Best Top Firewall

ZoneAlarm Pro

2009-01-06T00:59:00.007Z

Prices:

Vendor	Price	Buy Now	Free to try
ClubMac	$29.99	Buy now	Download Now
amazon.com	$31.24	Buy now

Description:
ZoneAlarm augments your existing Antivirus solutions. ZoneAlarm Pro adds powerful, multi-layered security and additional protection. Includes Operating System Firewall, Network and Program Firewall, Anti-Spyware, Identity Theft Protection. The latest release improves the Operating System Firewall and applies more robust spyware detection and removal functions.

Key features:
· Guards the network perimeter from inbound and outbound threats with the worlds #1 firewall
· Prevents spyware and other malicious programs from sending your personal information across the Internet
· Full stealth mode to keep you concealed from anyone on the Internet
· Protects your programs from malware
· Identify and filter over 100,000 applications for constant protection against threats
· Monitor program installation, registry changes and file access down to your PCs core
· Monitor additional program actions for more thorough protection
· Prevents malicious software from damaging files in your core Windows operating system
· Ability to remove even the most persistent, hard-to-find spyware that infiltrate your PC at the core level

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Lavasoft Personal Firewall 3.0

2009-01-05T13:55:00.004Z

Prices:

Seller	License	Price
lavasoft	1 Year License	$29.95	Buy now

Description:
Lavasoft Personal Firewall is targeted for small and medium-sized business organizations and home users, providing seamless and powerful protection for both. This firewall product comes with simple configuration, "tick in the box" options. and powerful, easy-to-use controls. Coupled with Ad-Aware SE Plus or Ad-Aware SE Professional, it is a great help to keep the home PC and small office free from intrusive Internet worms, Trojan horses, hijackers, cyber thieves, or online extortionists.

key features：
· Host protection - proactively monitors and blocks even the most sophisticated attempts to steal your data, preventing zero-day attacks and safeguarding against botnets, rootkits, and other cyber threats.

· Web control - ensures firewall cannot be deactivated by targeted attacks.

· Extended monitoring - For more advanced user, this feature allows additional control of inappropriate application behavior and provides more customizable protection.

· Network activity monitor - gives you the ability to close down any unauthorized connections with other PCs.

· Stealth mode technology - conceals access ports and makes sure your PC is invisible on the Internet, so that you can surf the web privately.

· Adaptive Firewall Rules - automatically changes your security settings to suit your personal needs.

· Entertainment Mode - allows you to enjoy movies or games online, without getting interrupted by firewall prompts, while still maintaining maximum security.

· Auto-learning mode - When the program is first started, a special learning mode is run and your typical activities are recorded. This is done to reduce the number of alerts requiring a response.

· ConnectNet - this feature is a voluntary configuration system put in place to save users' time and provide additional security by collecting, approving and redistributing commonly used rule sets among users.

· SmartAdvisor - helps you make the right decision when customizing your individual requirements.

· Full Vista and 64-bit platform support

· Powerful protection - low on resources

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Outpost Firewall Pro

2009-01-04T07:07:00.001Z

Prices:

Seller	License	Price
Software Store		$39.95	Buy now

Description:
Outpost Firewall Pro delivers proactive defense against hackers, spyware, Trojans, botnets, keyloggers, ID theft and other Internet-borne threats. The integrated anti-spyware module defends against the broad range of malicious programs. Its on-demand scanner enables scanning custom locations, while the real-time monitor is constantly on guard against the activation of spyware. The award-winning bidirectional firewall guards users' network access, keeping them safe from inappropriate connections, loss of private data, unwanted program activity. The firewall's unique Attack Detection protects LANs against man-in-the-middle attacks. The Host Protection module takes a new approach to combating malware: it pre-empts the infection by examining the behavior of a monitored object, proactively blocking it from performing any unauthorized activity. This type of defense-in-advance helps to halt unknown malware before it can activate its destructive payload. Outpost is incredibly easy to use.

Version 2009 adds Vista support, IPv6 support, enhances performance, includes new interface and accessibility scheme, adds Web and transaction safety monitoring, adds driver loading verification, extends monitoring for vulnerable system objects, adds UAC, and features FUS & Remote Desktop support.

