Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

Sativarg reviewed v7.0.0.123 on Oct 13, 2012

www.pctools.com/forum>PC Tools Firewall retired

"Support" said:Hi All,

PC Tools Firewall has been retired as a standalone product.

As a valued customer, we are offering you a 60-day subscription to PC Tools Internet Security for 1.99, which includes Firewall technology.

At the end of the 60-day period, your subscription will be automatically renewed for a full 12-month subscription which can be cancelled upon your request at anytime.

Thank you for your support of PC Tools Firewall.

PC Tools Team

brendank reviewed v7.0.0.123 on Aug 23, 2012

Great software. Uses 20 of 400 megabytes of RAM on my machine. Small footprint and low resource usage. Great options for firewalling / blocking also. Great software

carlo_tor reviewed v7.0.0.123 on May 9, 2012

Good Firewall. Small, effective, low resource requirement, work fine when Emule is running (Zonealarm's VSMON caused a very high cpu load)

razzs reviewed v7.0.0.123 on Oct 18, 2011

Must say pctools firewall plus rocks the free firewall world.With its latest version 7 pctools firewall plus performed very well with 10+ score in moustec test.Uses less pc resource only 5MB,no annoying pup-ups,doesn't slow down the pc,minimum conflicts with antispyware and antivirus programs,most simple user interface in firewall category and most of all it v7 contains HIPS similar to that of comodo.'USE IT TO BELIEVE IT'.4.7/5.VERY GOOD.

sweathog reviewed v7.0.0.111 on Jan 8, 2011

Used to like this firewall. But the latest version, 7.0.0.111, produces an error with Microsoft Office and some other programs. If you click on an office document file like .doc, the firewall issues the error "There was a problem sending the command to the program." This error also occurs if you try to open a webpage by clicking on a link in a program's helpfile.

sweathog reviewed v7.0.0.102 Beta 4 on Oct 25, 2010

This is a nice lightweight firewall. It would be nice to have a few more configuration options like granting access by time of day or specific protocol. But on the positive side, I haven't experienced any of the BSD reported by some other users with any version of PCTools, unlike my past experience with Outpost and Comodo. But I mostly do clean installs of firewalls after testing on a spare PC. They're too important to be larded on on top of older firewalls.

johnk119 reviewed v7.0.0.102 Beta 4 on Oct 20, 2010

I SERIOUSLY recommend you stick with comodo internet security as it includes both firewall and antivirus protection as well a many other protection tools.... I'll admit I've never had to use them all ... but at least they're there... if you're not stupid in terms of compuer terminology than go with comodo please for your own sake

JackRegan reviewed v7.0.0.77 Beta 3 on Sep 8, 2010

Maybe you should check your commputer CyberDoc999

CyberDoc999 reviewed v7.0.0.77 Beta 3 on Sep 8, 2010

Blue screen of death again
had to use system restore
they never get it right

CyberDoc999 reviewed v7.0.0.62 Beta 2 on Aug 19, 2010

blue scrreen of deaaaaath

Hall9000 reviewed v7.0.0.62 Beta 2 on Aug 17, 2010

Wow! SysremRestore is awesome. :P Had to use it after I installed not the beta but the actual normal version from their website. :P

bellgamin reviewed v7.0.0.62 Beta 2 on Aug 15, 2010

PCT Firewall had its beginnings as a clone of Look'n'Stop FW. PCTFW has since added several "anti-leak" HIPS-type checks so as to improve its scores on Matousec's tests.

PCTFW is a good, light, effective FW with better-than-average Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI).

NOTE: PCTFW does not require a restart during installation. Therefore you can painlessly take this beta for a test drive while in Shadow Mode (via Shadow Defender or Returnil or similar apps).

FreeSpeech reviewed v7.0.0.62 Beta 2 on Aug 13, 2010

Gave me my first ever blue screen before install finished. This is on a fresh Win7 install.
Restored image backup. Didn't want to waste time to try to uninstall.

smithdyer reviewed v7.0.0.543 on Apr 30, 2010

Wow!

Thats classy man! Great piece of work :)

Thanks for sharing that, the tools are just amazing and really very helpful.

