Free firewall. Review of the seven best. What is the best firewall for Windows? Best firewalls test review
Most users, when deciding on computer security, limit themselves to installing commercial or, believing that this is quite enough for “one hundred percent” protection. However, this is not quite true.
The Internet is full of dangers and in most cases, it is through the network that malicious applications penetrate the computer, and then, having nestled in, they themselves begin to transfer the personal data of an unsuspecting user to the network, or use the computer to distribute spam or as a proxy server.
Therefore, it is so important that each computer also has a good firewall installed, or as they also say, a firewall. In this short review we bring to your attention seven best free firewalls: Ashampoo Firewall Free, PC Tools Firewall Plus, Emsisoft Online Armor Free, ZoneAlarm Free Firewall, Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition, Outpost Firewall Free and Comodo Firewall. The choice is yours.
Ashampoo Firewall Free
First on our list is Ashampoo Firewall Free. Like most programs developed by the company, this firewall has a convenient and colorful interface with Russian language support and a built-in settings wizard.
To use the program, you must go through a simple registration procedure on the manufacturer’s website. In this case, a free code will be sent to the user's mailbox, which can be used to register Ashampoo Firewall.
Immediately after installation, the wizard will offer you a choice of one of two modes: “Simplified” and “Expert”. In most cases, it is recommended to use Expert mode.
The program has five main modules or sections. In the “Rules” section you can configure connection parameters for programs that use the Internet. The “Statistics” and “Journal” modules are purely informational. Here you can view data about all connections and events.
The “Configuration” module is intended for internal settings of the firewall itself. The “Utilities” section contains four additional tools, namely, a process manager, a utility for clearing Internet surfing history, and a pop-up blocker.
Ashampoo Firewall Free works approximately as follows: when an application for which there are no established rules tries to establish a connection, the firewall notifies the user about this, offering to create a new rule for this program, that is, allow or block its access to the network.
When you disable this function (learning mode), the dialog will not be shown, and all applications for which no rules have been set will be blocked automatically. You can also use the “Block all” option. In this case, the firewall will block all connections without exception.
PC Tools Firewall Plus
Next, we recommend that you pay attention to an excellent firewall called PC Tools Firewall Plus. Simple, free, with Russian language support, this firewall is one of the most reliable and effective, according to numerous user reviews. PC Tools Firewall Plus protects the system from unauthorized data transmission by Trojans, keyloggers and others malware, and also prevents them from penetrating the computer.
Also supported flexible management network traffic, creating your own rules, protecting settings with a password, hiding the presence of a PC on the network. The program is easy to install and does not require registration and system reboot as is the case with Ashampoo Firewall.
Connection parameters are configured in manual mode. It is advisable to do this immediately after installing the program, since by default PC Tools Firewall Plus marks some applications as unverified and therefore may partially block their operation. The firewall user interface has six to five main sections.
The Applications module is designed to manage programs and create rules for them. You can create a list of tested ports and IP addresses in the “Profiles” section, and if you want to analyze network traffic, you can switch to the “Operation” section. IN general settings You can adjust the level of protection, set up filtering, full-screen mode, and also set a password to protect PC Tools Firewall Plus itself.
Emsisoft Online Armor Free
Third place on our list is free firewall from Emsisoft GmbH called Online Armor Free. The program has a fairly impressive set of protection tools against all kinds of online threats, as well as blocking malware that uses the Internet. Online Armor Free includes four main protection modules: firewall, web filter, proactive protection and anti-keylogger.
Firewall and web filter provide reliable protection from leaking information from the user’s computer, and also stop attempts of unauthorized access to the system by malicious scripts.
The proactive protection module allows you to control the behavior of programs and, if necessary, limit their activities.
Online Armor Free automatically scans the system for potential dangerous applications and marks them accordingly. The firewall uses updated online databases to determine the security level of applications installed on the system.
Online Armor Free has a fairly simple and convenient interface with support for the Russian language. The main menu is located on the left side of the working window, the program status and date are displayed on the right side last update bases, as well as last news from the developer's website. Online Armor Free supports creating rules for programs, managing ports and devices, creating lists of ignored domains, controlling the startup of suspicious applications, as well as controlling permissions to change the HOSTS file.
