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These suites combine multiple features into a single product from one or more vendors. There are tradeoffs in using these products. It is convenient to have several features bundled together. Dealing with one vendor may be easier for upgrades and support. If the parts of a suite have trouble getting along, the vendor may be more likely to fix the problem since it's harder to say that its not their fault. If you have three home computers, a 3 license suite may save you money and reduce the work installing and maintaining your security software. On the other hand, these suites may not have every security and privacy feature that you need or want. A suite may have several strong features mixed with some weaker ones. |
Important Tips
- Just One, Not Two -- Never use two firewall or two anti-virus products (or two suites that include them) at the same time. Completely uninstall one before installing another. Use the vendor's uninstall utility or if not available, use the Windows XP add/remove software tool in the control panel.
- Patches & Updates -- Most security software is only as effective as its most recent update because it is inherently reactive treating "known" threats. So when you install a security suite, go to the vendor's web site and update the program immediately and then turn on the auto update feature (if it has one).
- Get Online Protection Too -- Consider using an Internet service provider or email service that includes server side anti-virus and spam email filtering as a second layer of defense.
- Prices -- See our custom Internet Security Suites Price List
 powered by Amazon.com
Choices (alpha order) -- Vendor and review links follow.
- Top Security Suites -- Norton (by Symantec), ZoneAlarm (by Checkpoint) & Kaspersky
- More Security Suites -- Aluria, AVG, BidDefender, Blink, Bullguard, Computer Associates, F-Secure, Grisoft, eEye, Iolo, Laplink, McAfee, Microsoft, MicroWorld, Norman, Panda, Preventon, Steganos, Trend Micro & VCOM
- Utility Suites -- Iolo System Mechanic Pro, Symantec's Norton Systemworks, VCOM SystemSuite & WinCleaner Complete PC Care
Comparative Reviews
- Security Suite Smackdown III, Seon Carroll, PC Magazine, July 4, 2007 -- Avira AntiVir, System Shield, Norton 360, Outpost & ZoneAlarm.
- Mischief-Proofing Your PC, Stephen Wildstrom, Business Week, February 8, 2007 -- Symantec, McAfee & Microsoft
- Net security face-off: AVG, Panda and Sophos, Jason Whittaker, PC Advisor UK, December 7, 2006
- PC Magazine, 2006 Year In Review, 11-29-06
- Software [Best] - 'The Top Five' - Norton Internet Security 2007
- Software [Worst] - 'The Craptastic Five' - ewido anti-spyware 4.0, McAfee Total Protection, and Windows Live OneCare
- Security Suite Smackdown, Part II, Brian Heater, PC Magazine, December 4, 2006 -- AVG, Bullguard & Outpost Pro
- Internet security face-off: Norton vs McAfee, Jason Whittaker, PC Advisor UK, November 2, 2006
- Internet Security Software Reviews, Consumer Search, November 2006, summary of 22 reviews of 15 products
- First Look: McAfee Internet Security 2007 and Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007, Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World, October 31, 2006
- Security Suite Smackdown, Part 1, Sean Carroll, PC Magazine, October 17, 2006
- All-in-One Security, Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World, May 25, 2006 -- Symantec Norton Internet Security 2006, McAfee Internet Security Suite 2006, Panada Platnimum 2006 Internet Security, F-Secure Internet Security 2006, Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2006, Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite, Microsoft Windows Live OneCare, CA eTrust Internet Security Suite 2006, BitDefender 9 Internet Security, and Aluria Security Center. Note: These are the most comprehensive comparative tests for security suites that we have ever seen, go to the Top Security Suites chart, select a product and click on "test" for details.
Top Security Suites
Norton Internet Security 2008 or Norton 360 from Symantec include personal firewall and protection from viruses, worms, spyware, intrusion, phishing and root kits. Also includes behavioral monitoring features. The free online add-on pack includes anti-spam, parental control, confidential information blocking, and ad blocking. "Norton 360" adds automatic backup and restore with 2 GB of online storage, PC tune up and embedded support components.
