Firewalls and Tools

Anchor Link Firewall Ruleset
Information Only Last Reviewed: 2011-01-25
“If you are using a rule-based firewall it is important to apply specific rules for appliactions you use on the Internet. Otherwise regardless of what firewall you using improper configuration can make the firewall useless. You can obtain appropriate rulesets for most common applications (web-browsers, mail clients, FTP clients etc) in this database. Type in application name in form below and press ‘Search’ button to see if there are rulesets for this application, or browse the database by application class by choosing the class from drop-down menu.”
Anchor Link Jetico Personal Firewall
License: Shareware – $39.95 Last Reviewed: 2012-11-01
Version: 2.1.0.12 – Released: 2012-11-01 Windows: XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7, 8
File Size: 3.5 MB Both 32- and 64-bit versions
“Jetico Personal Firewall is unique rule based firewall on the market. Its open confuguration does not contain hidden rules and dependencies. You can inspect or modify every bit of configuration. In addition to real-time statistics, Jetico Personal Firewall displays real-time rules activity information. Logging subsystem allows user to trace down any firewall event. Features include:
¤ Runs as privileged Windows service. It can protect computer before user logon.
¤ Supports Access Control Lists for all main functions.
¤ Popup message text and rule creation options can be modified.
¤ Maintains single protected firewall configuration for all users.
¤ Rules support lists of parameters where possible. IP rules support IP address ranges.
¤ Application rules have events for direct and indirect access to network.”
Anchor Link Online Armor
License: Free and Shareware Last Reviewed: 2012-10-03
Version: 5.5.0.1736 – Released: 2012-10-03 Windows: XP, Vista, 7
File Size: 28.8 MB
“Online Armor’s firewall is designed to be easy to use, right out of the box. If you don’t want to understand all of the technical bits and pieces and just want to use your computer, Online Armor is for you. Online Armor’s firewall works in three ‘modes’.
1. Standard Mode: After installing Online Armor, it defaults to standard mode. In standard mode you are asked no technical questions about ports, protocols and so on – just simply ‘Do you want to allow this program to use the internet?’. A list of programs that the Tall Emu team knows are safe are included — these will be allowed to use the internet automatically.
2. Advanced Mode: In advanced mode, you can generate more advanced rules — this is for power users who understand firewalls, the internet and how it works.
3. Banking Mode – Prevent Bank Fraud: Banking Mode is a special feature of Online Armor. When you click the firewall into banking mode, your computer is only allowed to connect to legitimate banking sites. So, each time you do online banking make sure you engage banking mode first.
“Online Armor Free is a complementary version of our powerful windows firewall. Built on the same technology as Online Armor, the free version offers a basic firewall at no cost. There are no advertisements, no time limitations and no nag screens!
Please note: The free edition does not contain all of the Online Armor features advertised on this website.”
Anchor Link Outpost Firewall Pro
License: Shareware Last Reviewed: 2012-12-17
Version: 8.0 – Released: 2012-12-17 Windows: XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7, 8
File Size: 26.6 MB Both 32- and 64-bit versions
“Outpost Firewall Pro provides the first line of defense against malicious software by proactively controlling how programs behave and interact on a PC and preventing security breaches. The Host Protection module proactively monitors for and blocks sophisticated hacking techniques used to compromise or steal data. By analyzing threats and displaying actionable alerts, Host Protection blocks zero-day attacks and other unauthorized activities, providing advanced protection against botnets, rootkits and inadvertent data disclosure.”
Anchor Link PrivateFirewall
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2013-01-15
Version: 7.0.28.1 – Released: 2013-01-15 Windows: 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7
File Size: 3.6 MB Both 32- and 64-bit compatible
“PrivateFirewall is a Personal Firewall and Intrusion Detection Application that helps prevent unauthorized access to your PC, at home, the office, or on the road. Privatefirewall constantly monitors the sensitive areas of a PC where intrusion can occur, including browser security settings, network settings etc. and reports on their status. The program is easy to install/use and provides protection right ‘out of the box’. The interface will accommodate advanced users as well as novice users, it does not overload you with options and features, yet provides access to powerful rule settings and filers for advanced users via the right click menu. Privatefirewall offers everything that you’d expect from a personal firewall, including Packet Filtering, Internet traffic (packet) filtering, port scanning, IP tracking, SecurePOP email protection, and a proprietary Application Control Engine, which monitors all applications that access the Internet. The program integrates with the Windows Security Center, and offers a choice of 3 different profile settings for at home, at work and on the road, which makes it especially interesting for Notebook users that frequently connect to other networks.”
Anchor Link SoftPerfect Personal Firewall
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2011-01-25
Version: 1.4.1 – Released: 2008-08-01 Windows: 9x, Me, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 2008
File Size: 877 KB Both 32- and 64-bit compatible
“SoftPerfect Personal Firewall is a free network firewall designed to protect your PC against attacks from the Internet or via a local area network. SoftPerfect Personal Firewall offers customizable security using user-defined rules for packet filtering. It works at a low level and also allows you to create rules based on non-IP protocols such as ARP.