By the way for more information on Internet security check this link: http://www.eccouncil.org...ecurity_specialist.aspx

ballyhairs reviewed v6.0.0.88 on Feb 2, 2010

Testing, so far so good
I hope I finally found a descent firewall
And hopefully they will keep it as good as it looks now, small footprint, not nagging all the time, efficient and free.
Will post in a while to tell how it went.

anomoly reviewed v6.0.0.88 on Jan 21, 2010

Leave it in ask mode and it will ask for every change; if the exe changes, if the location changes, etc. Sometimes it does hang the ap before rules are created but I'd rather that happen than it not ask.
The one ap which was weird was ultradefrag. Until I told it to allow child connect in advanced settings it would always ask every time I started it.
Updated on it's own perfectly this time.
All you have to do is check the application rules. If you allowed it once it should still have the rule regardless of your changing the allow known to ask.

Vivek Kowshik reviewed v6.0.0.88 on Jan 20, 2010

On my WinXP-SP3 tried out version 6.0.0.88. Set up the firewall to allow Firefox 3.5. Then turned on Chrome and the system just hung up and had to be reset. Same happened when I tried through another user account [I have Chrome installed under both accounts]. But this time the PC unfroze after a long time and asked if Chrome should be allowed memory access.

I also noticed that although I have disabled the option to automatically allow known software, another copy of chrome which I ran from the second account got automatic permission to access the net. This is installed in a different location, and the firewall should have asked if this should be allowed. Of course the file version is the same, but is this right??? I have seen Kerio Personal firewall asks me for confirmation if the same software is now running from another location. Fix these little buggies and I will give you guys 5 stars.

CyberDoc999 reviewed v6.0.0.88 on Jan 20, 2010

best of the best

Vivek Kowshik reviewed v6.0.0.86 on Dec 26, 2009

Excellent firewall with good customisation features. Only my WinXP-SP3 PC freezes every time I log off from one account and log into another.

asaenz reviewed v6.0.0.86 on Dec 2, 2009

Only a couple of things keep me from recommending this and they are: 1) it could use a training option for the first N days/hours, and 2) the memory use and processor use are more than some others (not bad though ... I've seen much worse). Comes right after my current favorites Online Armor and Comodo.

anomoly reviewed v6.0.0.81 on Nov 3, 2009

Had to exit previous but updated fine.
Simplest damn fw out there and scores high also.
That keylogger link is worthless. The only thing they have that's even slightly interesting much less 'scary' is the ssl test which is NOT free. But that's like pretending they invented it so that otta fly right out the window too.

googlebotz reviewed v6.0.0.74 on Oct 9, 2009

Another firewall that fails miserably............
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro is what I have been using and it expires in a few days but I plan to renew it after trying all the other worthless garbage out there.
Any firewall that makes me appear as a google bot to any website I visit and
blocks all port scans period is top notch in my opinion.Give Outpost Pro a try,you will never use anything else.

Sammo reviewed v6.0.0.69 on Sep 21, 2009

This is a very good firewall, but it can't really compare to Online Armor. PC Tools Firewall totally fails the tests at http://www.zemana.com/keylogger_test.aspx but Online Armor kills them dead.

anya reviewed v6.0.0.69 on Sep 17, 2009

Matousec:
1.Online Armor Personal Firewall 3.5.0.14 99% 10+ Excellent
2. PC Tools Firewall Plus 6.0.0.69 FREE 99% 10+ Excellent

borisf98 reviewed v6.0.0.69 on Sep 1, 2009

They screwed up in the latest version. I does not want to work on vista.

RMerlin reviewed v6.0.0.66 Beta on Aug 14, 2009

A former PCTFW user here who just came back to it. It's relatively lightweight, doesn't overburden you with paranoid security features that make using the computer too annoying, and it now has 64-bit support (at least under Windows 7). Previous versions would occasionally see their config files corrupt themselves, which was why I had dropped it. Going to see now if this has been since fixed.

janiesmiling reviewed v6.0.0.66 Beta on Aug 14, 2009

well.. i don't like using too many products for my computer's security.. so, i've chosen to use one that has modules like firewall, antispam, antiphishing, antivirus, antirootkit.. all in one: internet security 2009 from bitdefender. and i haven't had any problems ever since i installed it..
good luck and stay protected!

catchpole reviewed v6.0.0.66 Beta on Aug 13, 2009

Supports Windows 7 too, but remember it is beta

from PCTools forum :

Windows 7 Support – Firewall Plus has been designed to support both 32-bit and 64-bit version of the latest Microsoft operating system – Windows 7.

totnesian reviewed v6.0.0.66 Beta on Aug 13, 2009

PC tool product are always look good but I tried Firewall Plus, but had problems with computer locking up. After playing with settings and hanging the computer 4 times, I gave up. I reverted back to my old friend Online Armor but went for the Premium version and wow I love it - once you've used Run safer all other Firewall products just dont matchup

Jtaylor83 reviewed v5.0.0.38 on Jul 14, 2009

This product is better the Online Armor. OA is all buggy while PC Tools isn't.

sturgess reviewed v5.0.0.38 on Feb 24, 2009

Security on both my machines is free, it's never let me down, and it's all been supplied by PC Tools. I use their Firewall, their AntiVirus and the superb Threatfire. They all get a five from me every time.

