There are many free softwares to defend & keep your Windows secured when you’re online. One of them is a Firewall program. In addition to firewall, we also know antivirus programs, anti spyware, anti adware and other defender freewares for our online activities.
Keeping my computer safe is essential for me. I use two AntiVirus programs, AVG Free Edition & avast! Home Edition. I love both. Sometimes when one doesn’t recognize any trojans, another supports the hole. i do not recommend you to use two or more same programs, because not only will they eat your memory resources but sometimes will also generate some conflicts between each other. I’ll write more detailed articles about AntiVirus programs next posts in HWDOT.com in TWEAK WINDOWS category, so stay tuned.
OK, Now It’s time for Firewall…
To protect yourself from hacker attacks, you need a firewall. In effect, a firewall shuts your computer’s door to hackers, allowing only authorized traffic to flow through. Antivirus software protects you from known viruses and can help clean up after a virus attack. But only a firewall can block unauthorized access to your Internet-connected computer and protect against both known and unknown malicious software and Internet threats. At the same time, a firewall allows your computer complete, unrestricted access to the Internet.
I’ve used Zone Alarm Free Edition for a few years. I was never interested in other firewall programs before. I thought, Zone Alarm Free Edition was enough for me than my ’standard-default’ Windows XP firewall. i kept using ZA even though it’s “limited” (PRO Features are disabled).
After blogwalking in the last few days, i’m interested in a good firewall which comes with PRO Feature but with FREE costs :). It’s called Comodo Firewall Professional (Comodo Firewall Pro). It’s very rare to see, a Quality Firewall software that comes with free license (Freeware) but includes ALL FULL Features (aka PRO edition). You may be surprised that this freeware is FREE for Commercial USE too! Wow, interesting.
I used to search at google.com for more reviews, what other users said about a freeware, to find out whether it is a Quality product. Many reviews have ranked Comodo higher than ZoneAlarm so i’ll share the results. In this post I’ll try to compare Comodo with Zone Alarm Free Edition. I’ll talk about the firewall features, what is the strength and weakness including my reasons to switch over to Comodo Firewall Pro from ZoneAlarm free edition.
OK, Let’s start.. 
> What’s Comodo Firewall Pro?
Comodo Firewall Pro (CFP; previously COMODO Firewall) is a freeware firewall developed by Comodo Group that provides protection on a Microsoft Windows operating system from both inbound and outbound attacks.
While on a 2006 independent review comprised of outbound application filtering tests and leak tests, version 1.1.005 gained only a medium score, on another independent review based on leak tests in 2007, the newer version 2.4.18.184 was rated amongst the best Windows personal firewalls with the highest score when configured at its highest security settings. Version 3.0 includes HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System) technology, to protect a computer from unknown attacks. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comodo_Firewall_Pro)
The program still provides a wide variety of information and options for advanced users, but it’s simple enough for beginners, and runs smoothly and silently in the background.
> Comodo Firewall Pro 3 vs. ZoneAlarm Free Edition
+ Comodo can pass firewall leak tests that ZoneAlarm Free can’t.
+ Comodo supports internet connection sharing, while the free versions of ZoneAlarm do not. On the minus side the IDS is initially rather talkative and this can unnecessarily alarm inexperienced users.
+ Yeah, I can say that ZoneAlarm Pro is an excellent firewall (for USD 39.95), but Zone Alarm Free is crap (only Basic protection). There is a huge difference in the 2 ZA versions. The free version of the ZoneAlarm firewall is a very basic product compared to the commercial ZoneAlarm Pro version. The leak-test performance of the latest free version is extremely poor while the Pro version is excellent.
+ ZA Free download also includes the large commercial ZoneAlarm suite.
+ Unlike some other ‘free’ firewalls, Comodo Firewall Pro is not a stripped down version but is the full, completely functional product. Updates and upgrades are also free. it’s also Free for Commercial Use!
+ ZoneAlarm is easier to use. The free version of ZoneAlarm is an easy to use firewall, a not very configurable software targeted at the computer illiterate: noobs and kids.