The firewall's capabilities also include protection against spam, keyloggers, cookie blocking, site classification, and protection against forced address changes. home page Internet browsers Explorer, Opera and Firefox. From additional features Applications include support for virtual desktops, subnet scanning, as well as disabling HIPS and setting a password on the GUI.
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
If the lack of the Russian language does not bother you, you can pay attention to ZoneAlarm Free Firewall - a very unique firewall in terms of design, designed to protect PCs when working on global and local networks.
The application has an easy interface with a minimum number of settings. Supports control of user programs (access list), Internet traffic tracking, checking email attachments, detailed logging, blocking pop-up windows and advertising banners.
In addition, the program implements a cookie control function, thanks to which you can limit the transmission confidential information to the websites you are browsing. The user can set the protection level independently. You can download the ZoneAlarm web installer completely free from the developer’s website.
During the installation process of the package, in addition to the firewall, a number of additional protection tools are also installed - Web Identity Protections (web lock), Identity Protections (personal identification) and Online Backup ( backup). After installing the firewall, you need to restart your computer.
Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition
Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition is another free, convenient and very simple firewall. The program supports creating individual rules for programs using a step-by-step wizard, filtering network access, viewing connections in real time, keeping logs, and monitoring traffic. Filseclab Personal Firewall responds to attempts by “doubtful” or new applications to open a connection by displaying a pop-up window asking you to create a corresponding rule.
The program uses three main security levels, each of which is marked with a corresponding color: green, yellow and red. In addition, for each level it is possible to create personal rules. Filseclab Personal Firewall has a fairly simple interface divided into seven sections.
The “Status” section displays the volume of traffic and the number of transmitted packets; “Monitor” displays the listening ports and application connections.
In the Rules section, you can set rules for a specific application or domain.
The remaining sections are of an informative nature. There is no Russian language in Filseclab Personal.
Outpost Firewall Free
The next firewall, Outpost Firewall Free, is perhaps one of the simplest and least demanding firewall systems. In this respect, it is akin to the standard Windows firewall, which, as a rule, is constantly present in the system and does not show itself :).
Outpost Firewall is a fairly easy-to-use program designed to protect against external intrusions, as well as unauthorized transfer of data by applications installed on the user’s computer. Unlike other firewalls, Outpost Firewall Free requires virtually no preliminary configuration.
The application supports monitoring of all incoming and outgoing connections, tracking software activity in real time, and extensibility using built-in modules. In the event of a threat or network activity of “dubious” programs, Outpost Firewall will notify the user about this and offer to allow or block the application that has declared itself.
Outpost Firewall Free has a very simple user interface, not burdened with “extra” functions. Russian language, unfortunately, is missing.
However, this is not so important - the program is simple enough that even a novice user can understand it. A few settings allow you to adjust the level of protection if necessary (up to completely blocking connections), as well as create exclusion rules for various programs and services.
Comodo Firewall
And finally, we suggest you briefly familiarize yourself with another free firewall, Comodo Firewall. This powerful, feature-rich program with an impressive set of tools is initially bundled with Comodo Antivirus, Comodo Defense and the Dragon web browser, but can also be installed separately.
The firewall provides complete protection against hacker attacks, Trojans, malicious scripts, keyloggers and other types of Internet threats. The application supports monitoring of incoming and outgoing traffic, working with ports, hiding a computer on the network, monitoring software and driver updates
Additional firewall functions include maintaining a detailed event log, integration into the Windows Security Center, quick switching between modes (from the system tray), system protection during startup, detection of unidentified files, viewing active processes and launching applications in a special sandbox (Sandbox).
With such a solid set of tools, Comodo Firewall has a simple Russian-language interface aimed at users inexperienced in network settings. All tools and functions of the application are distributed among four modules, and each option has a corresponding description.
Plus, the program is equipped with a system of interactive dialogues (pop-up windows), written in an extremely simple and understandable language for a novice user.
Bottom line
Choosing a good firewall can seem like a daunting task. And to make this job easier, let me give you a few free advice. First, when choosing a firewall, pay attention to the opinion experienced users and software testing specialists. As a rule, a really good firewall leaves a lot of positive reviews.