Benefits:
- Safety on the Internet
- Preemptive threat protection
- No more spyware!
- Secure web surfing
- Bulletproof self-defense
- Performance-driven operation
- Power without complexity

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brighthub.com

CA Personal Firewall 2009

2009-01-03T14:31:00.005Z

Prices:

Seller	License	Price
ca.com	Supports up to 3 PCs	$29.99	Buy now

Description:
Every PC connected to the Internet is a potential target for hackers and identity thieves. CA Personal Firewall helps protect your PC from both known and unknown threats, providing comprehensive, business-strength hacker and privacy protection. It stops intruders, blocks malicious programs, and helps protect your personal information from identity theft.

key Features：
Pre-loaded Security Settings give you optimal protection right out of the box, and reduce the amount of firewall warnings for known programs.
Enhanced Program Control with Safeguard Protection helps protect your critical registries and other critical operating system components from malicious activities and threats.
Public Network Detection alerts you when you enter a new network outside of your established home network.
Enhanced Logs allow you to identify the IP addresses and host names of potential hackers.
Restore Defaults option restores your firewall to its original settings.
Silent Protection automatically analyzes program behavior to determine whether it is safe, and allows or denies access to the Internet.
Ad Blocking helps cut down annoying pop-up and pop-under ads, letting you surf in peace
ID Theft Protection helps you store sensitive personal information, alerts you when it is about to leave your PC by email or the Internet, and lets you block the transmission if necessary
Cache Cleaner removes sensitive browser history and file clutter, making your PC more efficient and protecting your privacy
Mobile Code Protection allows you to block malicious or untrusted mobile code (JavaScript, Active X, VBScript, etc.)
Cookie Control prevents websites from tracking your behavior

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eConceal Pro

2009-01-02T15:07:00.003Z

Prices:

Vendor	Price	Buy Now	Free to try
Software Store	$34.95	Buy now
element5	$34.95	Buy Now

Description:
eConceal Firewall Pro is an advanced and well rounded firewall solution for the home and home office. It includes many features from standard options such as Stealth Mode all the way to real-time bandwidth reporting. It also reports all the active connections coming to and leaving your computer. As many firewall products are beginning to do, eConceal Firewall Pro allows you to perform rule changes at the application level as well as the port level.

key Features：
· Data Filtering - Continuously monitors and filters the IP and Non-IP Traffic.
· Filtering level - Supports Application and Packet Level filtering. Application Level helps you setup rules for a particular Application. Packet Level provides filtering for incoming and outgoing data packets
· User-defined Rules - Provides a powerful traffic filtering system with user-defined processing rules. Users can define rules according to their requirements and implement customized traffic filtering.
· Preset Rules - Offers a set of pre-defined rules users can choose from, in order to enforce access control. The different types of rules are ARP, DHCP & BOOTP, DNS, E-mail, WWW, News, Net Bios, FTP, ICMP, ICQ, Telnet & SSH, IRC, MSN, and VPN.
· Network Traffic Monitor - Shows current data traffic on your system, including information regarding open programs and ports used in communication.
· Port Monitoring - All communication between your system and the outside world take place through ports. A port is 'virtual slot' in your TCP along with a UDP stack. A UDP stack is used to map a connection between two hosts, and also between the TCP/UDP layer and the actual applications running on the hosts. eConceal prevents scanning of these ports and alerts you of any such attempts from unauthorized users and attackers.
· Stealth Mode - Surf the Internet invisibly, without letting other online users see you. When online, your computer constantly receives and responds to information requests from other computers. In stealth mode your computer will not respond to this flow of queries and requests.
· Webpage Scanning - Provides Parental Control by blocking offensive and pornographic websites. Enterprises can stop non-business websites in office, to prevent wastage of Bandwidth and accelerate productivity.
· Pop-Up Blocking - Stops all kinds of Pop-ups to save bandwidth and system resources. Option is available for Whitelisting specific websites.
· Multiple Network Adapter Support - Supports configuration of multiple network adapters.
·Comprehensive Logs - Stores log information detailing programs involved in outgoing/incoming traffic, Communication Protocols used, Source and Destination IP addresses, direction of traffic, and action taken depending on rules in force. In addition, it maintains an Event Log detailing user events - e.g. changing security levels, loading rules, firewall shutdown etc .
· Real-time Traffic Monitoring Reports - It provides clear, concise graphical and non-graphical reporting on internal and external traffic. Various reports based on Application, Expert Rule, Zone Rule, IP and Date are available along with graphs of different styles like Bar, Pie, Line and alike .
· Password-protection - Ensures security by implementing password protection for the Firewall in order to prevent unauthorized access to its settings.
· Easy Installation and Configuration - eConceal is easy to install and configure. It does not affect Windows system files and does not require any additional libraries (DLLs).

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InJoy Firewall

2009-01-01T05:54:00.002Z

Prices:

Seller	License	Price
regnow		$30.00	Buy now

Description:
This multi-platform firewall utilizes next-generation IDS technology to deliver enterprise-class deep packet inspection, application layer vulnerability protection, and intelligent intrusion prevention. Install it and become an instant security professional with complete authority over your Internet connection and real-time transparent insight into almost any network activity. The intuitive user interface is highly customizable, allowing you to efficiently control Firewall servers--locally or remotely - even across OS Platforms. In addition, a toolbar application enables you to casually keep an eye on the "intrusion score".

key Features：
- Multi-Platform support.
- Local/Remote GUI.
- Deep Packet Inspection.
- Stateful Inspection.
- Intrusion Detection (IDS).
- Dynamic Firewall Rules.
- 10+ Security Levels.
- IPSec VPN Server.
- IPSec VPN Client.
- Basic Virus protection.
- Access Control.
- Packet Filtering.
- Traffic Accounting.
- Traffic Shaping.
- Bandwidth Management.
- SafeMail (secure e-mail).
- Web Filtering.
- Internet Gateway (NAT).
- DHCP Server.
- DNS Forwarding.
- Port scan protection.
- PPPoE Client.
- PPTP Client.

