Protect your PC with a powerful, independent firewall. This review will help you choose the best free firewall for your computer device under operating room control Windows systems.

There has been a problem with Microsoft's operating systems in the past—Windows has persistent security problems that hackers and other online scammers have taken advantage of. One way to combat this was to install a firewall - an application that blocks malicious and/or unwanted processes on the network and which could ensure that sneaky third-party programs did not get into your PC.

Today, when Microsoft began to release its own firewall built into Windows, discussions about its reliability continue. After all, cyber attacks remain a serious threat. Third-party applications from third parties can help you make your system more secure. These are the firewalls that we think are worth your attention, no matter what. Windows version you are using.

Most of us use a firewall on our router, as well as a separate software firewall on Windows. Some antivirus manufacturers bundle a firewall with their free antivirus, while others offer separate application. Here we look at firewalls that can be used in parallel with your standard antivirus.

Real-time protection and additional Wi-Fi security tools

Boasts a stealth mode
+ Updates from DefenseNet
+ Built-in backup online
— Address required Email to activate

For many of us, ZoneAlarm Free Firewall was the app that first introduced us to firewalls, and it was a must-have program in the days when Windows was screaming at the entire internet, “Hack me!” It’s as easy as shelling pears!”

Current version ZoneAlarm Free Firewall hides open ports, identifies potentially dangerous traffic, disables malware, and connects to DefenseNet, which provides real-time protection updates as new threats emerge. The firewall also protects your computer in public Wi-Fi networks and gives 5 gigabytes of Internet space for backup via IDrive.

When you install this software, read each installation step carefully if you do not want to see Yahoo as your home page. The “Customize Installation” button is pretty well hidden. You'll also have to provide your email to activate the firewall, although ZoneAlarm promises not to share it with third parties. If you're happy with that, ZoneAlarm Free Firewall is the best free firewall for Windows.

An effective solution that quickly places viruses in the sandbox

Sandbox for untrusted programs
+ Monitors for suspicious activity
— Trying to install the Comodo Dragon browser

Installing Comodo Free Firewall is worth paying attention to, since it also comes with a browser, and if you click Forward very quickly, you won’t notice how this browser will install. Comodo Free Firewall will also prompt you to set Yahoo as your homepage, but the option to cancel this is much easier to see than in ZoneAlarm. The firewall will also offer to make its own Comodo Dragon browser your default browser and import your settings from Chrome.

Once installed, Comodo Free Firewall is located in a small window at the top right side of your desktop, and you can access sandbox versions of Chrome, Firefox and Comodo Browser with one click for a safer browsing experience. You can also run any other programs in the sandbox - this is very useful if you like to experiment with various programs.

Comodo Free Firewall makes it easy to control permissions for different networks and you can create rules for certain programs(allowing incoming traffic, outgoing traffic, both, or neither). Viroscope monitors the process behavior of anything that looks suspicious (though your standard antivirus most likely does this too), and website filtering allows you to block untrustworthy sites.

Comodo Free Firewall will suggest changing your DNS provider to Comodo Secure DNS for faster and more secure online browsing.

Well-designed, informative security firewall

Displays network traffic usage level
+ Can block individual programs
+ Scans apps for suspicious behavior
— Not very convenient and intuitive

GlassWire is a free firewall with a beautiful interface that shows you exactly what programs are sending and receiving data through your network and how much traffic they're using, making it easy to spot anything suspicious. In this firewall you can view a huge amount of information, which, however, can be a little confusing at first.

You'll be notified when a new app or service wants to go online, and you can allow or block it with one click. By and large, GlassWire is just an interface built on top of the Windows Firewall, so it is no better than it, despite being attractive and informative.

The premium version of GlassWire includes some additional functions, such as monitoring your webcam and microphone, storing recordings for more than one month, and monitoring multiple remote connections. But for normal work it is also perfect free version.

A modest and uncomplicated application that gives you additional control over the Windows Firewall

No annoying pop-ups
+ Simple interface without frills
— Requires manual control in case of complex programs

TinyWall is better known for what it doesn't do than what it does. Unlike some free firewalls, it doesn't bother you with pop-ups informing you about every little process or event.

TinyWall was created to improve the functionality of native Windows Firewall without having to be an expert, and while it does offer the same whitelisting system as other programs (to ensure trusted programs can connect to the internet smoothly), it does so via hotkeys rather than pop-ups.

TinyWall lives up to its name and only takes up about 1 megabyte of space on your hard drive. This is a very useful addition if you decide to use Windows built-in protection.

Customizable filters to protect your personal data at the router level

An Alternative Approach to Firewall Security
+ Can be used in addition to an existing firewall
— Does not replace a full-fledged separate program

OpenDNS is not a free firewall that can be downloaded from the Internet; This is the replacement of your router's settings when it connects to the Internet through OpenDNS servers. This means that the protection applies to any device on your network. And in our time of corporate networks, this is very important.

