Firewalls - Eric S.

Firewall Software

© 2019 Eric Skagerberg (All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced in printed or electronic format without the express permission of the author.)
Adjunct Instructor, Computer Studies Department
Santa Rosa Junior College, California

Page last updated 2 May, 2011

Your first line of defense
Don't connect without it: invasion attempts within seconds
A typical Cable/DSL router provides simple firewall protection against bad incoming connections only. Use firewall software to stop bad outgoing connections as well.

Windows Firewalls
- Built-in Windows Firewalls
  - Windows 7 Firewall
    - How to Configure Windows 7 Firewall
  - Add outbound control with Windows 7 & Vista Firewall Control application
  - Vista Firewall
  - Windows XP Firewall (Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 & 3)
    - Understanding Windows XP Firewall (Microsoft)
    - Details from the "Elder Geek"
    - For outbound control, use third-party firewall software (see below)
    - Old Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall (Windowsnetworking.com)
      - On individual connections only

Usually better at controlling outgoing connections
For Windows 7 & Vista, make sure it is Microsoft certified: XP firewall software may fail
Required for older versions, such as Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98
Free:
- Comodo Firewall Pro (XP, Vista, & 7; for Windows 2000, use older version 2.4)
- ZoneAlarm firewall from Check Point (use older 6.0 or 5.5 for Windows ME & 98)
For purchase, Internet Security Suites have a firewall function built in

Macintosh Firewalls
- Not turned on, not even in Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard
- Turn on the OS X Built-in Firewall
  - Mac OS 10.5 Firewall Setup
  - Older OS X Firewall Setup
- Macintosh Firewall Software by Aaron Roberts, UC Berkeley

Firewall Testing
- From Gibson Research Corporation
  - ShieldsUP!
  - LeakTest -- Test your firewall (Windows)
  - Firewall Scoreboard -- Which firewalls work best?