Firewall Applications - Essay Example

Firewall Applications Submitted to, Submitted By, of the Submitted on, [November 6th, INTRODUCTION A firewall is a software/hardware tool that is used to protect a computing device from malware/other malicious software or Trojan horses’ intrusion. These external threatening agents often attack a computing device when it is connected to another external computing device that may be affected with a malware. This connection may be via a network etc. Figure 1: Graphical Representation of a Firewalls Location.

Firewall prevents unauthorized access to a computing device by checking every message transfer to and from the computing device. It restricts any message transfer that does not comply with the defined security standards embedded in it. Firewalls protect a computing device throughout its connection to the internet by continuously monitoring all its activity. Present day firewalls are present in a variety of ranges. Three of the most widely used firewalls are presented in the review below:FIREWALL NUMBER 1: Comodo FirewallFUNCTIONALITYIt is useful for both lightly skilled and advanced users.

It possesses active HIPS. Its significant features are that it includes a personal firewall and a light sandbox component. It is available in two modes namely the ‘Defense Mode’ and the ‘Security’ Mode. Automatically configures itself on a PC after installation. COST$39.99. SUPPORTBuilt in Help and Support. PLATFORM OF USE:Windows XP (SP2), Vista, Windows 7 (128 MB RAM). Not available for portable devices.FIREWALL NUMBER 2: Online Armor PremiumFUNCTIONALITYThe software reduces popups by allowing only the trusted set of programs to access the internet.

It determines the set of trusted and non- trusted programs by maintaining a set of sites that may attract potential scam. The Firewall passes all the known leak tests in order to protect the host computing device. Survives spy attempts and transfer of diseased files that may sometimes survive system reboots. Detects and acts against applications that assign themselves substantial system privileges.“Banking Mode” is a salient feature. In it, the firewall remains in a banking mode throughout the time the computing device is connected to the internet.

During its connection the banking mode of the firewall prevents the host from scams and also from entering the phishing websites.COST$39.95SUPPORTInteractive Support Present.PLATFORM OF USEWindows XP, Vista, Windows 7. FIREWALL NUMBER 3: Kaspersky Internet Security.FUNCTIONALITYIt is a two-way firewall that monitors every connection to a computing device. It provides Protection from Trojan Horses, Viruses and Worms. Spyware and Adware are restricted. The firewall Scans files, Internet services and all connections for any possible intrusion.

It also Prevents access to unwanted websites. An edge that it has over other firewalls is that if a computer is already infected it restores the computer to its prior state.COST$ 79.95SUPPORTAvailable with software.PLATFORM OF USEWindows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7.RECOMMENDATION:It is recommended to my elder sibling that Online Armor Premium Firewall be installed in his home PC. This is because in a reasonable cost it provides adequate support that should be present in any firewall software.

Especially its feature of maintaining a databank of trustable and non-trustable sites reduces the number of popups for the system user thus increasing its usability.REFERENCES:Top Ten Reviews (2011) Kaspersky Internet Security 2011. Personal Firewall Software Review. Retrieved from http://personal-firewall-software-review.toptenreviews.com/kaspersky-internet-security-details.htmlTop Ten Reviews (2011) Comodo Internet Security Plus 2011. Personal Firewall Software Review. Retrieved from http://personal-firewall-software-review.

toptenreviews.com/comodo-internet-security-pro-review.htmlTop Ten Reviews (2011) Online Armor Premium 5. Personal Firewall Software Review. Retrieved from http://personal-firewall-software-review.toptenreviews.com/online-armor-premium-review.html