OpenDNS Home automatically blocks known threats and offers many internet filtering options to keep your kids away from the filth. In addition, it helps avoid phishing attacks. The program is free and has clear installation instructions for any device.

Walking through the vastness of the modern World Wide Web, people sometimes do not think about all the dangers that await them literally at every step. Even harmless contextual advertising can turn out to be the enemy of your system if you do not know the basic security rules.

Contextual advertising allows you to follow a link to another resource containing advertising materials from the customer. Naturally, in addition to useless information, you can download a malicious file onto your computer, the effect of which will spread throughout the entire operating system and will interfere with your normal work.

Files in your personal mail are also dangerous. Stealing information in this way is called phishing; its essence is to follow a link to a fake website and automatically download a virus. However, phishing can have quite many faces; for example, by filling out some work materials in Google Docs or on the payments page, you also risk sending your data to attackers. It is important to remember that if you suspect any insecurity, you should leave the page.

How to protect yourself, if not from all, then from most Internet threats? You need to install a good firewall. An antivirus is a program that allows you to protect your computer from intruders; modern antiviruses, for example, can even warn about DDOS attacks, produced from outside by intruders. A firewall is an antivirus application that guarantees Internet protection, warnings about phishing attacks, and scanning of downloaded files. Those. The task of an antivirus is to “catch” all kinds of viral crap, and a firewall (Firewall - “wall of fire”) stands between your computer and the Internet and, according to the rules given to it, lets in what is needed and weeds out what is harmful.

However, dangers can not only be downloaded from the Internet, but also downloaded by the user himself from external media (flash drives, disks, rarely memory cards). These viruses are built into the autorun program and if launched carelessly, you can infect your computer with a variety of viruses, ranging from Trojans and worms to a keyboard interceptor, which, whenever you enter information, will send all your data to hackers, and the presence of the Internet is not at all necessary. By the way, you can check your computer with a very effective utility tool

Users who like to download games and programs from free file hosting services and . Not only can the files they contain often be infected with viruses of varying degrees of complexity, but also those contained in “tablets” or cracks for hacking activation cannot be checked by any antivirus, because the code of these programs is aimed at malicious use, and the defender your computer may regard these actions as a malicious intrusion attempt.

As for the “cracks”. Very often antivirus programs identify them as viruses. But it's up to you to decide. For example, you installed pirated windows. An unhacked Windows, when connected to the Internet, will immediately “climb” to the Microsoft website and will be checked to see if this copy is legal or if it is not listed in their company. And the “crack” makes sure that such a check is successful. For example, the previously mentioned Dr.web Cureit utility will definitely detect that it is a virus. But if you remove it, then Windows will not work. So decide what is best for you.

But no matter what algorithm your antivirus uses, you should know that your computer will not have enough firewall protection. Your firewall may be affected by new types of cyber fauna, the knowledge of which has not yet been downloaded to the database.

So, there will be protection if an antivirus + firewall is installed.

Firewall, what is it:

We continue to study the security of our computer. I started this section by studying, since in most cases we ourselves are to blame for our troubles. So - .

Please don’t be surprised why a series of articles about the computer itself appeared on a finance blog. The reason I brought up this important topic is directly related to yours.

Firstly, the computer has become an important tool for us to earn money. We use it both for self-education, development of our own, and directly for making money. We are studying ways to earn money directly in.

Secondly, I think it would be very disappointing for all of us to earn money after spending a lot of time and effort on it, and then someone takes it away with the help of a virus or Trojan program.

And thirdly, learn to protect your investments. Your time spent on earning money, money earned, websites-blogs-online stores created by you. All this is your capital. Your investment. And their loss is unpleasant not only because of the fact itself. It’s just that many people, after such emergencies, give up and are no longer able to continue working on their goals.

Antivirus with firewall? Antivirus or firewall?

First, let's look at the challenges we face antivirus with firewall.

If we draw an analogy with life, then a firewall is the fence of your home. Keeps pests out or, if they're already there, doesn't allow them to take stuff out of the house. Antivirus is a dog in your yard. Looks for and gnaws on these same pests in the yard and at home.

In detail, the firewall has several functions. First of all, this is checking all installed software for contacts with the outside world and suppressing unauthorized data exchange.
The thing is that many programs constantly exchange data with developer servers. For updating, transmitting data about problems, receiving information about the release of a new product, and so on. These channels are used by hackers to hack. And the firewall creates a rule for launching and transferring data for each installed program.

The task of an antivirus differs from the tasks of a firewall. This is a program for detecting dangerous and malicious programs, such as viruses, Trojans, worms, rootkits, and so on, on a hard drive or removable media such as USB flash cards. After identifying these threats - checking them against the current database, it either treats them or quarantines them. You must understand that the antivirus is not designed to protect your PC from external attacks.