Firewally reviewed v5.0.0.37 on Feb 21, 2009

I just install it and no problems at this point but I know it runs okay compering to comodo firewall this is on windows vista I LIKE IT

anomoly reviewed v5.0.0.37 on Jan 31, 2009

I am a big agnitum fan but the application rules for that fw were somehow very mixed up which was a 'concern'. Icons pointed to a different file and mouse over did the same??.
So comodo fw v3.8 beta was 'installed' and what a mistake that was. I had to reinstall my os because comodo would not take leave and I had no previous backup image.
This fw has a better score on matousec.com than does agnitum and it's free!
Installed in advanced/expert mode and couldn't be happier.
PC boots faster than with agnitum or that POS comodo. FW is also seemingly very easy to use. No boot issues whatsoever.
Xp pro sp3 with sharpe enviro shell replacement on an amd cpu

Joco reviewed v5.0.0.37 on Jan 29, 2009

Completely freezes my WinXP (Windows Update all done). Reproducible everytime. Must power off.

RandyN reviewed v5.0.0.36 on Dec 29, 2008

Completely surprised by how good this is. Tried it several versions ago and wasn't impressed. Installed this on Vista HP and it runs great and offers decent HIPS functions. You cannot even tell it's there from a performance perspective.

Best way is to try this yourself (after imaging your system) and ignore many of these reviews since a lot of these people either don't know what they're talking about or haven't even tried it.

Sammo reviewed v5.0.0.36 on Dec 15, 2008

Another excellent release of the PC Tools Firewall - http://www.pctools.com/f.../showthread.php?t=55566

Jesus Christ reviewed v5.0.0.36 on Dec 15, 2008

What a waste. Doesn't support 64-bit Vista. Is Symantec the only company that knows how to create a high quality firewall that works perfectly in 64-bit Vista regardless of whether or not Vista Service Pack 1 or 2 Beta is installed?

cmotdibbler reviewed v5.0.0.36 on Dec 15, 2008

I've been using version 5 through various betas over the past few months (XPSP3). The FWService.exe and FirewallGUI.exe services use 13 megs and 6.1 megs of ram which is pretty good. I get the total stealthed rating at shields up using Opera 10 alpha and firefox 3.1 beta. I've had no spam or pleas for $$$ from the developers, so don't know what that is about.

Sammo reviewed v5.0.0.32 Beta on Dec 7, 2008

Excellent firewall with small footprint. Info on this beta - http://www.pctools.com/f.../showthread.php?t=54827

Unbreakable_ reviewed v5.0.0.32 Beta on Dec 7, 2008

Very lightweight and secure firewall... Has really improved with version 5.0.

Undesired Username reviewed v5.0.0.32 Beta on Dec 5, 2008

I wouldn't use PC Tools software if it were free and I were paid $100 per week to do so.

Not only is it crap, they're spammers and scammers. KMA.

LakotaElf reviewed v5.0.0.32 Beta on Dec 4, 2008

Every time I have used pc tools antivirus or firewall I always ended up in trouble, usually after some sort of update that did not work well or went wrong or was not programed or made correctly. So I have deleted this from my systen, I tried them four different times only to end in failure after a month or so or after some sort of corrupted update. Enough is enough.

horsecharles reviewed v5.0.0.25 Beta on Nov 18, 2008

EDIT:

junked it...like the others--

System slowed down to a crawl...AND the web--some java applets & interactions with IE stopped functioning.....driver and Windows updates installs would not take; all that in spite of overly permissive settings & disabled / slimmed down modules on my part(and yes, running apps with elevated privileges as well).

The main cause as i gather-- the firewall takes it upon itself to guard and block a lot of internal things without even asking or warning.

Firewalls need to have some totally open mode choice, esp. in the beginning-- whether it's called learning, expert, advanced, user-choice, verbose, whatever.... and ask about 'everything'(one can always set a rule to always after initial prompt)...not just some processes. This is the same lousy tack IE has taken...and why it can't work properly at many sites(yet competing IE-engine browsers have no problems).

