Firewalls are important barriers between you and malicious content that you may encounter on the internet. While browsing the web without a firewall is not a world-ending activity, there are many reasons why you should try to surround yourself with a strong wall that will prevent viruses and malware from landing on your machine. There are several crucial functions that a firewall usually performs:
– Controlling all applications that can access the internet;
– Protects your machine from remote access (hackers);
– Filters the incoming traffic to destroy threats before they infect the PC.
Below are the top 10 programs that we consider some of the finest for Windows.
1. GlassWire
This is a very basic yet powerful firewall that monitors the traffic and controls programs. The real-time protection from online attacks is like a strong shield that blocks threats instantly. It is a very good choice on a low budget.
2. ZoneAlarm
If you are looking for a firewall that will reliably defend your machine from incoming cyber threats, you will appreciate this particular app that has a clean customizable interface, two-way scanning feature, multiple layers of defense, and backups stored in the cloud.
3. Tinywall
Despite its name, the application is quite powerful and works great on the latest Windows OS. It is one of the most reliable apps especially for those who want to remain private. The program can kill pop-up ads, scans all connections, protects Wi-Fi networks, and showcases reactive real-time monitoring.
4. Comodo Firewall
The key feature of this program is that it has an easy-to-use whitelisting feature. You can add exceptions to the firewall easily and create your own sets of rules. There are multiple in-built features that expand the functionality of the firewall: an ad blocker, DNS servers, creates virtual zones to block programs, provides strong real-time protection.
5. NetDefender
This is an old school app that has been around for years. Recently it was updated to work in Windows 10 and 8 environments. The convenience of the program is hard to overrate. The interface may seem outdated, but it works wonderfully and allows for easy access to most features including pop-up blocking, IP blocking, and more.
6. OpenDNS
This is one of the finest choices for Windows 10 users. The program has a plethora of settings that you can alter in order to adjust the level of security. The best part about this firewall is that it is not intrusive and works without putting a strain on your system. Simplicity and convenience make it a great variant for newbies.
7. PeerBlock
If you require all-around protection from internet threats, you will love this app. It offers not only control over internet connections but also a variety of additional tools such as ad-blocking, anti-spyware protection, and more. PeerBlock won’t eat too much RAM or processing power. It is a simple yet powerful firewall that will work perfectly on any Windows machine.
8. Outpost Firewall Pro
The list of features that you will find in Outpost is simply too long to write down in a couple of sentences. It is a flexible application capable of preventing any threat from harming your PC. Here are some features: software and system protection, folder locker, multiple customizable security levels, protection against spying.
9. Evorim
With its clean interface and lots of customizable settings, this app is a good choice for both professionals and casual users. Multiple protection modes including “Credulous”, “Cooperative”, “Touch-Friendly”, and “Paranoid” each with its own scenario and lists of rules. You can block telemetry and spyware as well as many other threats.
10. AVS Firewall
Not many apps that will protect your registry exist in this world. AVS is certainly one of them. The interface may seem clunky and messy but it is quite user-friendly and allows you to quickly navigate between necessary blocks of options.