Secondly, a good firewall should not enter into unreasonable conflicts with system drivers, popular applications and antiviruses, and also be able to work with Windows Security Center.
The presence of updated databases is also very desirable. In addition, a good firewall cannot be easily disabled from the Task Manager (this can be done with Filseclab Personal Firewall).
Thirdly, the firewall should not slow down the system in any way. For example, in this regard, the ZoneAlarm firewall seriously loses, since it is quite demanding on system resources and can slow down the work of a weak machine.
Also before final choice It is advisable to test the firewall using a special program 2ip Firewall Tester. Everything else, such as the presence of the Russian language, user-friendliness of the interface, external design, is secondary.
It's no secret that most users limit themselves to protecting their computer by installing an antivirus, forgetting that in addition to the threat of PC infection, there is a threat of using the victim computer as a bot machine.
Therefore, to more fully protect your computer, in addition to installing an antivirus, we recommend installing a firewall, firewall or firewall - these are all names for the same software.
Ashampoo Firewall
The first in our review will be a product from German developers – Ashampoo Firewall.
The product is activated by entering a code that is sent to the user’s mailbox after registering on the developer’s website.
Immediately after installation, you will be asked to configure the program according to the available simplified “Easy Mode” or advanced mode “Expert Mode”.
The principle of the firewall is as follows: for each application, an allowing or denying rule must be generated, which is processed by the firewall.
If an application for which a rule is not assigned attempts to establish a connection, the firewall warns the user - offering to create a rule.
This statement is true when the firewall is in learning mode.
When this mode is disabled, applications for which no rules are assigned will be blocked automatically.
Advantages:
Free;
Low consumption of system resources;
Friendly user interface;
Semi-automatic configuration is possible.
Flaws:
Not compatible with some antiviruses;
The firewall is installed without entering any passwords or registering, as is the case with Ashampoo Firewall.
Rules for application access are created manually.
We recommend not to postpone this procedure until later, because... After installation, Ashampoo Firewall may remember some applications and programs as unverified, as a result of which the latter may not work correctly or not work at all.
Advantages:
Free;
Simple and reliable.
Flaws:
Lack of updates;
Lack of Russian-language interface;
Manual setting.
Comodo Firewall
Unlike its predecessors, we have a fairly powerful, multifunctional firewall, which is paired with an antivirus - Comodo Antivirus.
The firewall database is quite impressive and contains information on more than 13 thousand programs that have security risks.
The set of functions is standard - protection against Trojans, malicious scripts, support for monitoring incoming/outgoing traffic, as well as network activity installed programs, DLL libraries, the ability to hide a computer on the network, control over software and driver updates.
Note! Additional features are a detailed report of system events, integration into the Windows Security Center, the ability to run applications in a specially designated environment for their safe execution - a sandbox.
Despite the wide range of different settings, the firewall has not lost its user-friendly interface; each option has a corresponding description.
Advantages:
Free;
Possibility of batch installation of firewall and antivirus;
Simple Russian-language interface with tips.
Flaws:
Increased loading time operating system, loss of PC performance;
The program is not removed from the system correctly, leaving behind a lot of “garbage”.
Outpost Firewall Pro
Software product from the Russian company Agnitum. To familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the firewall, the developer provides a free 30-day version.
The price of a licensed copy for home use for a year is 899 rubles, a license for 2 years will cost 1399 rubles.
A distinctive feature of the firewall is the ability to detect both known malicious programs and new ones that are not yet in the databases.
This function is possible thanks to a multi-level approach, which involves the use of proactive blocking based on analysis of program behavior and signature methods for detecting network activity.
In addition to the organized self-protection function of the firewall from being completely or partially disabled or modified by malicious code, the program also provides this protection for the operating system and installed programs and applications.
In general, the firewall is quite good; after spending some time on proper configuration, you can later forget about its existence; the program will provide a fairly high degree of protection for your PC.
Advantages:
Multi-level security approach with proactive protection;
The speed of the PC after installation remains at the same level;
Availability of a Russian-language interface with tips.
