PC Tools Firewall Plus Editor's Review

'PC Tools Firewall Plus' is a free personal firewall designed for beginners and average PC users. This doesn't mean that it's not a competitive product. On the contrary, its features, such as traffic (packet) filtering and application control make it a viable solution for securing your privacy while browsing the Web.

Installing and using the program is simple. However, the installation of this application will disable all other firewalls on your PC to avoid any conflicts between programs. After rebooting your computer, you have to configure the installed applications' access to the Internet. The program will automatically detect any application trying to access the Internet and notifies you in a pop-up window. You may choose to allow or block that program and set the firewall to remember the action taken. Therefore, it will apply it in the future as well.

When it comes to traffic filtering, you have access to a customizable list of filtering rules, which help you open or block protocols and ports. Thus, you can make sure your PC is protected against malware that damages data or steals private information. I tested the program usingPC Flank Leaktest and it blocked access, so PC Tools Firewall Plus passed the test.

I also tested the program using McAffee online firewall test (port scan) and the only vulnerability found was on port 139 (NetBIOS). The test checked the following ports: 21 (FTP), 23 (Telnet), 25 (SMTP Mail Server Port), 25 (SMTP Mail Server Port), 80 (HTTP), 110 (POP3 Mail Server Port), 139 (Net BIOS), 143 (IMAP), and 443 (HTTPS). The test was performed after I configured the program's access by using the default traffic filtering rules.

Pluses: The program is free, easy to configure, and suitable even for beginners. For those who deal for the first time with a firewall, there is a 'Quick Start guide' available for more information.

Drawbacks / flaws: It won't filter instant messaging applications' traffic, or block pop-ups. It doesn't offer e-mail protection or ad-blocking.

In conclusion: A free solution for safe Web browsing.