Thankfully, one could associate(& fix) all these problems to the newly-installed firewall...IIIFFFF this had been a new system, we would've been troubleshooting for eons...

We are now happily on Sunbelt Kerio.-- good to see that Sunbelt did not ruin(actually just the opposite) what was our favorite firewall for years.
___________________________

I like PCTools Firewall so far.

I just began sampling third party firewalls on Vista... while troubleshooting some third party software performance and secure access issues.

1. Vista is so refreshingly zippy without any security apps running-- from its own firewall to etc.... and so slow otherwise-- slower than windows 3 & 95 used to run on 486's & P1's.

2. I do NOT recommend replacing vista firewall...you'll cry.
You'll cry because basically no firewall is yet totally ready for vista(think of the many problems Norton & Macafee had post win9x):
A. they take so long to install(actually appear to be hopelessly frozen during setup) / install incorrectly(requiring multiple reboots & reinstalls)...this mind you-- with all relevant sexurity apps disabled / uninstalled, as well as the setup Running As Admin.
Sometimes the uninstall routine has hangups-- when a firewall's not correctly & totally removed, you can lose internet access.

B. You'd be surprised how mediocre, buggy and poorly-performing some of the big names & top awardees from Matousec site are:

from forcefully scanning system for malware and/or Wizard app initially--(even when allowing option to deselect / not run it)-- go out for dinner to a fancy restaurant in the meantime...it's gonna take a long time to run...

to utilizing so much resources your computer grinds to a halt....

to not providing a listing of the programs so that one can individually edit permissions for....

These are the two i just sampled-- and promptly ditched(one was a devil to unistall)--
Online Armor Personal Firewall Free
Comodo Firewall Pro(free edition)

I've kept PC Tools Firewall Plus 5 so far... its resource usage is so, so much lower...and it's a lot more intuitive...up to a point though-- here are main thoughts:

A. Install routine still takes a long time, like its competitors. Even if computer seems frozen, do not interrupt-- go get a sandwich or something.

EDIT B: Small bug: editing a program settings in firewall options will freeze the program and require a reboot in order to be able to use it(taskbar icon for that app freezes solid-- other taskbar icons can be used)

C. Setup offers to also install ThreatFire-- an AV type module. I didn't like it: its what brings its performance down to the mediocre level of its competitors. The module wants to mimic other 'advanced competitors' and not just trust that you know your programs and scan for known malware... it wants so sift every behavior(not just packets) of all your apps running for possible hijacked exploits-- this will really slow down the whole system.

D. When you click Apps tab-- there doesn't seem to be a way to add apps(for exception & special settings purposes)...but...there is a green plus sign icon, no label, that you must click.

So far so good...seems like a keeper...although i will also try Sunbelt Kerio free version and the free ZA Pro giveaway for today.

Two things to keep in mind re the Matousec reviews(which rate a handful competitors cosiderably higher):

1. The PCTools version tested is 4...this one is 5-- which given Vista's relative newness(& difference re other NT versions) is 'assumedly' much improved.

2. The firewall reviews border on useless for practical reasons-- they need to test on 'unsterile' systems like we all have-- full of apps already. That is the way to get real world performance & catch conflict & bugs with the majority of third party software most of us use.

I've just wasted the better part of two days 'trying' to test other firewalls...like trying to drag a spoiled brat kicking and screaming somewhere it doesn't want to go to.

I long for the old Kerio / Tiny on previous Windows versions days-- quick & painless to install(& uninstall), simple to modify / edit.

HTH

NightFright reviewed v5.0.0.25 Beta on Nov 18, 2008

This firewall has seen quite some improvements since v2.0 when I first used it. Back then, it was rather weak in leak tests. Its strengths have always been the nice, comprehensive GUI and its very low impacts on system performance (de facto not noticable).
The new versions since v4.0 are definitely among the best freeware firewalls you can find. I am using a router with hardware firewall and still rely on this for outgoing traffic, for there is no better program for this.

cmotdibbler reviewed v5.0.0.25 Beta on Nov 18, 2008

Version 5.0.0.25 Beta uses about 13 and 6 megs of ram for the FWService.exe and FirewallGUI.exe services on my XP SP3 rig. About the same as earlier versions. I found this to be a nice firewall and lighter in resources than online armor or comodo.

smarterthanyou reviewed v5.0.0.25 Beta on Nov 18, 2008

According to the official website, 64-bit Vista is not supported. This is inexcusable for any firewall or antivirus program that claims to be compatible with Vista.

uberfly reviewed v5.0.0.25 Beta on Nov 18, 2008

Peter - it's rated "Recommended", scored a "Very Good" and is free (and reviewed is the previous version). A decent basic firewall.

pjafrombbay reviewed v5.0.0.25 Beta on Nov 17, 2008

Before you actually download this firewall and install it have a look at this site for an unbiased review of firewalls (free and commercial):

http://www.matousec.com/...l-challenge/results.php

Personally I would use either Comodo or Online Armour.