+ If performance rather than ease-of-use is your criterion then the Comodo firewall is your choice. The firewall itself is very robust and the just released version 3 includes a well designed intrusion detection system and Vista compatibility as well.
> My Reasons to Switch:
I switched over to Comodo Firewall Pro 3 from ZoneAlarm Free edition. I find it better in every respect. Comodo recognizes thousands of known programs as safe resulting in less popups and firewall alerts and uses less resources. Comodo uses very less system resource as compared to ZoneAlarm. It have got a very user friendly interface too. Last but not least, It’s FREE !!!
> Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 Screenshot:
> What’s new in Comodo’s Firewall version 3:
+New Clean PC Mode
+New Defense+ Host Intrusion Prevention System
+New Training Mode
+New Application Recognition Database
+Advanced Network Firewall Engine > Improved
+Security rules interface > Improved
+Graphical User Interface > Improved
+Pop-Up Alerts > Improved
+Event logging > Improved
> Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0 Features:
The Award-Winning Free Firewall Software
* Secures against internal and external threats
* Host Intrusion Prevention System stops malware ever being installed
* Complete protection from Hackers, Spyware and Identity theft
* Delivers total end-point security for Personal Computers and Networks
* Free Download. No charges or license fees ever.
System Requirements (version 3.0)
* Windows XP – 32 and 64 bit versions
* Windows Vista – 32 and 64 bit versions
* 64 Mb RAM
* 50 Mb free disk space
Note – Windows 2000 users should download Comodo Firewall Pro 2.4
FREE DOWNLOAD Comodo Firewall Pro
> Here, Step by Step to switch over to Comodo Firewall Pro from ZoneAlarm Free Edition
1. First, download Comodo Firewall Pro so you don’t have to download when ZA is gone.
2. Go to ZA settings, set not to load at startup, Restart.
3. Shutdown ZA. Uninstall it. Restart the system.
4. Install Comodo Firewall Pro.
Notes:
+ You should turn off windows firewall when using a third party firewall.
+ Make sure though, you install it in the “Advanced” mode as the “Basic” installation has the HIPS and outbound protection disabled.
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Hi! Welcome to 
I’ve installed comodo firewall pro 3. Hmm, I think it’s protection is much better than ZA, but something really bothers me, CFP reports too many unneeded alerts, such as when firefox tries to save web page, when I’ll uninstall software, etc. Are there some ways to minimize CFP’s alerts? thanks
Hello Yohanes..
). so, if you need to minimize it, just set up your Defense+ security level to..”Clean PC Mode”..”Training mode” or even “Disabled” if you don’t need it.
CFP 3 has a good feature for our security, its Defense+ to monitor our apps. Nevertheless, its ‘frequently’ alerts may bother some people (like u and me too
Hey guys,
If I might add, I earlier used ZA Pro in tandem with AVG Free and last july I was infested by the XP antivirus malware and sorts of other stuff leading to www .winanonymous. com and a host of other websites. I tried blocking the sites in the restriscted zone of ZA but it kept coming with a new one. It got past through ZA ProTo top this AVG was not able to intercept the virus/malware and it shut down my system. In short it boiled down to reformatting my hdd and had to do a full windows re-install to get rid of it.
I used Avast Home Free and Windows firewall but again last Aug the same pest came to me..Avast didnt detect it at all. I only knew when I tried to do a system boot and walaah!!! I was infested with malware/trojans that i cannot remove. It took Malwarebytes / Superantispyware to remove all of it.
I also found out that Avast now detects malware in tandem with MBAM and SAS..seems the engine was challenged by the two. Lastly I added COMODO FP 3.0 because I didnt want to use ZA anymore owing to the experience. But I agree with HWDOT that ZA is easier to use than COMODO FP 3.o free version. Its good I feel safe enough but I find this one a nagging firewall and my kid can shut it down if he wants to. ZA has a password set if you want to shut it down but with CFP ..ehhh none. THERE IS ONE MORE GRAVE PROBLEM….I GET THE ERROR 109 whe I update CFP 3.0 free!!!! and up to now I cant update it!!
