Windows XP. The protection
afforded by the original (pre-SP2) Windows XP built-in firewall is better than nothing at
all, and its latest incarnation included in Service Pack 2 (SP2) does
a far better job than its original release. The firewall included in
Service Pack 2 for Win XP offers more choices for adjustment and
configuration, but not all of the settings are intuitive. There may be some broadband services that
are not compatible with it.
Recommendation: While
the SP2 firewall is better than nothing, and it is free, you can do better
.
Windows Vista.
Vista not only delivers a more sophisticated firewall, it goes XP
one better by offering two-way protection. This prevents the
outgoing traffic that some malware generates - and that outgoing
traffic can contain things like your personal info and/or your
entire email address book.
Vista's architecture is inherently more secure. Kernel-mode drivers
and programs simply will not run. There's a lot of malware that
likes to run in this mode. Won't happen in Vista.
Vista also comes with Windows Defender, a decent, but not remarkable
anti-spyware package.
Windows Vista also incorporates a mechanism called
User Account Control. This asks you whether or not you want to
allow certain actions to happen. It is a huge pain in the ass. Most
users disable it as soon as they learn how to do it.
Recommendation:
An upgrade to Vista - if your hardware will support it -
can be considered a great bang-for-the-buck security solution. It is
definitely better than Windows XP. Doesn't obviate the need for a
good anti-virus package, though, and it won't stop spam.
Sunbelt Software Personal Firewall also offers
very effective protection. Currently for Windows XP. Windows 200 Pro
users only, this product cannot be installed on any edition of
Windows Vista. At a mere $20.00 per workstation, this product is
inexpensive and highly effective, providing outbound protection as
well as unparalleled forensic features.
The #1
Firewall Choice of IT Pros.
Sunbelt Personal Firewall is the Windows IT Pro Readers' Choice
Award winner for best desktop firewall! It was also the least
expensive firewall among the top three contenders, proving that
affordability doesn't have to compromise quality. SPF4 offers the
hacker-proof security of a leading firewall for half the cost of the
competition.
Free
vs. Full Versions
|
Product: |
SKPF 4 - free |
SKPF 4 - full |
|
NETWORK
SECURITY |
| Packet filter |
YES |
YES |
| File integrity control |
YES |
YES |
| Application
communication control |
YES |
YES |
| Application launch
control |
YES |
YES |
| Network
Intrusion Prevention System |
YES |
YES |
| Host-based Intrusion
Prevention System |
NO |
YES |
|
CONTENT
FILTERING |
| Identity Theft
Protection |
NO |
YES |
| Script blocking
(JavaScript, VB script) |
NO |
YES |
| Referrer and Cookies
blocking |
NO |
YES |
| Ad blocking |
NO |
YES |
| Pop-up windows blocking |
NO |
YES |
|
STATISTICS,
LOGGING |
| Statistics
of attacks and blocked ads |
YES |
YES |
| Automatic update checker |
YES |
YES |
| Extended logging |
YES |
YES |
| Syslog |
NO |
YES |
| Runs as Internet Gateway |
NO |
YES |
|
ADMINISTRATION |
| Remote administration |
NO |
YES |
| Password protected
configuration |
NO |
YES |
NOTE: Before installing Sunbelt Personal Firewall please
uninstall any other firewall you may have installed. It is
impossible to run more than one firewall on a computer. Note:
Sunbelt Personal Firewall will automatically disable the Windows
Firewall that is included in Windows XP.
Recommendation: Excellent product for use on individual
workstations. Check out
Sunbelt Software for more information. StarLAN
Consulting Services is an authorized reseller for SunBelt
Software products.
