Everyone knows how important a firewall is these days. The built-in mechanism in Windows does an acceptable job, but if you've decided not to give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt when it comes to security, you'll need to complement it with an external firewall or an alternative management method. Here we're going to recommend three of the best free firewalls: one works alongside the Windows firewall, and the other two aim to replace it.
Are you using an older version of Windows? Don't trust Microsoft's security profile? Then you need to do two things: replace the built-in antivirus, and repeat that process with the firewall. Today we'll focus on the second half of the equation. What are the best free firewalls? Our path is divided into three:
If you're on an outdated Windows version, you might want to check out this guide to repairing Windows Update.
TinyWall
An old favorite here at NeoTeo (see our previous review), TinyWall doesn't behave as a standalone firewall, but rather dramatically expands the configuration options for the Windows firewall and presents them in a very comfortable interface. Want to create a quick exception? No problem: add the process to the list in a couple of clicks and that's it. Sometimes it makes a few learning mistakes, but if you prefer a more "manual" control, so to speak, TinyWall will serve you well. Besides, it takes up almost nothing on the system. (Download)
ZoneAlarm Free
A classic name if ever there was one, ZoneAlarm holds a historical place among alternative firewalls. The good news is that its free edition is still available, and it works without conflicts on the latest versions of Windows. The interface could use a slight update in the near future (purely an aesthetic complaint; it reminds us too much of the XP/Vista era), but the important thing is that it catches everything in its path, and it does. (Download)
Comodo Firewall Free
While I must admit it is *extremely annoying* during its installation process (because it tries to install other Comodo programs and change the DNS on your computer) and it consumes a bit more resources than needed, at the end of the day the free version of Comodo Firewall works quite well, and its advanced mode is very interesting. It also includes auto-containment modes and process analysis, so in essence it's *a firewall with antivirus features*. (Download)
These three options are free and unlimited, though some features tied to premium versions may be missing. Personally, I would start with TinyWall, enabling more precise control of the Windows firewall, but if the plan is to adopt a more "fire-and-forget" stance, ZoneAlarm and Comodo should help. Good luck!
