Firewalls

Firewalls are software applications or pieces of hardware that filter network traffic to block malicious internet activity.

Firewalls are considered essential for home broadband users who have an always-on internet connection, and for all organisations connected to the internet.

The first firewall technology was developed in the 1980s by programmers at Cisco and Bell Laboratories. The first commercial product appeared in 1985, and has been advanced every several years since with new technology.

A variety of firewalls are available for download, both free and otherwise. Two popular and well-reviewed free options are ZoneAlarm Free Firewall and Comodo Personal Firewall—the latter of which CNET has called the "easiest to use and best" on the market. ZoneAlarm also offers an upgraded retail version, the ZoneAlarm Pro. Others include Lavasoft Personal Firewall and Sunbelt Personal Firewall, both available in free and retail versions.

Internet Security Suites are bundled software packages that combine firewalls with other online protection, such as anti-virus, anti-phishing, anti-spyware and parental control features. Popular and acclaimed suites include ZoneAlarm I.S., BitDefender I.S. and Kaspersky I.S.

• Google Blog Search: Firewalls

• Thread Chaos: "Web Application Firewalls." (2005)

• Bits: "The Internet Firewall: R.I.P.?" (2007)

• News Blog: "Windows XP Firewall Attack?" (2006)

• ComputerWorld Blogs: "Personal Firewall Or No Personal Firewall, That Is The Question!" (2007)

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