Regards,
Peter

leofelix reviewed v4.0.0.45 on Nov 9, 2008

Excellent personal firewall, light and powerful. It doesn't slow down your system

Amdis reviewed v4.0.0.45 on Oct 14, 2008

I installed the latest version not that long ago and i must say...great Firewall, it uses less resources then the previous FIrewall i used.

It loads very fast, is easy to use...and i repeat Great Firewall. :)

Chocobito reviewed v4.0.0.45 on Sep 4, 2008

Excellent Free Firewall, this came in several languages, its more slight that Comodo and other and have a very good score in Matousec.com (10+). Personally I was desapointed with the new Comodo 3 and the old version 2 have many bugs, but PC Tools Firewall have a nice balance with performance and low resource. With this version a don't have bugs or memory leak, work flawless.

softapo7 reviewed v4.0.0.45 on Aug 15, 2008

Really DOES NOT have bugs and does not use too much memory- may not be the most configurable of firewalls but also does not throw up all those annoying pop-ups. Works seamlessly and no problems at all.

winamp reviewed v4.0.0.45 on Aug 15, 2008

best ever. peddas favorit..

JamalHadiou reviewed v4.0.0.40 on Jul 20, 2008

Has a HUGE system impact, tons of bugs, and allows programs before it shows you the "Allow" prompt *DUH*

bellgamin reviewed v4.0.0.40 on Jul 8, 2008

PCT's Firewall is one of the very best. SPI-capable and very easy to learn & use. For full evaluations & tutorials, I recommend reading the forum threads at...

HERE
and
HERE

tipstir reviewed v4.0.0.35 Beta on Jul 2, 2008

Although this is my favorite firewall, nothing but trouble with this release. They should even release is as stable but it's still beta. I couldn't even do a remote to screen capture as the system would crash! I thought it was Threatfire but it wasn't! So back to 3.0.1.14 for now very stable. It has code injection as the with version 4 it seems to be gone and replace with quiet mode, which is a joke!

Tao2005 reviewed v4.0.0.35 Beta on Jun 27, 2008

Well people, if your wanting this. Best wait for the full version. Cause in english beta means buggy. May have a smaller footprint then CFP. I don't care, I trust CFP. Been a very loyal user of theirs.

bellgamin reviewed v4.0.0.35 Beta on Jun 26, 2008

For a series of meaningful review comments on an independent security forum by competent users of PCT's firewall, check Wilders Security Forums.

PCT's firewall is very competent, steady & stable, and has a small footprint.

Fats Terminal reviewed v4.0.0.28 on Jun 19, 2008

This is a beta version so don't be so judgemental yet. PC Tools is a pretty good firewall and one of a few that work well in Vista and do well on leak tests. Make sure you have the settings adjusted properly. Enable protection against code injection if you want to be protected against malware and programs that phone home.

robmanic44 reviewed v4.0.0.28 Beta on Jun 17, 2008

If you run your system through a router you don't need a software firewall. It isn't free if it takes out your system.

Tao2005 reviewed v4.0.0.28 Beta on Jun 17, 2008

I do agree that XP firewall offers no protection, neither does this. I heard it BSOD other peoples PC's. It just froze my system. Grrr. So I settled down with Comodo Firewall Pro.

r0b3rt reviewed v4.0.0.28 Beta on Jun 16, 2008

Bluescreened my Vista SP1 system. First time I've seen a bluescreen in Vista.

Before it blue-screened (and then uninstalled) It hung the GRC.com leaktest, didn't pass or fail, it just hung. It also seemed to auto-allow many applications (like firefox), but never asked to allow my internet games, it just caused them to hang.

DudeBoyz reviewed v4.0.0.28 Beta on Jun 16, 2008

I think the new version of Zone Alarm (v7.0.473.000) sets the bar pretty darn high, and after trying this on my other machine, I'm sad to say that it doesn't really come close to reaching it.

I applaud the effort and that it is free, and it would have perhaps been a good option when Zone Alarm 5 and 6 were kinda sucking, but this thing just can't hold its own against Version 7 of Zone Alarm, both for the local in-house peer to peer network and the internet.