Screenshot:

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Webroot Desktop Firewall

2009-01-01T05:36:00.003Z

Prices:

Vendor	Price	Buy Now	Free Download
webroot	Free		Download Now

Description:
A computer without a firewall is easy prey for hackers, worms, remote access Trojans and other online threats. Anti-spyware and virus protection are only a part of any security solution. A firewall is a critical component, and Webroot Desktop Firewall secures your computer from Internet threats and reduces the risks of being a victim of online crimes. Unlike the Windows XP and Vista Firewall, Webroot Desktop Firewall combines intelligent firewall technology with intrusion prevention for inbound and outbound protection that is both powerful and easy to use.

key Features：
- Stealth Mode Feature
- Email Protection
- Advanced Packet Filtering
- Malicious Process Blocking
- System Anomaly Intelligence
- Port Monitoring and Blocking
- Custom Protection Profiles
- Lock down your PC
- File and Printer Sharing
- Comprehensive Internet Activity Log

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Why You Need a Firewall

2008-01-10T03:07:00.000Z

When you leave your home or car for a period of time, do you lock your doors? Of course. Doing so gives you a sense of security-your property won't be an easy mark for thieves.

The same is necessary for your computer; your Internet connection leaves you vulnerable to hackers who want to access your financial and personal information. Some hackers may be after your high-speed connection so that they can send malicious viruses and worms, blackening your reputation. Other intruders have the power to destroy your operating system on a whim. How can you lock that computer door but still have the freedom to do your business online?

A solid firewall will help you stop intruders from accessing your system. You keep your Internet link to the outside world but the outside world can't view you unless you want them to. With a firewall in place you will still have typical email access, but chat and other interactive programs will require you to take an extra step to grant access before you can use them. A firewall is powerful, but unobtrusive-just like a deadbolt lock inside a door.

But unlike a single door to a home, the path to your computer data has two doorways. Some of your data is stored on a physical media storage device such as a hard drive, optical disk, thumb drive, or some other form of media. The other method is your computer memory. An open door on either of these storage methods leaves your network and your data vulnerable.

Some of the most common methods to attack or view computer data include:

- IP spoofing - This form of attack occurs when someone outside your network spoofs (fools) your computer into recognizing the intruder as a trusted source-either a trusted internal source (by using an IP address that is within the range of IP addresses in your network) or a trusted external IP address that your system recognizes. This is like a stranger knocking on your door, claiming to be your long lost Uncle Joe. An IP address is like the computer's name, giving a computer a specific identity that other computers come to recognize.

IP spoofing only works when a hacker learns your IP address. The hacker then modifies the packet headers on his communications to your computer. A packet header is present in any transfer of computer data and is similar to a routing number on a check-the header guides the packet of data on its journey just as a routing number guides a check.

- Network Packet Sniffers - Windows NT sends network packets as unprotected clear text, inadvertently allowing anyone to pick packets up en route for a closer look. Even though some packet sniffers are legitimate (for network management) others are used to steal your information while in transit. This method is a hacker favorite because it's easier to pull off, harder to get caught.

- Man-in-the-Middle Attacks - This type of an attack occurs when someone accesses information between two individuals without either one detecting the infiltrator's presence. If both parties are using a public-key system to send data, the man-in-the-middle can intercept the public-key, use it to decipher the message, copy it, then recode the data again to continue sending it on its way.

- Distribution of Sensitive Internal Information to External Sources - This form of an attack could involve a disgruntled employee or someone who has or once had access to sensitive corporate information. The individual could place the sensitive data on an external computer (such as an external FTP server or share a drive on a network) so others can have full access.

- Password Attacks - Passwords are the most vulnerable to attack. Once someone has access to a user's password, the attackers will then have the key to personal information. There are several ways an attacker can steal passwords. The most common are:

Password Guessing - This technique is often ineffective because it takes a long time to guess someone's password, even if the password is a common one. Attackers can either enter guesses manually or electronically.

Brute-Force Logon - This technique is essentially the same as password guessing, however, the attacker tries to quickly gain access to a user's username and password by using guessing tools to automate the process.

Password Cracking - This technique is more effective than the previous techniques. Password Cracking software obtains the password file in Windows through an elevated level of access, then using a tool like PWDUMP to view the password data you've saved in a file.

Article Source: By Don Evett, toptenreviews.com