INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Authors: JordanEvery PC needs a firewall to keep it secure
As it is a necessary feature for a PC, Windows does include a basic firewall
However, for more security conscious and advanced users, a third-party firewall solution is a useful addition to their anti-malware
armory. Money spent on a firewall can be easily paid back in dividends of less downtime, and a more secure PC that is hardened from an
Here are some great firewall software choices to consider. Bitdefender Internet Security 20181
Bitdefender Internet Security 2018A comprehensive security suite with a top-notch firewallCan be managed from a mobile device Rescue mode
Includes ransomware protection No longer ranked at the top in tests Bitdefender Internet Security 2018 is a long time player in this
space, and includes a comprehensive suite of security features to keep your PC safe from attack. In addition to the excellent firewall,
Bitdefender includes plenty of advanced features including webcam privacy protection, multi-layer ransomware protection, and management from
a mobile device.It also includes an anti-phishing feature, a file shredder to securely delete files, a rescue mode, and a password manager
to lock down all the multiple points of vulnerability that are commonly found in modern PC systems. On the Bitdefender website, the firm
points out the many awards that this software has won, including the “Best protection” and “Best performance” awards from AV Test,
an independent lab that rates security software
While the product did win these awards from 2013 up to December 2017’s testing, in the most recent February 2018 test, Bitdefender
Internet Security was not chosen as a ‘Top Product’ as a few competitors ranked higher, although the firm still did well. There is a
free 30-day trial available, and the program is available via a subscription for up to three devices, with one year costing $44.99 (£33,
AU$59). Kaspersky Internet Security 20182
Kaspersky Internet Security 2018Another big name in securityTop ranked in latest testing Webcam protection Anti-ransomware No file
shredder or password manager Based in Moscow, Kaspersky Lab is a well-known multinational cyber-security vendor that works to identify
malware threats, and offers a whole array of security software. Kaspersky Internet Security 2018 is its offering for a software firewall
for the personal Windows user
It boasts plenty of additional functions, including disinfecting malware, software cleaning to remove unused apps dragging down system
performance, ad blocking via the Anti-Banner function, and a higher level of security for online shopping and banking
Virus scans and database updates can also be performed remotely via a portal. Kaspersky Internet Security 2018 is an AV-Test ‘Top
Product’ in the latest round of testing
A one-year, three-device license can be purchased for $39.99 (£29, AU$53). 3
Norton Security StandardThe firewall that covers all malware100% money-back guarantee Top rated in tests Integrated anti-spyware and
anti-ransomware Subscription only covers a single device Norton Security Standard comes in four tiers which start at Basic, and Standard
is the lowest one that includes a firewall.The program has a smart firewall, and also adds protection from all types of malware, including
antivirus, anti-ransomware, and anti-spyware for comprehensive protection
Norton Security Standard also features ‘always there customer support,’ and even backs this up with a 100% guarantee to keep your device
virus-free, or provide a refund
It is also a ‘Top Product’ in the AV-Test security results.Norton Security Standard is available as a one device subscription for $39.99
(£29, AU$53) for the first year
Users with multiple devices will be better served stepping up a tier from Standard to Deluxe, which covers five devices. Zone Alarm Pro
Zone Alarm Pro Firewall 2018The firewall-first softwareZero hour protection Makes PC invisible to hackers Unstable with other
anti-malware software Not as comprehensive as some rivalsWhile some security suites offer a firewall as one of their services, Check
Point’s Zone Alarm Pro Firewall 2018 has its firewall function as the core feature. It boasts an ‘advanced firewall’ that monitors
the computer for suspicious behavior, and can therefore spot new attacks before the malware has even been identified and the signature can
be distributed to the software - so-called ‘Zero Hour Protection.’ It can also shield the system during startup, a time when it is
particularly vulnerable before most other security programs are even loaded and working.This is a two-way firewall to keep the PC from being
visible to hackers, and the program also features Automatic Wireless Network Security, which “detects wireless networks and automatically
applies the most secure firewall protection setting” to keep the system safe when it is connected via Wi-Fi. Zone Alarm Pro 2018 is an
affordable $24.95 (£18, AU$33) for a single license, and $29.95 (£22, AU$40) for five licenses, both via a one year subscription. 5
F-Secure SENSEOne box to protect them allA firewall for the smart home Network-level antivirus protection Higher cost as router requires
ongoing subscription Router specs are not class leading In a home network setup, the traditional approach has been to run the security
suite at the PC level, with less security emphasis at the level of the router
With the increasing number of ‘Internet of Things’ devices, such as your thermostat or video streaming box, which are essentially
impossible to protect via a security suite, the focus has shifted to harden the router, by having a security suite at the network rather
than client-level, and dubbing this box a ‘smart home security appliance.’Examples of this include the Bitdefender Box 2, and the
The latter includes antivirus and anti-bot protection for the entire network, built into an always up-to-date router, which can all be
managed via a simple mobile app. While the network-level of security sounds appealing, realize there are some downsides
The first is that the router is not the most robust at wireless duties, and the F-Secure SENSE conforms to the more pedestrian AC1750
The other is that the cost is $199 (£144, AU$262) for the box which includes the first year of subscription, and subsequent annual
subscriptions are $109 (£79, AU$144) thereafter, making it more expensive than the other solutions here, both in terms of upfront and
ongoing costs. WFmVNNNyKMnBDobM2Ky6LP.jpg#
