently.

[SonicSam]

It's called thoroughness. Firewalls have to learn what you do before they can properly protect you. They can't both ignore your actions and protect you against attackers and yourself at the same time. What do you expect? What I just mentioned, apparently.

Don't think so, I've been using Comodo for a month and it is VERY forgetfully. i can understand needing a period of training to your system but when i specifically go in to the config and set a program to allow all communication and ignore parent then next time I go in to the config the setting has be reverted back to default then you get a little P'ed off. And for example repeated prompting to allow IE which is being run using the same icon and opening the default homepage.

Comodo is free so you can forgive I guess and has good potential if they can make it remember better.

That being said there isn't much out there now that I like, Norton Internet Security was okay (if a little slow) until there 2007 version which lost a load of functionality and was actually slower and more or a memory hog then before and zonealarm, what a joke in my book, all the praise in the world from all the review mags but its worse than NIS, hasn't changed much looks wise in god knows how long and looks awful, it's hard to use and breaks lots of web pages.

In a surprise M$ one care 1.5 is actually quite good, its fast, simple to configure (Although limited in what rule detail you can set). Okay so its probably got more holes than a tea strainer but for someone who isn't computer savvy (not me BTW I'm a computer god :D ) it's quite a good solution.

Anyway after NIS, ZoneAlarm and now Comodo I'm once again on the hunt for a good, fast, reliable and logical software firewall. Lets see who's next.

[SonicSam]

Quick update, I installed Outpost Firewall last night and finally think I have found a firewall the fulfils my requirements and more, feature wise it kinda reminds me of older versions of Norton Internet Security (but without the bloat and with many more features) and it's powerful too, loads of ways to configure access settings but also very user friendly if you decide thats how you like things. Good logging, v.low CPU and Memory usage and and some cool plug-ins for ad blocking and anti-spy-ware etc.

All in all 10 out of 10 so far...

[Joey992]

I just recently started using Kaspersky Internet Security because my computer is starting to show its age and most of the seperate firewall and AV programs were a little too resource heavy. I find that one solution is much easier for my comp to handle. Plus it really is a great program and from what I've read it is fairly high on the security lists.

[Enzo Marinelli]

I just recently started using Kaspersky Internet Security because my computer is starting to show its age and most of the seperate firewall and AV programs were a little too resource heavy. I find that one solution is much easier for my comp to handle. Plus it really is a great program and from what I've read it is fairly high on the security lists.

Yeah, it's an excellent applications... it's a shame the forum starter WONT add it as an option even after seven requests... :s

[python134r]

Yeah its called a Nat router.

[Windows98]

Looknstop and the old kerio 2. Light as feathers.

[Sniper101]

Personally the Best firewall out is a Hardware firewall, no holes no exploites and you can monitor it perfectly and you have more control over software firewalls Software firewalls are useless in my opinion where's the options to block network traffic? where's the option to define IP Access over your router.

Hardware Firewall for a Network

Software firewall if you just surf now and again

[SonicSam]

Personally the Best firewall out is a Hardware firewall, no holes no exploites and you can monitor it perfectly and you have more control over software firewalls Software firewalls are useless in my opinion where's the options to block network traffic? where's the option to define IP Access over your router.

Hardware Firewall for a Network

Software firewall if you just surf now and again

Don't be an ar$e, a hardware firewall and a software firewall are different beasts and used for different things. Sure for incoming data a hardware firewall is a must, but a hardware firewall can't restrict traffic at the application level, it can only restrict it by protocol. So when it opens a port to allow traffic through, for example port 80 for the web or port 25 and 110 for SMTP/pop3 it does not know what application it is opening it for and so opens the port for all applications on the system/s that need it, not just your web bowser of your email client but any spy-ware, viruses or malware too.

Ideally everyone should have a good software firewall for blocking outbound traffic at the application (and port) level, and a hardware firewall for closing unneeded incoming ports that can be used to gain access to your computer or network and as a secondary protection for when your software firewall is off or broken or just not installed yet.

Both types of firewall have there place and if your running an always on broadband connection then you should have both enabled.

[Vettetech]

Been using Comodo Firewall and I love it. Here is all you need.

http://www.matousec.com/projects/windows-p...sts-results.php

[rado354]

Look n Stop & Kerio Personal are very strong performers.

Not quite user friendly but at least you have a complete control ;)

[chrisg89]

A fresh "Best Firewall" poll for 2007. Please use this as a reference when researching Firewall utilities. As time goes on, the poll can be updated to add further options.

Due to limitations of IPB - this will be seen as 3 polls. Select the Firewall program you wish to vote for, and choose N/A in the other polls.

Happy voting!

what about panda? :whistle:

[Guest Jeremy of Many]

what about panda? :whistle:

Since it isn't even listed on MatouSec's Firewall Comparison, Panda either refused to allow their product to be tested with other products, or they allowed it to be but it wasn't worth it. I'm assuming they didn't allow it because MatouSec reviews even the crappiest of firewalls.

[iOsiris]

What happened to Sygate option? Just because they were bought out, doesn't mean I stopped using them (last version 5.6)

[Youdontknowme]

has anybody used jetico?

[Master Shake]

Can't wait for Comodo to be compatible with Vista. I feel so naked without it.