Cover your assets: software firewalls that work

Although Windows XP SP2 now includes its own firewall, the Windows Firewall blocks only incoming malicious code. It does little to stop spyware or Trojan horses from broadcasting your credit card info or surfing habits out to others on the Net. And hardware firewalls included with your router mask only your virtual location; they do nothing to stop data coming in or going out. That's why you need a good software firewall application on your desktop, one that manages incoming and outgoing data.

We looked at three such apps. Past favourites McAfee and Norton continue to provide adequate protection from Internet nasties, but once again, ZoneAlarm Pro is the easiest and best software firewall around. Better yet, you can try it free for 15 days, and if you don't want to buy it, you'll continue to get great coverage from the free version of ZoneAlarm without having to reinstall it. With this offer, you just can't lose.

ZoneAlarm Pro 5.5 Read review A straightforward and effective firewall/privacy product, ZoneAlarm Pro 5.5 is worthy of consideration in any home or SOHO situation. Norton Personal Firewall 2005 Read review Version 2005 offers very little change over last year's Norton Personal Firewall -- new users can still do better with the free version of ZoneAlarm. McAfee Personal Firewall Plus 6.0 Read review McAfee Personal Firewall Plus 2005 is a useful firewall for absolute beginners, but it will frustrate advanced users. ZoneAlarm Pro is still the best all-around firewall.