Flaws:
SpyShelter Firewall
The program is available for review for 14 days after installation, during which time the user must decide whether the program is worth the money.
An annual license of the program will cost 25 euros, although the company provides such an advantageous offer as purchasing a lifetime license at a price of 55 euros for 1 PC.
There is also an offer for 5 PCs - the licensing price is 65 and 165 euros, respectively.
The license price includes technical support for the product. Language for communication is English.
Note! Besides standard features, inherent in other firewalls, incl. the presence of proactive protection, it should be noted that there are also more advanced capabilities - protection from malware creating screenshots from the screen, webcam, and recording sound from the built-in microphone. There is a function to encrypt keystrokes.
Advantages:
Availability of proactive protection;
Installing the program does not affect system performance;
Flaws:
The need to purchase a license;
English interface.
Windows 7 Firewall
Firewall for Windows 7: review of the best programs
What is the best firewall ( Firewall) for Windows - this question plagues many Internet users, paid or free, software or hardware. This question can be answered immediately and almost unambiguously: the best firewall ( Firewall) this is a hardware one, but the best firewall ( Firewall
As previously mentioned the best firewall ( Firewall) this is hardware, prices for which sometimes reach 50-70 thousand. but today’s topic will be a brief analysis of software firewalls ( Firewall) For Windows in terms of reliability/performance ratio...
Firewall (Firewall) an important element in your PC security arsenal. Unfortunately, the standard firewall ( Firewall) for Windows does not provide the desired functionality and blocks or allows only incoming connections, while all outgoing connections are allowed by default, although the reliability of the built-in Windows firewall (Firewall) without doubt.
The most popular firewalls today ( Firewall) for personal PCs this is:
You need to decide what is the decisive factor for you when choosing - ease of use or reliability/performance?! Above given list of the most common firewalls (Firewall) for Windows, in order of preference by our citizens. We will not delve into the details of each product, but will consider only the main points of the first two...
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro developed by domestic programmers and is the most preferred firewall ( Firewall) among ordinary ordinary domestic users who almost never look at " Task Manager". Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro more convenient to use and provides more extensive information about ongoing network events around your PC..
It is easy to use and provides good statistics about what is happening on the network, but ease of use does not mean reliability/performance! Ease of use " Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro"costs the user in excess system resources and in some places during the regular BSOD. So for example the combination NOD32 v4.0 + Outpost Firewall 2.x called regular BSOD, Outpost Firewall older ones are more voracious for system resources, especially when downloading large files via fast network connection and from servers with good returns!
The versions of " Outpost Firewall"above the 6th in which the process" acs.exe"When downloading large files over a fast network connection and from servers with good returns, it devours from 15 and up to 50% system resources, and sometimes even higher! And here it doesn’t matter setting the rules or disabling all additional features - it devours system resources ( CPU+Memory) no matter what and even in idle state ( CPU 8-15%)!!! In version " Outpost Firewall 7.5"named" Performance Edition":)) "acs.exe"When idle, it behaves less aggressively, but the time it takes to download large files over a fast network connection and from servers with good performance still eats up from 15 and up to 50%
Version " Outpost Firewall 4"not so voracious, but crashes were often observed when changing user accounts and more! No offense to the company's programmers" Agnitum"but they are still very far from products like" Comodo Firewall Pro", "Comodo Internet Security " or " Checkpoint Firewall-1"! Whatever one may say, Western developers are achieving greater success in the software field than domestic ones...
Comodo Firewall Pro
After long wanderings in search of the best firewall ( Firewall) my choice finally settled on " Comodo Firewall Pro 3.14"which is different from" Outpost Firewall"remarkably stops attempts at incoming connections and does not wildly devour system resources - when idle it uses no more 0-2% CPU and 3-4 MV. In addition, when completely turned off or dropped, " Comodo Firewall Pro 3.14"which is unlikely, there is no access to the network, which cannot be said about " Outpost Firewall".
The program is able to independently analyze each potential threat and, if necessary, issue an appropriate warning. Wherein " Comodo Firewall"recognizes more than 10,000 different applications in various categories ( for example, “safe”, “spyware”, “adware”, etc.).