- Norton Internet Security 2008, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 7, 2007
- Norton 360, Davey Winder, PC Pro UK, June 2007
- Symantec's 360 security has your PC covered, Peter Griffin, NZ Herald, April 19, 2007
- So quiet, you won't know it's there [Norton 360], Ian Tan, Electric Newpaper, March 16, 2007
- Norton 360: Is Hands-Off Security a Good Thing? Jack Germain, eCommerceTimes, March 13, 2007
- Norton 360, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, March 7, 2007 -- Editors' Choice
- CNet Norton 2007 review, Robert Vamosi, February 26, 2007 -- Editors' Choice
ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite  from CheckPoint (they bought Zone Labs) features include network, program and operating systems firewalls, antivirus, identity theft protection, anti-spyware, spy site blocking, auto-learn, privacy protection, IM protection, game mode, essential email security, wireless PC protection, parental control, and smart defense service.
- ZoneAlarm Security Suite 7.1 Adds Vista Support, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, June 13, 2007
- ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7 [review], Davey Winder, PC Authority, April 23, 2007
- ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2007 Review, Stephen Patrick, Pocket-lint UK, March 6, 2007
- Check Point ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7.0, Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World, March 2, 2007
- ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 7, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, January 25, 2007
- CNet ZoneAlarm 7 review, Robert Vamosi, January 16, 2007 -- Editor's Choice
Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 features intrusion protection, anti-virus, personal firewall, anti-spyware, anti-spam, and blocks auto dialers, ads and pop-ups.
- Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 1, 2007
- Preview: Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0, Roger Gann, PC Advisor UK, July 4, 2007
- Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0.2.6.1.4 - Review, Matousec, March 11, 2007
- Kaspersky Internet Security 6, Davey Winder, PC Authority, September 8, 2006
- Review: Kaspersky Internet Security 6, Jonathan Parkyn, Computeractive, August 25, 2006
- Kaspersky Internet Security 6, Jeff Bertolucci, CNet, May 16, 2006
- First Look: Kaspersky's Best of Breed Security Suite, Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World, May 16, 2006
- Kaspersky Internet Security 6, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, May 15, 2006
More Security Suites
Agnitum Outpost Pro Security Suite -- firewall, anti-virus/spyware, anti-spam, proactive monitor.
Aluria Security Center -- Firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam. Also available as the Earthlink Protection Control Center which is free if Earthlink is your ISP or $5 per month or $48 per year if it is not your ISP.
AVG Internet Security -- Firewall, antivirus, anti-spyware and anti-spam.
- Review: AVG Internet Security 7.5, Simon Williams, Computeractive, January 10, 2007
- PC Magazine review, Neil Rubenking, November 17, 2006
- Review: Antivirus Protection That's Suite, Frank Ohlhorst, CRN, October 9, 2006
Avira AntiVir Premium Security Suite
BitDefender Total Security 2008 -- Anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, parental control, spam filter
- BitDefender Total Security 2008, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 23, 2007
- Review: BidDefender Antivirus Plus v10 security suite, Paul Lester, Personal Computer World, November 9, 2006
- BitDefender Internet Security 10, Davey Winder, PC Authority, November 6, 2006
- BitDefender Internet Security v10, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 24, 2006
- BitDefender Internet Security 10.0, Ursula Seymour, PC Advisor, September 21, 2006
eEye Digital Security Blink Personal Edition freeware
Bullguard Internet Security Suite -- Antivirus, firewall and storage
- Firewall for gamers: SteelSecurity, Security Hacks, May 14, 2007
- Bullguard Internet Security, Tim Smith, Computer Active, November 28, 2006
- Bullguard Internet Security 7.0, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, November 20, 2006
- Bullguard isn't all bark and no bytes, Ian Williams, The Inquirer, November 8, 2006
Computer Associates eTrust Internet Security Suite -- Anti-virus (theirs), firewall (now theirs, formerly Zonealarm), anti-spyware (PestPatrol) and anti-spam (Qurb).
- CA Internet Security Suite 2007, Robert Vamosi, CNet, March 2, 2007
- CA Internet Security Suite 2007, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 26, 2006
- CNet review, Jeff Bertolucci, April 26, 2006
- Personal Computer World UK review, Chris Cain, February 10, 2006
ESET Smart Security Beta Test as of May 2007 includes firewall, anti-malware & anti-spam.