All in all I feel safer BUT I really need to update CFP ver3.0, this is the only software that I have encountered with updating problems.
gee tnx.
alvin
@alvin
You can uninstall CFP3.0 because the new version 3.5 is already available now. It comes with AV built-in! and rebranded as Comodo Internet Security.
You had better download manually the new version CIS 3.5 from the official website (not through the updater). Good luck!
can I use comodo along side defender? will there be any conflicts? thanks
Hi guys,
I’ve just tried to download CIS 3.5 for Vista64 at the official website: it’s said to be a 39MB file but when downloaded it is actually a 9MB only. The result is that it seems to be a corrupted file when launched. Any clues / any alternative download link?
Thanks!
Max
Is Comodo Firewall Pro the best firewall for my XP and my daughter’s Vista?
Since the updated Comodo has virus protection built in, will we be unable to use Avast Home (free) virus protection. I understand I can only use ONE virus protector on my computer. Which should I install first if I can use both???
IS THERE ANY SOFTWARE THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY TO ALLOW THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE / APPLICATIONS TO WORK ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER IN TANDOM WITHOUT SHOOTING THE SHIT OUT OF EACH OTHER ?
I.E. DIFFERENT COMPANIES HAVE STRONGER POINTS IN DIFFERING DEPARTMENTS. ANTIVIRUS , ANTISPYWARE , FIREWALL ETC JUST TO SAY I WOULD’NT LIKE TO HAVE A OVERZEALIOUS THIRD PARTY APPLICATION SHOOTING THE SHIT OUT OF ITUNES ETC ETC OR OTHER COMPETING SOFTWARE INSTALLED ON HARD DRIVES SINCE TRYING TO HAVE A INTERNET SECURITY SUITE THAT PERFECTLY COVERS ALL THE BASES IS AS I SEE IT IMPOSSIBLE THEREFORE PROBABLY NOT REALLY WORTH SPENDING YOUR HARD EARNED DOLLARS !!! AM I RIGHT OR AM I RIGHT
Sorry to ask this question, which I think some of us may be wondering, is CIS free for all to use, e.g. business, and non-profit organisation.
It seems I can’t find any clues about this.
thanks alot
@Max
You had better try to download it again here. CIS version 3.0 was only 9MB, but version 3.5 is larger (24MB for WinXP/vista 32bit, about 40MB for 64bit). You might be experiencing a connection failure and got broken download?
Alternatively, you can search on Google.com with keywords “download comodo internet security 3.5″ and choose only ‘trusted’ websites before downloading.
Note: The official website is recommended to prevent virusses from ‘unsafe’ website.
@Pamrick
Yeah, people usually use only one antivirus program. But i use 2, and it runs well on my pc (of course my pc is slower a bit than if i use just one).
i use avg free 8 + avast! home 4.8 + CIS 3.5. i install both antivirus first, CIS later..
You can install avast first then CIS later.
NOTE: i do not recommend you to use two or more same programs, because not only will they eat your memory resources but sometimes will also generate some conflicts between each other.
@PETER
Maybe you’re right
@Alan
As you may already know, this post was published back in January when the product was called ‘Comodo Firewall Pro’, it can be used at home or in a business for free. The official press release in February (link: http://www.comodo.com/news/press_releases/08_02_08.html) really mentioned it.
BUT, After Comodo has added a built-in Antivirus and rebrand it as CIS (Comodo Internet Security), the official press release in October (link: http://www.comodo.com/news/press_releases/28_10_08.html) said like this:
I don’t know whether “free to all PC users” is now including business or not (like mentioned in previous CFP clearly) I think, you had better contact COMODO for this to prevent any legal problem. For personal/home it is certainly free.
I only use vista windows firewall with advanced secuity with vista firewall control and it protect my system fine. Comodo is a great firewall but I don’t really need it
free Internet security and free firewall,antivirus that what I like about it