Previously I’ve answered your question on my opinion about which is the best antivirus program. After that article, people has started asking me which one is the best firewall that can protect their computer from hackers. Honestly, I’ve never tried any firewall software before because I don’t want to put any more load on my computer. Even if I have experience with some firewall products, I can never be qualified to judge which is the best firewall program. However, I will still try my best to answer your question.
I found a website called Matousec and they run a project called Firewall Challenge. This project examines personal firewalls, Internet security suites and other similar products for Windows OS that implement process-based security. They have the best answer on which firewall software gives the best protection against spying, data and identity theft.
Matousec tested 25 products with Security Software Testing Suite. SSTS is a set of tools used for testing personal firewalls and Internet security suites for Windows. SSTS is based on the idea of leak-tests, small independent programs that attempt to bypass an outbound protection of the security software. SSTS also consists of many independent programs that test specific features. SSTS is published with its source code, which makes the testing as transparent as possible.
Here are the 25 personal firewall or security suite that has been put to test:
AVG Internet Security 8.0.93 Avira Premium Security Suite 8.1.00.206 BitDefender Internet Security 2008 11.0.16 BullGuard Internet Security 8.0.0.13 Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.21.329 – FREE ESET Smart Security 3.0.621.0 Filseclab Personal Firewall 3.0.0.8686 – FREE FortKnox Personal Firewall 2008 3.0.195.0 iolo Personal Firewall 1.5.2.7 Jetico Personal Firewall 2.0.1.5.2216 Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0.1.325 Look ‘n’ Stop 2.06 McAfee Internet Security Suite 2008 9.1.108 Norton Internet Security 2008 15.5.0.23 Online Armor Personal Firewall 2.1.0.119 – FREE Outpost Firewall Pro 2008 6.0.2302.264.0490 PC Tools Firewall Plus 3.0.1.9 – FREE Privatefirewall 6.0.11.30 ProSecurity 1.43 Rising Personal Firewall 2007 19.66.0.0 Steganos Internet Security 2008 7.5.509 Sunbelt Personal Firewall 4.5.916 System Safety Monitor 2.3.0.612 Windows Live OneCare 2.0.2500.22 ZoneAlarm Pro 7.0.462.000
I was surprised by the result of the tests because the only 2 product that scored perfect (100%) against 62 tests are Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.21.329 and Online Armor Personal Firewall 2.1.0.119 which is FREEWARE. This test results really puts those paid firewall software to shame… As for Kaspersky Internet Security, it manage to take the 5th place which is pretty good. You can check out the results at this page.
It’s very hard for me to tell you which firewall would work better because every computer is different. Some would have better performance with Comodo Firewall and some Online Armor. It’d be an endless debate if trying to compare which is better. If you don’t believe me, try doing a search in Google on “Comodo Firewall vs Online Armor” and you’ll find that there are some forums that has a discussion on this topic up to 8 pages long with no conclusion. As far as I can see, Online Armor has an older but easier to use interface. As for Comodo, it has a better looking interface with many settings. Comodo supports Windows Vista but Online Armor don’t. One thing I don’t like about free version of shareware is some features will be disabled.
Why don’t you try both Comodo Firewall and Online Armor and tell me which you prefer and why. Just remember not to run both Firewall at the same time. You can either uninstall either one or simply disable it.
[ Download Comodo Firewall PRO | Online Armor FREE ]
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Zonealarm security suit is expires
The key (generated) doesnt work any more..
Any solutions experts
Sygate is still my favorite.
Someone with proven that this ranking?
Thx for the tests, I’ll check Comodo if I’ll ever abandon Sygate Personal Firewall Pro (great firewall, IMHO).
Thanks bro for your infos & time.
I can’t believe Norton has performed so poorly…. I’m definitely switching to Kaspersky next year, ’cause Norton SUCKS!!!!!!!
thanks raymond. i am using zonealarm. but it didn’t pass the leak test. i think i will use the comodo. thanks again.
I’m surprised at KIS, it seemed pretty awesome at all the stuff it detected.
Once again Ray – thanks for a hugely valuable piece of “heads up” ! You ARE my first port of call when I have a problem.
I use Sygate on some machines (even though on installation it now takes you to a dead page) and so far it hasn’t failed. I also use Comodo on others and so far am well pleased. The tests have repositioned several firewall products and NONE scored 100%.
With a nod to the very high regard we all hold for your professional opinion … may I request that you give us the benefit of your opinion on remoting software please? I use the free VNC but am deeply suspicious of its apparant attempts to communicate with the outside world when not in use. I have also looked at “Log-me-in” and Crossloop but am unhappy with some aspects of them. Your opinion will be VERY much appreciated.
COMODO is the best firewall. But then again, it uses HIPS to help pass the tests. Most security suites don’t do well in leak tests because they don’t use HIPS so it is easy for people to use.
Sygate Pro !! Symantec can blow me hardcore, bunch of f@gs
انا المفضل لدية هو bitdefender لا اتخل عنه ابدا
كما انه يقوم بعمله على اكمل وجه
Have tried both recently . . . ended up with CommodoPro, mainly because the only way to update OnlineArmor is to download the entire program again, not good if you’re stuck with dial-up . . . and OA seemed to release new versions every week or two.
The straw that broke the camels back . . . I told OA not to allow something to load, interface agreed, then loaded it anyway. Not it’s job! I’ll make my own final decisions on what is allowed to happen on my PC.