- See Scot Finnie's comparative review above.
F-Secure Internet Security 2007 -- Anti-virus and firewall
- F-Secure Internet Security 2007, Dan Sippy, TechTree, March 11, 2007
- Review: F-Secure Internet Security 2007, Simon Williams, Computer Active, January 11, 2007
- F-Secure Internet Security 2007, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, November 3, 2006
- One Sweet Security Suite [F-Secure], Ed Tittel and Justin Korelc, SmallBixPipeline, March 27, 2006
- F-Secure Internet Security 2006, Jeff Bertolucci, CNet, January 27, 2006
Grisoft AVG Internet Security
eEye Blink Personal Internet Security 3.0, one year free trial for north American end users until June 30, 2007, includes firewall, anti-malware, zero-day protection, intrusion prevention, patch tracker...
Iolo System Mechanic Pro includes Panda anti-virus and firewall, SpyHunter anti-spyware, a popup stopper and tools for optimization, PC fix up, system cleanup and maintenance as well as search and recover files, system shield (secure delete), and drive scrubber (wipe entire disk).
- System Shield Internet Security, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, June 25, 2007
- System Mechanic 6 Professional, Barry Brenesal, CNet, February 2, 2006
- Review: Iolo System Mechanic Pro 6, Matthew Harris, TechGage, November 4, 2005
Laplink PCdefense includes real-time protection against spyware and keyloggers, on-demand scanning for malware, disaster recovery, and repair of various system settings.
- Laplink PCDefense, Robert Vamosi, CNet, May 11, 2006
- Review: Laplink PCdefense Security Suite, Jack Germain, NewsFactor, April 5, 2006
- Laplink PCdefense, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, February 15, 2006
McAfee Internet Security -- Personal firewall, anti-virus, surf & chat room for kids, ad blocking, and private information safeguard.
- Review: McAfee Total Protection 2007 internet security, Paul Lester, Computer Active, March 9, 2007
- CNet McAfee 2007 review, Robert Vamosi, January 17, 2007
- Review: McAfee Internet Security 2007 software, Simon Williams, Computer Active, December 11, 2006
- Review: McAfee Total Protection 2007, Tim Smith, Personal Computer World, September 14, 2006
- McAfee Total Protection, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 17, 2006
- McAfee Internet Security Suite 2006 review, Ben Camm-Jones, PC Advisor UK, March 7, 2006
Microsoft Windows Live OneCare -- Firewall, anti-virus...
- The Family Computer: Windows Live OneCare is worth a look, Calvin Ross, Napa Valley Register, June 12, 2007
- The Price Is Right, Security Imperfect [MS OneCare], Rob Pegoraro, Washington Post, June 18, 2006
- Windows Live OneCare, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, June 13, 2006
MicroWorld eScan Internet Security Suite includes firewall, anti-virus, anti-spam, parental and privacy controls, pop-up filter and auto update. See reviews on their site.
Norman Internet Control -- Firewall, antivirus, parental controls...
Panda Platinum Internet Security -- Antivirus, firewall, blocks spam, privacy protection, web content filtering, anti-spyware, PC security diagnosis and repair, and automatic updates.
- Panda Internet Security 2008, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, August 31, 2007
- Review: Panda Platinum 2007, Simon Williams, Computeractive, January 2, 2007
- Review: Panda Internet Security 2007 security suite, Anthony Dhanendran, VNUNET, December 6, 2006
- Review: Panda Internet Security 2007, J.W. Olsen, Dr. Dobb's Portal, October 27, 2006
- Panda Internet Security 2007, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 12, 2006
- Panda antivirus software runs with speed, stealth, Scott May, Columbia Tribune, October 10, 2006
Preventon Secure Internet Desktop -- The standard version includes firewall, antivirus and parental contro. The Pro version adds anti-spyware and anti-dialer.
Steganos Internet Security 2006 -- Personal firewall & anti-virus (from Kaspersky Labs), anti-spyware (from Webroot), anti-spam, anti-dialer and more.
Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 -- Personal firewall, antivirus, spyware protection, fraud defense, wireless network monitoring, home network control, vulnerability assessment, parental controls and Trend Secure services.
