INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Best free firewall softwareIn the 1990s, Microsoft had a problem: Windows seemed to suffer from endless security problems that hackers and
other online villains were quick to exploit
dodgy software couldn't sneak onto your PC.So Microsoft began building its own firewall into Windows, but there has been ongoing controversy
That remains the case today, with the potential for cyber-attacks still very much a danger, and the promise that third-party software can
make your system even more secure
These are the firewall apps we think you should consider using no matter which version of Windows you're running.Most of us run a hardware
firewall on our router, and a software firewall on our Windows PC
Some antivirus providers bundle a firewall with their free antivirus software, while others only include one with their premium security
updatesIntegrated online backupRequires email address for activationFor many of us, ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 2018 was the app that introduced
us to firewalls in the first place, and it was a must-have app back in the days when Windows effectively told the internet "Hack me! I'm
easy!"The current version of ZoneAlarm Free Firewall hides open ports, identifies potentially dodgy traffic, disables malicious programs and
connects to DefenseNet, which provides real-time security updates as new threats are detected
It also protects your computer on public Wi-Fi networks, and offers 5GB of online data backup via IDrive.When you're installing the
software, read through each step carefully if you don't want to set Yahoo as your default homepage; the 'Customize installation' option is
You'll also need to submit an email address to activate the firewall, though ZoneAlarm promises not to share it with any third parties
If that isn't an issue for you, ZoneAlarm Free Firewall is the best free firewall you can download.2
Comodo Free FirewallAn effective solution with easy sandboxing to stop malware in its tracksSandbox for less secure programsMonitors for
realizing.Comodo Free Firewall sits in a small window at the top right of your desktop, providing one-click access to sandboxed versions of
Chrome, Firefox and Comodo Browser for safer surfing
(allowing incoming traffic, outgoing traffic, both, or neither)
Viruscope monitors the behavior of processes for anything that looks suspicious (though your regular antivirus software probably has this
covered), and website filtering enables you to block certain sites.Comodo Free Firewall will also offer to set Yahoo as your homepage, but
the checkbox is much easier to see and untick than ZoneAlarm's
It will also suggest making its own secure Comodo Dragon your default browser and importing your settings from Chrome
You can't opt out of installing the browser, but you can choose not to use it.Comodo Free Firewall will offer to change your DNS (domain
name resolution service) provider to Comodo Secure DNS for more faster, safer browsing.3
GlassWireA well-designed, information-packed firewall to boost your securityDisplays network traffic usageCan block individual programsScans
apps for suspicious behaviorNot very user-friendlyGlassWire is a slick looking free firewall that shows you exactly which programs are
sending and receiving data over your network, and how much, making it easy to identify anything unusual
There's a huge amount of information available, which might seem alarming at first, but you can clear all of GlassWire's logs in a few
actual fact, GlassWire is really just an interface built on top of the Windows firewall, so while certainly more attractive (and
monitoring of your webcam and microphone, storing records for more than a month, and monitoring multiple remote connections, but for basic
use the free edition is superb.4
TinyWallA neat little app that gives you extra control of Windows' own firewallNo annoying pop-upsSimple and clean interfaceRequires manual
intervention to vet appsTinyWall is better known for what it doesn't do than what it does: unlike some free firewalls it doesn't interrupt
you with pop-up warnings about what seems to be every second bit of data.TinyWall (now on version 2.1) is designed to improve Windows' own
Windows' built-in security tool.5
OpenDNS HomeCustomizable filters to protect your personal data at a router levelAlternate approach to firewall securityCan be used to
to your router's settings so it connects to the internet via OpenDNS' servers
That means the protection applies to any device on your network, which is useful in today's hyper-connected homes and businesses.OpenDNS
Home automatically blocks known offenders and offers a range of content filtering options to keep the kids away from filth, too, and it
helps prevent phishing attacks
The service is free, and there are full setup instructions for every kind of device.Find out how Windows 10 makes the most of its security
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