A modern offer on the security software market.

Now you know the differences between these programs. I hope and there is an understanding that they are both needed on your personal computer. Especially if you work with finance.

And you have a choice. Or install free versions of antivirus and firewall from different manufacturers. Or buy a paid good one antivirus with firewall. You understand that paid products always have higher functionality. No need to worry about software compatibility.

Personally, I made a choice for myself long ago in favor of paid products. 150 rubles a month is not such a big price to pay for peace of mind. I used to use Kaspersky antivirus. This year I decided to try it. Both options, in my opinion, perform their functions adequately.

I will tell you about choosing the antivirus itself in another article.

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus+firewall provides basic protection against spyware and viruses, complemented by the Application Control component.

The antivirus has a two-way firewall that makes the computer invisible on the network and blocks hacker attacks; web security tools that provide anti-phishing, secure boot files and checking the status of websites.

ZoneAlarm - antivirus and firewall in one bottle:

Thanks to the new interface, managing your computer's protection is simplified. Auto-Learn mode configures security settings automatically based on the user's previous actions.

Protecting your computer with antivirus

Antispyware/antivirus. Provide detection and removal of spyware, viruses, Internet worms, Trojans, rootkits and bots. The anti-virus engine is created using technologies from Kaspersky, one of the leaders in the anti-virus environment.

Firewall - high-quality firewall from ZoneAlarm free

Premium protection includes:

Real-Time Cloud Protection – Provides real-time cloud protection. Uses the ZoneAlarm cloud database to detect malware and new threats.

Web Monitoring – Ensures secure file downloads by blocking web threats and preventing them from reaching your computer or browser.

Mailbox Files Scanning – provides scanning of email files.

Network Files Scanning – provides scanning of network files. Scans malicious files located on network drives.

Two-way firewall. Blocks external intrusions and hackers, making the computer invisible during network activity.

Application Control. Programs are monitored using behavioral analysis, suspicious program actions are detected, and new attacks missed by traditional antiviruses are blocked.

Web firewall protection

Private web browser mode. Allows you to surf the web in complete privacy. Deletes your activity history - history, passwords, cache, cookies.

Website status and anti-phishing. Anti-phishing protection that tracks the authenticity of websites.

Do Not Track function. Allows you to control and block tracking of your online activity by organizations that collect data online.

Facebook Privacy Scan. Tracks your activity on Facebook and alerts you when possible threats your privacy.

Advanced download protection. The antivirus automatically analyzes downloads, which allows you to determine whether they are safe or harmful by downloading them in a protected environment.

Protection of personal information

Online backup. Allows you to create backups files and restore them in case of hardware failures.

Credit card monitoring. Allows you to protect your funds through daily monitoring of credit transactions and provides work with a service to recover damage caused to your credit card.

You can download the free version of Zone Alarm antivirus from the link below, or from the big blue button under the screenshots.

Comodo Internet Security- one of the most powerful free programs protection against Internet threats: firewall, antivirus, proactive protection Defense+. Comodo is one of the best firewalls in the world. It is known, first of all, as a powerful firewall, therefore, although it is an anti-virus complex, it is placed in the firewall category.

COMODO Internet Security is an excellent software package for ensuring Internet security. The composition includes all the necessary utilities for smooth work and safe surfing on the Internet. Comodo Internet Security provides comprehensive computer protection. Comodo Internet Security includes: Firewall, Antivirus and proactive Viruscope technology, based on behavioral file analysis and protecting critical system files, registry entries and personal data from internal attacks by rootkits, Key logger, Trojans and other malware. There is a web filter that blocks malicious sites. It is possible to use folders with protected data. In addition, Comodo Internet Security allows you to set up your own virtual secure desktop, as well as run applications using a secure virtual environment - Sandbox Technology, which is also included in the installation of individual Comodo components (firewall or antivirus only). Working in this environment does not allow viruses to change real system parameters, doing it virtually. Comodo Internet Security allows you to configure automatic launch of selected applications in the Sandbox, as well as configure many other settings as you wish.

According to the results of various tests, COMODO is superior to many paid analogues.

When using any firewalls, it is advisable to have at least a minimal understanding of the principles of firewall operation, although with COMODO there are no difficulties during installation and use.

There is also a paid version of the program without functional differences - the free version does not have round-the-clock technical support from COMODO specialists.

Comodo Internet Security supports several languages, including the Russian interface.

Install the Russian interface in Comodo Internet Security:

Go to the tasks window by clicking on the "tasks" icon in the upper right corner.

Expand the list of Advanced Tasks and open the Open Advansed Setting menu.

In the General Setting - User Interface - Language settings that open, select Russian.