"Comodo Firewall"also has proactive protection, proactive protection includes HIPS ( Host Intrusion Prevention Systems) - a system for repelling local threats. The task of HIPS is to monitor the operation of applications and block potentially dangerous operations based on specified criteria.
Main characteristics " Comodo Firewall Pro":
- - Full constant control and protection of your personal computer from Internet attacks, Trojans, hackers, malicious scripts and other unknown threats.
- - Free updates - Comodo Firewall Pro will notify you about the availability of updates and, after your consent, will install them.
- - Full control over the activity of programs on the Internet.
- - Control over software updates.
- - Real-time traffic monitoring gives you the ability to instantly respond to possible threats.
- - Simple, intuitive multilingual interface ( including Russian).
- - Free for home and other online users.
"Comodo Firewall Pro"by default it does not provide statistics on all rejected attempts at incoming connections, but if you create certain rules and properly configure it, you can get these statistics. My choice is definitely in favor of " Comodo Firewall Pro 3.14"and I think that it will remain unchanged... Why version 3.14, and not 4.x or 5.x? - yes, because version 3.x concentrates the most basic functions without unnecessary bells and whistles and is less demanding resources than 4.x or 5.x?...
According to the website matousec.com, Comodo products continue to occupy first positions among test participants: http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php
The truth in " Comodo Firewall Pro"there are no such useful features as blocking active elements and the statistics are poor, but this drawback in favor of saving system resources can be compensated for by the Firefox browser and the AdBlock + NoScript plugins, and if necessary, we will collect statistics with other programs...
wipfw
wipfw is an analogue of the ipfw console firewall, but only for Windows. It has more features compared to the standard firewall from Windows XP. Can limit the number of connections from a specific IP address or range of IP addresses. It is possible to identify packets by the set flags SYN, FIN, etc.
Conclusion
How many people have so many opinions, there are a lot of firewalls on the network ( Firewall) and each of them has its own loyal users who have chosen one or another firewall ( Firewall) due to your preferences. Once again I would like to emphasize that the best firewall ( Firewall) this is a hardware firewall, but the best firewall ( Firewall) this is the one that is adjusted with straight hands...
A firewall, also known as a firewall or firewall, is an important element of system security. The firewall filters incoming and outgoing traffic, protecting your computer from unauthorized access.
Windows has a standard firewall, but its reliability is questioned by many experts. Regardless of which version of the operating system you use, it is recommended to use separate specialized solutions. prepared the five best free firewalls available at the moment.
Provides real-time protection and additional tools for Wi-Fi security. This is one of the oldest and most reliable firewalls, existing for more than 20 years. The current version of ZoneAlarm can hide open ports, automatically detect suspicious traffic, disable malware, and check against the DefenseNet threat database. The program can also protect your computer in public Wi-Fi networks, which is very important for laptops.
Please note, when installing ZoneAlarm, do not forget to disable unnecessary parameters, otherwise the installer will make Yahoo your home page. You'll also have to provide ZoneAlarm with an activation email address, although the company doesn't share it with outsiders.
– another good free firewall. Its main feature is the Sandbox tool, which allows you to run any application in a separate virtual environment. Thanks to this, even an obviously malicious program will not be able to damage the main system. Very useful option if you like to experiment with free software from unverified sources. The program allows you to easily manage permissions for different networks and create rules for specific programs.
Please note that it is also important to be vigilant when installing Comodo Free Firewall, otherwise the installer may replace your home page and install the Comodo Dragon browser into the load. The corresponding settings should be disabled.
– A well-designed firewall with an emphasis on information and transparency. The program keeps detailed records of network activity, so you can find out exactly which application is consuming traffic and in what volume. When any application or process tries to access the Internet, the user instantly receives a notification and can block Internet access with one click.
– a very simple and lightweight utility. This is not so much a stand-alone firewall as a tool for advanced configuration and improvement of the built-in Windows Firewall. In its work, TinyWall tries to be as unobtrusive as possible. The program will not bother you with notifications unless something really important happens.
The utility fully lives up to its name - it takes up less than 1 MB on the hard drive and has virtually no effect on the performance of the computer.