I hope they work harder to make it more secure and capable, not just for the web, but also for peer to peer.

Good luck to the programmers, cause it's always good to have competition, and if they can ramp up the quality and capabilities, it may just end up as a competitive product.

more10s reviewed v3.0.1.14 on Apr 20, 2008

XP-firewall has no outbound protection so I went for this one. Free, lightweight, non-bloated, looks good, hardly uses any CPU. Works great on XP and Vista.

zapatero reviewed v3.0.1.9 on Feb 27, 2008

I use it in Windows XP SP2, because I think it provides better protection than the Windows Firewall, it does not cause problems and it is free. I am not paranoid about these things, and I would never use a complex fw like Comodo 3.x. And, just in case, I always keep image backups of the system partition.

CyberDoc999 reviewed v3.0.0.60 on Jan 10, 2008

Fails leak test

tipstir reviewed v3.0.0.52 on Jan 7, 2008

I gave this a 4, as I am still trying it out and see how it goes. Without DSA Dynmanic Security Agent. So far so good without it. Protection wise seems to be good it can do the samething as DSA if you want that to happen too often, but the defaults are okay. It doesn't block the next like everyone keeps on saying here everywhere else.

When you installing it will shut your PC from the network then a discovery is done soon after and you're back up on the network. I see other firewalls like Online Armor Free after you remove it you have to put the PC IP address back to static or you'll be there trying to figure out why that PC can't use the DHCP from the router.

But anyway this firewall very light on system resources and if you have PC Tools Spyware Doctor it has a feature for that program direct detection so no need to create a rule of it.

Well I'll report back and see how it goes..

Betamin reviewed v3.0.0.52 on Dec 16, 2007

I installed this product on Vista. All access to internet were blocked after the installation. Change any settings or disable the firewall (with application blocking disabled). Can't get internet access back with every settings. Got internet access again after remove (un-installed) the product.

Tried to install again, lost all access again. Remove the product, everything works again.

Please advise if anyone know what went wrong.

Thanks!!

Death-Axe reviewed v3.0.0.52 on Nov 27, 2007

Worst. Firewall. Ever.

I installed this and could not access ANYTHING at all on the internet. This blocked all applications, even if they were set as full access granted. I tried every setting on this thing (trust me, as an advanced user, I suggest you always try all settings for any software you get, with or without problems). Alas... nothing. Nada. Even closing the firewall, turning it of etc..nada. Uninstalled..all fine again.

Get comodo 2.xx. Best firewall out at the moment.

speedwaystar reviewed v3.0.0.52 on Nov 6, 2007

Leak test review:
http://www.matousec.com/.../leak-tests-results.php

Product: PC Tools Firewall Plus 3.0.0.36
Product score: 5825
Level of Anti-leak Protection: Poor

Methsrine reviewed v3.0.0.52 on Nov 6, 2007

Fast and works well. Everything i need.

Galifray reviewed v3.0.0.29 Beta on Aug 29, 2007

I tried this firewall, and I had to uninstall it shortly thereafter. It tagged any attempt to connect with MSNBC by Firefox as improper and shut down all attempts to use the internet. Nothing short of shutting down PC Tools would allow me to access the internet from that point onwards.
Yes, I tried altering the settings, but to no avail.
For a newbie, this behavior would be a cause for panic. For an advanced user, a headache.

Sammo reviewed v3.0.0.29 Beta on Aug 28, 2007

I had several issues with the previous versions, but do not have them with the latest beta. Light on resources and added features as well. So far, so good.

DakotaSunRunner reviewed v3.0.0.29 Beta on Aug 28, 2007

this is a very good firewall, but the new beta version is presenting problems for some (especailly Vista users). I am staying away from the new beta version and waiting till they come out with a final. I have had no problems with the version I have now which is V2.0.0.25

hunterb reviewed v2.0.0.25 on Jun 6, 2007

Seems quite fast (lot faster than Comodo). Simple, clean interface. The only problem i had was the web browsing advanced rule starting blocking Maxthon/IE7 as the port number usage increased beyond the old scope (I had to open up the source port range to all ports).
Things that need improvement:
1. I'd like to see application level stats, not just which are 'active' - i want to see how active.
2. Logs are not sortable, filterable or exportable which makes it very difficult to analyse.

zapatero reviewed v2.0.0.25 on Jun 6, 2007

It seems to work, does not cause any obvious problems. Good interface, no noticeable load on the system.