“SoftPerfect Personal Firewall has a learning mode, which prompts you for required actions when it detects an unknown packet. This helps you to create customized rules quickly. The program is easy to use, comes with a set of predefined rules and it is completely free. Additional features include password protection, logging and more.”
Anchor Link USB FireWall
License: Freeware Last Reviewed: 2012-03-22
Version: 1.1.3 – Released: 2008-09-01 Windows: 9x, Me, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista
File Size: 3.34 MB
“USB FireWall is an application which protects you from all malevolent programs which try to launch itself as soon as a peripheral USB is inserted. It will inform you if ever such a program is in one of your peripherals USB. You can remove the malevolent file and the file autorun.inf which launches it with the Delete button.
“As soon as USB FireWall is launching, it works in the background task, its window is posted only when one program tries to launch out automatically since a peripheral USB.”
Anchor Link Windows 7 Firewall Control
License: Free and Shareware Last Reviewed: 2012-10-18
Version: 5.1 – Released: 2012-10-18 Windows: XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7, 8
File Size: 2.23 MB Both 32- and 64-bit versions
Portable versions available on-site
“Protects your applications from undesirable network incoming and outgoing activity, controls applications internet access. Allows you to control personal information leakage via controlling application network traffic.
“Manages and synchronizes port forwarding provided by external network connection (firewall/router) box with applications requirements and activity.
• Decreases expenses of mobile/satellite connections
• Zone based network permissions management
• Integration with Window Explorer for direct access permission management
• Instant notifications of blocked activity
• Special editions for portable devices (USB flash/HDD drives, iPod etc)
• Protection from incoming and outgoing threats
• External network connection (firewall/router) box support
• Automatic network connection box detection/management
• External/worldwide access to selected local application
• Port Forwarding management
• Automatic Port Forwarding-to-applications synchronization
• Simplicity of operation
• Per-application security settings
• Group zone and application network access permission management
• IPv6 support”
Anchor Link Windows Firewall Control
License: Freeware – Donation requested Last Reviewed: 2013-04-09
Version: 3.9.1.8 – Released: 2013-04-08 Windows: Vista, 7, 8
File Size: 496 KB Both 32- and 64-bit compatible
Requires: .NET Framework 4.0
“Windows Firewall Control is a nifty little application which extends the functionality of the Windows Firewall and provides quick access to the most frequent options of Windows Firewall. It runs in the system tray and allows user to control the native firewall easily without having to waste time by navigating to the specific part of the firewall. This is the best tool to manage the native firewall from Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
“Features:
• Just one small size executable file, all features are packed in the same single executable file.
• Intuitive and easy accessible interface in the system tray.
• Allow or block a program to connect with just one mouse click.
• Quick access to edit Windows Firewall rules directly from the program interface.
• Shell integration into the right click context menu of the executable files.
• Choose if you want the program to start at user logon.
• Quick access to edit Windows Firewall rules directly from the program interface.
• Import and export the policies of the program.
• Protection to unauthorized uninstallation.
• Possibility to restore previous settings at uninstallation.”
Anchor Link XP Firewall Settings
Information Only Last Reviewed: 2012-03-04
Version: 2.8 – Released: 2008-02-04 Windows: XP
File Size: 1.0 MB
“Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides Windows Firewall, an enhanced firewall that is enabled by default. This white paper describes the methods used to deploy Windows Firewall settings in a managed environment.
“Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes the Windows Firewall, a replacement for the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) in previous versions of Windows XP. Windows Firewall is a stateful host-based firewall that discards unsolicited incoming traffic, providing a level of protection for computers against malicious users or programs. To provide better protection for computers connected to any kind of network (such as the Internet, a home network, or an organization network), Windows XP SP2 enables Windows Firewall on all network connections by default. This new behavior can impair some types of communications. This article describes how to deploy the appropriate configuration settings for Windows Firewall on an organization network so that it is enabled and providing protection, and so that communications are not impaired.”
Anchor Link ZoneAlarm
License: Freeware and Shareware Last Reviewed: 2012-10-13
Version: 10.2.081.000 – Released: 2012-10-12 Windows: XP, Vista, 7
File Size: 2.1 MB
“ZoneAlarm provides solid PC protection for the home user. It’s free for personal and non-profit use (excluding government and educational entities). ZoneAlarm is the popular first step for many home PC users.
“ZoneAlarm provides essential protection for Internet users. Combining the safety of a dynamic firewall with total control over applications Internet use, ZoneAlarm gives rock-solid protection against thieves and vandals. ZoneAlarm makes ironclad Internet security easy-to-use. ZoneAlarm gives you control over the door to your computer. With Stealth Mode enabled, ZoneAlarm s Firewall renders your computer invisible to the Internet and potential intruders. If you can t be seen, you can t be attacked.
“ZoneAlarm Pro doubles your protection with enhanced Ad Blocking and expanded Cookie Control to speed up your Internet experience and stop Web site spying. Why take chances? Get protected. Price: $29.95, includes 1 year of updates and online support.”