Unlike the options presented above, it is not a downloadable firewall. This is a set of network settings that will automatically redirect your traffic through Cisco's OpenDNS cloud filtering service. If you specify the settings in the router, this will protect all devices connected to this network. OpenDNS Home filters automatically block traffic from known dangerous sources and prevent phishing attempts.
Indeed, Windows comes with a built-in firewall, which is especially effective in latest versions Windows. However, users may choose an alternative solution, especially if it is free. The 2016 version of ZoneAlarm Free Firewall is not much different from its predecessor, but still receives several useful improvements.
Persistent firewall
The main program window has remained virtually unchanged. Three large panels represent antivirus, firewall and data protection. The antivirus panel is grayed out with a message that antivirus protection is available but not installed. It is assumed here that you will use ZoneAlarm in conjunction with your favorite antivirus solution, for example, Panda Free Antivirus (2016). If you don't have it yet antivirus protection, click the button to install it, after which the product will actually turn into ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall 2016.
By revising old version ZoneAlarm it turned out that the installer required changing search engine and home page in the browser. Certainly, these manipulations allowed the Check Point developers to earn some income. The 2016 version no longer enforces these changes and no longer includes the licensed toolbar, which many users found useful. In addition, the product has lost its protection against phishing, because it was a functional part of the toolbar, but, on the other hand, anti-phishing is not a typical component of firewalls.
ZoneAlarm is one of the earliest personal firewalls on the market - the product has been evolving and improving over the years. The program does an excellent job of switching all system ports to stealth mode, making them invisible to external attacks. The Windows Firewall also copes effectively with this task, so unsuccessful attempts to hide ports third party solutions They look suspicious to say the least. Note that despite the fact that the firewall developers in Kaspersky Internet Security (2016) decided to abandon the port hiding function, the product is seriously focused on detecting and blocking network attacks.
ZoneAlarm does not attempt to detect network attacks that attempt to exploit system vulnerabilities. This level usually not present in free solutions. In PCMag's amateur tests, the Kaspersky firewall detected the most exploits, and Symantec Norton Security identified and blocked absolutely all of them.
ZoneAlarm software control configures network and Internet access permissions for all programs that attempt to connect. By default, the component scans programs at a medium sensitivity level, which offers the optimal balance between good protection and fewer pop-up alerts. The tool leverages Check Point's extensive DefenseNet database to automatically configure permissions for a wide range of known trusted programs.
When testing at the medium level of protection, the self-written browser was detected, but when permission was automatically obtained, outgoing connections were allowed to it. When sensitivity was set to maximum, the component detected access attempts and asked the user whether to allow these actions. Considering the huge number of well-known programs whose network access is automatically processed by the firewall, it is recommended to use maximum protection and pay attention to pop-up alerts.
Of course, a firewall can only control network access attempts that it can detect. Lictest programs imitate hidden methods network access, which are used by some malware to masquerade as benign applications. In the test, ZoneAlarm detected most of the leak tests and identified one of them as a malicious application.
In terms of direct targeted attacks, ZoneAlarm was one of the first personal firewalls to successfully resist these types of threats. The tests failed to find a way to disable firewall protection. One method that often works is to disable startup of critical firewall services. When trying to perform these manipulations, ZoneAlarm displayed the message “Access denied.” With Comodo Firewall 8 this method worked, but upon reboot the firewall detected a problem and offered to fix it.
OSFirewall
When the sensitivity of the software control was set to maximum protection, it was noticed that in addition to alerts about network access attempts, the firewall also displayed pop-up notifications about suspicious behavior. This functionality is provided by the behavioral component OSFirewall.
At medium sensitivity mode, when installing 20 old PCMag utilities, no alerts appeared. After the protection level was raised to maximum, each utility generated at least one pop-up alert, most of which were displayed during the installation of the test sample. When creating and running a temporary copy of the installer, the firewall reported such a suspicious action as an attempt to access with administrator privileges. Many utilities have raised a warning that an application is trying to communicate with Windows Explorer by opening its process.