- Review: Trend Antivirus 2007 security software, Simon Williams, Computeractive, July 5, 2007
- Staying safe on the Net [PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007], Chong Jinn Ziung, The Star, April 5, 2007
- Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2007, Robert Vamois, CNet, February 28, 2007
- Review: PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 security software, Tim Smith, Computeractive, November 14, 2006
- Review: PC-Cillin Internet Security 2007, Paul Lester, Personal Computer World, October 26, 2006
- Trend Micro Internet Security 2007, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, October 5, 2006
- Review: PC-cillin Internet Security Suite 2007, Tony Briggs, Daytona Beach News-Journal, September 26, 2006
VCOM SystemSuite (formerly OnTrack) with AutoUpdate, Fix-It Utilities, NetDefense (Sygate Firewall), VirusScanner Pro (Trend Micro PC-cillin), CrashProof, EasyUninstall, Crisis Center, DataEraser Personal Edition & PowerDesk Pro.
Utility Suites
Comparative Reviews
- Suite Deals, Smart Computing, March 2007 -- System Suite 7 Professional, WinCleaner Complete PC Care 10, System Mechanic 7 Professional, and Norton SystemWorks Premiere
- The Trouble-Free PC, Lincoln Spector, PC World, January 5, 2004
Iolo System Mechanic Pro is a security and utility suite; see description and reviews in the security suite section above.
Norton SystemWorks, Symantec, with LiveUpdate, AntiVirus, Utilities, CleanSweep, GoBack & Web Cleanup.
- Norton Systemworks 2005 Premier review, Barry Brenesal, CNet, May 4, 2005
VCOM System Suite (formerly OnTrack) is a security and utility suite; see description and reviews in the security suite section above.
WinCleaner Complete PC Care by Business Logic is a security and utility suite
- Computer Power User review, Serdar Yegulalp, January 2006
- Vnunet review, Paul Monckton, Personal Computer World, August 2005
Utility Software Resource Sites -- Freeware, Shareware & Free-Trial
- CNet Download.com
- PC Magazine Utility Downloads
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Spam Stoppers
Consider using an Internet service provider or an email service that includes anti-virus and spam filtering as your first line of defense. An increasing number of Internet service providers (ISP) and email services are offering anti-virus and spam filtering services to their customers. If you need or want to keep your current ISP who does not offer these services, try an email service that does. In addition to or instead of an online service, you can install software on your computer to catch spam. For an overview of the problem, see Stopping Spam, Joshua Goodman, David Heckerman and Robert Rounthwaite, Scientific American, March 28, 2005; and 5 Ways To Lock Up Your E-Mail, Gregg Keizer, Information Week, August 11, 2006.
Comparative Reviews
Individual Product Links & Reviews
- ChoiceMail One, 14 day free trial, $40
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Pick and Choose Your E-Mail [ChoiceMail 2.0], Larry Seltzer, PC Magazine, December 12, 2003
- PC Magazine review, May 27, 2003
- Block That Spam! Andrew Gluck, Advisor, March 25, 2003
- Halt! Who Spams There? Walter Mossberg, Smart Money, March 11, 2003
- CleanMessage online spam and virus filtering service, 30 day free trial
- Comodo AntiSpam Desktop 2005 freeware
- Ella for Spam Control Open Field Software, 15 day free trial available, $40
- iHateSpam for Outlook (not Express) Sunbelt Software, 30 day free trial, $20
- InBoxer, 21 day free trial, $25
- McAfee SpamKiller (bought from Novasoft), $40
- PC Magazine review, Neil Rubenking, PC Magazine, September 14, 2004
- Qurb for Outlook, $25
- SpamCatcher, Mailshell, web-based service $3 per month, desktop version $20 per year, Outlook version and universal for Outlook Express, Eudora, Netscape Messenger and most POP email clients.
- SpamFighter, freeware and pro versions
- SpamNix for Eudora, 30 day free trial, $30
- Vanquish vqME $25 per year
- PC Magazine review, Vanquish vqME, Neil Rubenking, May 16, 2006
Resource Sites
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Linux & BSD Internet Security
Articles
Links
Anti-Trojan Guide
The purpose of our anti-Trojan guide is to provide information about software that detects Trojan horses, removes them and repairs damage caused by them. Important Tips: An anti-Trojan product should be used in addition to, but not instead of, anti-virus, anti-spyware or zero-day protection software. After installing anti-Trojan software, immediately check for updates at the vendor's site and turn on the auto update feature (if it has one).