O&O Defrag Professional Edition(not a freeware) is a good tool to defragnment your disk
Auslogics Disk Defrag(freewares),Diskeeper Lite are also good
Good question Rusty. After some virus managed to get in my computer through USB flash drive, I’ve decided to install Kaspersky Internet Security. Those are nasty viruses that infects all my executables and disinfection causes the executable file to corrupt.
Although I do have an Internet security suite software installed, but all protection is turned off. I only run a scan once every month or when I suspect something is wrong with my Windows system.
Ray i am curious. You donot use AV, or firewall, so what do you use to protect your PC. I am sure you are experienced enough to remove any virus you may get manually. But what about the virus’s that run in the back ground mysteriously slowing Down the PC these are the ones i have problems with.
@James: That’s why I said some software might work better on some machine. The test they did is to see how good are the firewalls to protect against current threats, but not compatibility test.
Having the MOST downloads doesn’t mean anything. What about the free AVG AntiVirus? It has the most downloads but it is not necessarily better than other free antivirus programs.
LoL
Foolish results
Comodo even fails many-a-times even at loading at startup
Taking 1st place means how foolish the testing may be
pcworld.com/downloads/collection/collid,59-order,1-c,downloads/files.html
See this link for most no of downloads
I have one care installed and I must say that it SUCKS!!! it is not good at all since my computer crashed yesterday for no reason and my hp advisor recognizes it as no firewall installed!! Da!!!
I installed zone alarm last night. Works fine for me. I’ll wait for the updated results before i try any other company!
Thanks.
Question: Any good disk defragmenter out there Ray?
Hi
I tried Comodo Firewall and it truly rocks. The new feature Defense plus also helps a lot to stop invaders.
Hey! Nice find Ray! I was just searching for a new and good firewall for the past 2 weeks. Now that you have wrote this article, I’ll try out the 2 new freeware firewalls that are on top. Just installed Comodo and testing it out. Thanx Ray!!
Wow, more tests are being carried out. There are a total of 73 now instead of 62. Let’s wait till all products has been tested to see whether will Online Armor continue to take the second place. Comodo still looks good.
I use Comodo, simply put, it works, it’s free, and I really like how easy it is to block some apps from accessing the internet.
Raymond plz update your post, online armor are no longer in the second place
Comodo’s nice. I use it. It saved me quite a few times. Also has defense+ to protect against most spyware and viruses.
Hey Ray could you please find out the best disk defragmenter…thanx in advance…
Sygate Personal Firewall is my favourite. Haven’t found a better firewall. Symentech bought it and then killed it.
Personally, I would go for those that scored slightly above average, based on my personal experience, an extremely good firewall might be somewhat too protective, causing some legitimate programs to be blocked and vice versa.
@darkkosmos: Wouldn’t it be great if firewalls can detect all those tests which you said are for antivirus?
In my opinion Sunbelt is a good choice for a home user
I used Comondo before and it works pretty well and feature are good enough. its sad that the Online armor feature are limited for free version
I\’m using Comodo but version 2.4
the 3.0 version is good protection but you will see a lot of program\\\’s popup
both r good
but they make ur pc to slow
I definitely have to agree with Qnorsten (#1). Sygate Pro is (was) an excellent piece of software which I still use in my XP installations. Lightweight , unintrusive, informative (you can even review a the content of the packets) and with lots of possibilities for setting advance rules. One of the features I like most is the capability for “application firewall”: any program that might want to reach the net or that might want to use an already authorized program to access the net is blocked and you are asked to permit it once or forever (great also to avoid ‘call-home’ from your favourite downloaded programs ;-) . Also if the binary changes (like for example a virus, or maybe a simple upgrade), you are reasked again to authorize it to reach the net as Sygate detects the checksum of the binary is different.
Really too bad that Symantec bought the company just to ditch it and kill the competence. Norton Firewall stinks…
Strange, look at the detection table.
* Level 1 – Breakout2, Coat, ECHOtest, Kill1, Kill2, Leaktest, PerfTCP, PerfUDP, Tooleaky, Wallbreaker1, Yalta
* Level 2 – AWFT1, DNStest, Ghost, Jumper, Kill3, Kill3b, Kill6, Wallbreaker3, Wallbreaker4
* Level 3 – AWFT3, AWFT4, DNStester, Kill3f, Kill4, Kill7, SSS2, Suspend1, Thermite
* Level 4 – CopyCat, CPIL, CPILSuite1, Keylog1, Kill3e, Kill8, Kill9, SSS, Suspend2
* Level 5 – Breakout1, CPILSuite2, Crash1, Crash2, Crash3, Keylog2, Kill3c, Kill3d, VBStest
* Level 6 – CPILSuite3, DDEtest, ECHOtest2, FireHole, Flank, Keylog3, Keylog4, Kill10, Kill11, Runner
* Level 7 – BITStest, Keylog5, Keylog6, OSfwbypass, Runner2, Schedtest, SSS3
* Level 8 – Keylog7, Kill5, NewClass, Schedtest2, SockSnif, SSS4
* Level 9 – Driver Verifier
* Level 10 – BSODhook, ShadowHook
Most of the stuff here are for antiviruses not firewalls
Wow, Ray,
i thought that Zonealarm was teh best…I am actually sad that it is not numero uno…anyway thanks dude, you are the best.
Love
Vanamali.s
Thanks Ray
My favorite firewall is Sygate pro firewall it is old. (they got buyed out by symantech) But it still works as a charm . It blockes everything that you haven’t told it to allow