Naturally, if you select blocking for any manipulation data, the installation will not work or the program will not work correctly. The maximum level of protection is still recommended, but when installing new programs it is advisable to lower the sensitivity to medium. It's worth noting that Comodo's behavioral analysis feature has yielded even more alerts -, in in some cases, more than a dozen per utility.
Cloud backup storage
Along with installing ZoneAlarm, the user is offered to receive 5 gigabytes for free cloud storage from ZoneAlarm partner - IDrive. The premium version costs $59.50 per year and offers 1 terabyte of cloud storage. IDrive received the title of “Editor's Choice” in the category of cloud storage services.
When the user initially clicks the link to activate cloud storage, a page opens that explains the capabilities of the service and allows you to install separate application for data backup. As mentioned, you can get 5 gigabytes for free, and you will receive a similar offer directly from IDrive. If 5 GB is not enough for your needs, you can upgrade to the Premium plan for 1 terabyte of cloud space. Panda Internet Security 2016 only offers two gigabytes of Mozy-based backup storage, but the user can get a 15 percent discount on other paid Mozy plans. A ZoneAlarm representative said that they also offer discounts in the form of promotions.
To activate the backup system you need to create account. Enter your name, email and password and you can proceed to the next step. You then need to tell IDrive whether to use a standard encryption key or a custom key. If you choose the second option, you will have to remember this key, otherwise you will not be able to access your data. On the positive side, even with an official request from government agencies, IDrive will not be able to decrypt your files.
The backup utility doesn't waste your time. Immediately after installation is complete, backup of important folders begins: desktop, Music, Pictures and Documents. You can easily add your own folders and files to copy.
The backup tool allows you to save a copy of your files locally or on a server. You can also create an image backup of the entire drive, although it likely won't fit within the available 5 gigabytes. From any computer connected to the Internet, you can log into your account and manage backup copies files. The service even includes a viewer graphic files. In addition, the tool has support mobile devices and social data backup, as well as many other features.
Data protection
The Identity Protection component of ZoneAlarm consists of two parts. First, Identity Protection performs credit monitoring and notifies you of any changes to your credit history. In addition, the Identity Lock feature prevents unauthorized transfer of user data from the system.
The monitoring service is provided by ZoneAlarm's partner - Identity Guard. Specifically, you get one year of what's called Good Start protection. After entering personal data, the service will check your credit data every day and notify you by e-mail about any changes to the credit file. If you have questions about the service or are confused by any notification, unlimited free technical support. Although the service is free, the user will need to enter credit card information as part of the verification process.
By default, Identity Lock is disabled because it cannot work when there is no personal data. When entering data, the user can choose from 10 different categories, including telephone numbers, credit cards and addresses. For each object, you can specify a descriptive name and the data that needs to be protected. By default, ZoneAlarm uses one-way encryption to save data. Thus, if an attacker gains access to the program, he will not be able to read your private data.
With a medium level of protection, ZoneAlarm notifies you of any attempt to transmit protected data via email and browser. If you select the cancel transfer option, your data will be replaced with asterisks. At the maximum level of protection, data is replaced with asterisks automatically, without unnecessary requests. Please note that Identity Lock does not work with HTTPS-secured connections.
Free but proud
In modern realities, the market for autonomous personal firewalls is, frankly speaking, small. The increased efficiency of the built-in Windows firewall predetermined the choice of the majority. A paid solution will have a very difficult time here.
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 2016 and Comodo Firewall 8 are both Editors' Choice for Windows firewalls. Comodo includes a rich set useful functions, including at times problematic behavioral blocking. ZoneAlarm contains all the necessary firewall features and includes its own bonuses. If you want to abandon a system solution in favor of a third-party personal firewall, you should try this product.
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 2016 review:
Advantages
- successfully hides everything system ports;
- manages program access to the Internet and network;
- no longer forcibly installs the toolbar or changes home page settings;
- effectively resists attacks;
- includes protection of personal data, backup to cloud storage.
Flaws
- no longer includes phishing protection;
- At maximum sensitivity, behavioral detection produces a large number of false positives.
Overall rating
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 2016 performs all traditional firewall tasks and no longer comes with a toolbar. Cloud backup and credit status monitoring make this free product an even more interesting choice.