Articles
- Microsoft sees botnets as top cyber-threat, Robert McMillan, IDG News Service, Computer World, December 27, 2006
- The Jealous Trojan, James Maguire, eSecurityPlanet, October 27, 2006
- Is It Really Too Late to Beat Bots? Larry Seltzer, eWeek, October 25, 2006
- Microsoft: Bot, Trojan Infections High; Rootkits Low, Ryan Naraine, eWeek, October 24, 2006
- Zombies continue to chase Windows PCs, Joris Evers, CNet, October 24, 2006
- Viruses, Phishing, and Trojans For Profit, Kelly Martin, Security Focus, October 24, 2006
- The future of malware: Trojan horses, Joris Evers, CNet, October 13, 2006
- Next-Gen Bank Trojans Are Upon Us, Sean Kerner, eSecurityPlanet, June 23, 2006
- Microsoft: Trojans, Bots Are 'Significant and Tangible Threat', Ryan Naraine, eWeek, June 12, 2006
- MMORPG Trojans Abound, Mary Landesman, antivirus.about.com, February 28, 2006
- Coming to Your PC's Back Door: Trojans, Brian Grow, Business Week, January 23, 2006
- From Melissa to Zotob: 10 Years of Windows Worms, Ryan Naraine, eWeek, August 24, 2005
How-To
- Malware Removal and Prevention, Castlecops Wiki, February 2006
- Curing Malware Infections, Laurie Rowell & Dan Bacon, TechBuilder, February 20, 2006
- Removing Stubborn Infectors, Mary Landesman, antivirus.about.com, February 3, 2006
Comparative Reviews
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Optix Faceoff, Morgud, October 22, 2005
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Bigger Threats, Better Defense, Mary Landesman, PC World, May 11, 2004, includes anti-trojan testing of Eset NOD32, Grisoft AVG, McAfee, Panda, Norton & PC-cillin
- Best Anti-Trojan Programs -- top eight out of forty-two are Trojan Hunter for most users, TDS-3 for experienced users (discontinued as of July 27, 2005), plus Ewido, a2, The Cleaner, BOClean, Tauscan, and PestPatrol, Tech Support Alert, last updated May 2004.
Free Anti-Trojan Software & Services
- a2 free download or online scanner
- Astonsoft free anti-trojans (each one removes one type of trojan)
- AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 [formerly ewido] download, pro features last 14 days, then reverts to the limited free version unless registration code is purchased; see review link below.
- Pestpatrol free version
- WindowSecurity.com TrojanScan online
- See our Anti-Virus page for links to anti-virus freeware and online services.
Anti-Trojan Payware
- a2 personal, $40, 30 day free trial, includes scanner, cleaning engine, background guard, advanced IDS, system firewall, analysis tools, and automatic update
- BOClean, $40, Privacy Software Corporation
- The Cleaner, 30 day free trial, $50, MooSoft
- AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 [formerly ewido pro] $30, 14 day trial, then reverts to the limited feature free version. Purchased by Grisoft in April 2006.
- PC DoorGuard, AstonSoft, 30 day free trial, $30.
- PestPatrol, $30. Note: See reviews on our anti-spyware page.
- Tauscan, 30 day free trial, $15 for one year, Agnitum
- PC Magazine review, Craig Ellison, June 11, 2002
- Trojan Defense Suite (TDS-3), Diamond Computer, was discontinued as of July 27, 2005
- TrojanHunter, Mischel Internet Security, $49, 30 day free trial
- Trojan Remover, Simply Super Software, $30, 30 day free trial available
- PC Magazine review, Craig Ellison, June 11, 2002
Trojan Horse Detection Tests
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Personal Firewall Reviews
After important tips and comparative reviews, this page provides links to vendors and reviews of over sixty personal firewall products.
