After de-NAT-ing my DSL router, I needed a firewall, and fast. I can't go into this long 'searched and searched' story, because honestly I don't have one. One of my friends already knew about Zone Alarm and told me to get it.

Let me just say, this is THE personal firewall software. It's easy to install, and although the interface might be a little confusing, there's not much you have to do anyway. Just let it run! If any software tries to access the internet, Zone Alarm alerts you to this and asks you if you want to allow it access. You can even check a box that will keep that particular program in memory, so it won't ask you about it again. This feature is also handy in alerting you to those strange programs that you're unaware of running in the background and connecting to the internet for whatever reason.

Along with these alerts, it also lets you know when an outside IP address is attempting to probe your machine. You can tell Zone Alarm to not bother you with these pop-up alerts as well. It will still block the intruder.

Not long after installing Zone Alarm, I found a website that checks your internet connection security. They tested my system and couldn't get into anything. They even recommended the Zone Alarm software on that website.

Be aware that even if you have the Zone Alarm software installed, the Microsoft Personal Web Server still opens up your system to attack. The PWS software is very vulnerable and the Zone Alarm software can do little to remedy that.

Basically, Zone Alarm secures your system easily and for free. There's not much more you could ask for.

Recommended: Yes