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2 Top Products -- Sunbelt/Kerio & ZoneAlarm Pro
21 More Choices -- BlackIce, Bullguard, CA, Comodo, F-Secure, Jetico, Kaspersky, Lavasoft, Look'n'Stop, McAfee, Net, Outpost, Panda, PC-cillin, pcInternet Patrol, Preventon, PrivateFirewall, Terminet, VisNetic, Webroot & Windows XP
9 Not Reviewed Yet -- 8Signs, Iolo, Norman, PC Tools, Prisma, R-Firewall, Rising, Sphinx [Software] & TheGreenBow
29 Gone or Fading Away -- Armor2net, Checkit, ConSeal, eSafe, Fireball, Firekeys, Firewall X-treme, Freedom, Hackersmacker & The Shield, HackTracer, InJoy, Internet Firewall 2000, Mindsoft, Netveda, Norton, Omniguad, PC Viper, Primedius, NeoWatch, Safeworld Hacker Stopper, SecurePoint, SecureUP, SoftPerfect, Sphinx (BioData), Surf Secret, Sygate, Tiny & VirusMD |
Important Tips
- Check Windows -- Before installing personal firewall software on a Windows XP computer, be sure that the firewall built into the Windows XP operating system is turned off.
- Just One, Not Two -- Never use two software firewalls at the same time. Completely uninstall one before installing another. Use the vendor's uninstall utility or if not available, use the Windows XP add/remove software tool in the control panel. You can use a hardware firewall including a Wired Router, Wireless Router or Broadband Gateway.
- Patches & Updates -- As soon as your firewall is installed, check the vendor's website for patches and updates. If the firewall offers an automatic update function, turn it on.
- Testing -- After you install a firewall, be sure to check it with a service like the Security Space Desktop Audit to make sure that it is configured correctly. Testing your firewall is the only sure way to tell that your computer is really being protected.
- Prices -- See our custom Personal Firewall Price List powered by Amazon.com
Comparative reviews of personal firewall software:
- Scot Finnie, Scot's Newsletter:
- Firewalls, Consumer Search, December 2006, a summary of 26 reviews of 29 products
- Windows Personal Firewall Analysis, Matousec, October 31, 2006 -- ZoneAlarm Pro, Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall, Norton Personal Firewall, BlackICE PC Protection & Outpost Firewall Pro
- Software Labs: Personal Firewalls, Computer Shopper, PC PRO UK, June 2006 -- Sunbelt, Norton, F-Secure, Kaspersky, Steganos, Agnitum, BlackICE, Zonealarm, PC-cillin, McAfee, Bullguard & Panda
- Safety First: 5 Firewalls For Your Desktop PC, Serdar Yegulalp, Information Week, August 16, 2006 -- McAfee, Microsoft, Norton, Trend Micro & ZoneAlarm
2 Top Picks Personal Firewalls
Sunbelt/Kerio Personal Firewall includes packet filter, file integrity control, application communication and launch controls, network and host-based intrusion prevention systems, identity theft protection, script, referrer, cookies, ad and pop-up windows blocking, and statistics. Free download, full function for 30 days, then reverts to the free version features or pay $20 to keep all features.
- Personal Computer World review, Paul Rowlingson, July 20, 2006
- Terry's Computer Tips review, March 20, 2006
ZoneAlarm Pro  from CheckPoint (they bought Zone Labs) includes network, program and operating system firewalls, identify theft protection, anti-spyware, privacy protection, game mode, essential email security, wireless PC protection, and smart defense service (but no antivirus). For reviews of the ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite see our Suites page (it includes antivirus).
- ZoneAlarm for Windows Vista Released, Brian Krebs, Security Fix, Washington Post, June 13, 2007
- ZoneAlarm Pro 6.5, Robert Vamosi, CNet, June 5, 2006 -- Editor's Choice
- ZoneAlarm Gripes, Michael Horowitz, ComputerGripes.com
More Personal Firewalls
These are listed in alpha order and have been reviewed.
BlackICE PC Protection, Internet Security Systems (they purchased NetworkICE in 2001). Latest release was 3.6 in September 2004 (?).
Bullguard Suite -- Antivirus, firewall and storage. See our Suites page for reviews
CA Personal Firewall, Computer Associates
Comodo Personal Firewall, freeware
F-Secure Internet Security includes anti-virus and firewall. See our Suites page for reviews.
Jetico Personal Firewall for 32/64-bit Windows v.2.0.0.33 is $40 as of May 31, 2007; Freeware for Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP v.1.0.1.6.1 last updated July 19, 2005.
Kaspersky Anti-Hacker is not available as a stand alone product, it's now a part of their Internet security suite, see reviews on our Suites page
Lavasoft Personal Firewall
Look'n'Stop Soft4Ever
McAfee Personal Firewall Plus (vendor's site). The firewall is based on the former Signal 9 ConSeal Private Desktop which was acquired by McAfee in 1999. It is not available as a stand alone product, it's now a part of their Internet security suite, see reviews on our Suites page
NeT Firewall, NT Resources Kernel
- Vnunet.com review, Paul Rowlingosn, February 15, 2005
Norman Personal Firewall, see review of Norman Internet Control on our Suites page.
OutpostPro Firewall, Agnitum
Panda Platinum Internet Security has antivirus, firewall, blocks spam, privacy protection, web content filtering, anti-spyware, PC security diagnosis and repair, and automatic updates. See our Suites page for reviews.
PC-cillin Internet Security -- Antivirus, firewall, and anti-spam. See our Suites page for reviews.
pcInternet Patrol
Preventon
PrivateFirewall, Privacyware
- SnapFiles (formerly WebAttack) review, August 3, 2001
- FireWall.net review
TermiNet, Infotecs
- Vnunet review, Kyle MacRae, March 10, 2001
VisNetic Firewall, Deerfield
Webroot Desktop Firewall
Windows Firewall, Microsoft, free, built into Windows XP-SP2 and Vista
Personal Firewall Products Not Reviewed
Product descriptions on software download sites do not qualify as reviews. Nor do end user write ups on sites like Epinions because they seldom include firewall testing.
8Signs Note: Replaces the ConSeal PC Firewall that was acquired by McAfee in 1999.
Ashampoo Firewall
Iolo Personal Firewall
PC Tools Firewall Plus -- freeware
Preventon Firewall Pro
Prisma Firewall
R-Firewall -- freeware
Rising Personal Firewall 2007
Sphinx Software Vista Firewall Control [free & paid versions] and XP Firewall Control [paid]
TheGreenBow
Fading Away or Gone Completely
Armor2net last update was in 2003 (?)
CheckIT Firewall, Smith Micro Software product not listed
ConSeal PC Firewall, replaced by 8Signs, conversion tool available
eSafe Desktop, Aladdin Knowledge Systems, no longer available or supported
Fireball Cyber Protection Suite, Redcannon, product not listed
Firekeys, Software Appliance Company, product not listed
Firewall X-treme, StompSoft, product not listed
Freedom Personal Firewall, Zero Knowledge, no longer available
HackerSmacker not listed
HackTracer, Sharp Technology, not listed (NeoWatch by Neoworx was a related product)
InJoy last update 2005 (?)
Internet Firewall 2000, gone, not recommended by reviewers
- SysOpt.com review, Robert Richmond, November 4, 2000
Mindsoft Firewall, gone, not recommended by reviewers
Netveda Safety.Net last update was in 2005 (?), free & pro versions
Norton Personal Firewall 2006 from Symantec is not available as a separate product as of April 2007. It is still included in their Internet security suite, see our suites page.
Omniguad last site update 2005 (?)
PC Viper, Source Velocity, gone
Primedius gone
NeoWatch, NeoWorx was purchased by McAfee in Fall 2001, related to HackTracer
Safeworld Hacker Stopper gone
SecurePoint Personal Firewall not listed
SecureUp Personal Firewall gone
The Shield Firewall not listed as a separate product
SoftPerfect Personal Firewall latest version March 11, 2005
Sphinx, BioData, went out of business
Surf Secret Personal Firewall, SurfSecret last release June 23, 2004
Sygate Personal Firewall -- Symantec Shelves Sygate Personal Firewall, Paul Roberts, eWeek, November 28, 2005. Sygate was purchased by Symantec (Norton) in August 2005.
Tiny Firewall (acquired by CA, June 2005)
VirusMD Personal Firewall, gone, not recommended by reviewers
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