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“If you have a Wi-Fi router, you probably already have some protection against hackers thanks to a hardware firewall that came with it. Also, your operating system might already have a program firewall built in. For example, Windows users have Windows Defender. This built-in protection is especially important because, according to the AV-Test Security Report 2017/2018, Windows is the most targeted operating system, which shows how important these protections are.
But it’s important to keep in mind that these built-in firewalls have their limits, and there may be times when you need more safety. Also, security needs to be improved for more than just Windows users. No operating system is completely safe from cyberattacks, so it’s important for everyone to keep an eye on how safe their internet-connected gadgets are. In these situations, the best way to protect against malware threats is to run antivirus software and an extra firewall layer. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get third-party firewall software. In fact, with the Best Free Firewalls, you can protect your devices without spending a dime.
How Firewalls Work?
A firewall manages incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security criteria. Firewalls defend networks against viruses, unauthorized access, and other threats. Firewalls check network packets, the basic unit of data transferred over a network. Firewalls can read network packet headers to determine the source, destination, and data type. Firewalls can also analyze network packets to restrict specific applications or traffic.
Two important types of firewalls are packet filtering and stateful. The simplest firewall is packet filtering. They check network packet headers and block those that don’t satisfy criteria. Packet filtering firewalls are less advanced than stateful firewalls. They monitor network connections and prohibit unauthorized traffic. Hardware and software firewalls exist. Hardware firewalls are intended to fulfill firewall tasks. Computers and servers run software firewalls. Any network security plan needs firewalls. Choosing and configuring a firewall can greatly improve security and protect enterprises from unwanted access, malware, and other dangers.
Importance of a Firewall in Cybersecurity
A firewall is a network security device that checks and controls both incoming and outgoing network traffic based on a set of security rules. Firewalls are important for keeping hackers, malware, and other threats out of networks.
In terms of safety, the importance of a firewall can be summed up as follows:
- Stops people from getting into a network without permission: A firewall can stop people from getting into a network without permission by blocking data from untrusted sources.
- Protects against malware: A firewall can help protect against malware by blocking incoming traffic that includes malicious code.
- Stops data breaches: A firewall can help stop data breaches by stopping private data from leaving the network.
Best Free Firewalls Comparison Table
There should be no loopholes in the protection provided by the firewall; instead, it should sound an alarm if there is an effort to gain unauthorized access and should respond immediately.
Firewall | Sophos XG Firewall Home Edition | TotalAV | ZoneAlarm Free Firewall | GlassWire Firewall | Comodo Free Firewall |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | Starts at $14.99/year | Starts at $39.95/year | Free | Free | Free |
Web protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Malware protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Phishing protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
VPN | Yes (500MB/day) | No | No | No | No |
Download Link | Download Now | Download Now | Download Now | Download Now | Download Now |
List of the Best Free Firewalls
Firewalls are pieces of software that are installed on computers in order to increase their levels of safety and protection. It prevents unauthorized users from connecting to a private network or local area network (LAN). Installing a firewall on your personal computer, smartphones, or tablet serves the objective of providing protection against potential malware attacks that may originate from the internet or other linked networks. The list of the Top Free Firewall Software, including with connections to their most popular features and websites, is presented below for your perusal. The list includes both open source software (which is free) and commercial software (which requires payment).
Sophos XG Firewall Home Edition

Feature | Description |
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Advanced Threat Protection | Shields against malware, ransomware, and exploits. |
VPN Support | Secure remote access with VPN capabilities. |
Intrusion Prevention | Guards against network attacks and threats. |
Web Filtering | Filters web content and enforces safe browsing. |
Application Control | Manages and controls application usage on the network. |
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The cybersecurity market is seeing Sophos emerge as a rising star, and the company’s superb software for protecting businesses is also available for use in homes. When compared to the software that is typically used for firewalls, this security solution is particularly advanced. This security solution protects not only individual computers but also the entire network.
One of the best free firewalls available for individual usage is the Sophos XG Firewall Home Edition. The XG Firewall is also offered for commercial use, and the business version is just as good as the consumer version. However, there is a charge associated with that edition. In addition to preventing outside dangers from entering the home network, the Sophos system enables parents to restrict their children’s access to the internet.
The Good
- Robust advanced threat protection.
- VPN support for secure remote access.
- Effective web content filtering.
The Bad
- Complex setup for beginners.
TotalAV

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Antivirus Protection | Detects and removes viruses, malware, and spyware. |
Real-time Monitoring | Constantly monitors for threats and suspicious activity. |
System Optimization | Optimizes system performance for better speed. |
Web Protection | Blocks malicious websites and phishing attempts. |
VPN (Paid Version) | Provides secure browsing with a virtual private network. |
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You are protected from harmful viruses, malware, and potentially hazardous websites by using TotalAV, which is among the best firewall software available. It protects against malware, ransomware, spyware, and adware in real time and gives this protection against all of them.
Your devices can be accessed remotely thanks to the Remote Firewall feature. It provides a safe and anonymous means of navigating the internet and encrypts all of your online data. Protection against viruses in real time. Please let you know if any of your credentials have been compromised due to a data breach that occurred online. It provides a very secure platform. Safe to Store Passwords.
The Good
- Strong antivirus protection.
- Real-time monitoring for proactive threat detection.
- System optimization for improved performance.
The Bad
- Limited features in the free version.
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Two-Way Firewall | Monitors both inbound and outbound traffic. |
Identity Protection | Safeguards personal information from online threats. |
Application Control | Manages and restricts application access. |
Online Backup | Provides secure cloud backup for data protection. |
Threat Emulation (Paid) | Analyzes suspicious files in a virtual environment. |
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The free version of ZoneAlarm Firewall is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 9, and 10. Because it comes with a number of useful add-ons, this system is recommended for use with Wi-Fi networks in the house as well as portable computers that access the internet in public areas. A connection to the internet (for downloading) and an email address (for activating) are all that are required to successfully install it.
The data loss prevention and inbound threat blocking capabilities of ZoneAlarm Free Firewall are provided by the firewall service itself. Instead of installing on the gateway of the home network, this program is installed on a local computer where it provides protection. This indicates that it needs to be installed on each and every endpoint that is connected to your network. Windows is the only operating system supported.
The Good
- Effective two-way firewall.
- Identity protection for online security.
- Application control for managing access.
The Bad
- Some advanced features are only available in the paid version.
GlassWire Firewall

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Network Monitoring | Visualizes network activity in real-time. |
Firewall Alerts | Provides alerts for unusual network behavior. |
Bandwidth Usage | Monitors bandwidth consumption by applications. |
Privacy Protection | Alerts on suspicious or unauthorized network access. |
Firewall Lock (Paid) | Locks down the firewall for added security. |
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GlassWire is a free network monitoring and security application that includes a firewall as part of its core functionality. This firewall software can monitor both the past and the present behavior on your network. Provides additional protection for your computer or server on the Internet by allowing you to view all of the past and current networking data.
You can stop the software with only one click if you want to. It is helpful in keeping track of how much bandwidth you use on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
This software allows for the monitoring of a variety of remote servers.
The Good
- Intuitive network monitoring with visual displays.
- Firewall alerts for enhanced security awareness.
- Bandwidth usage tracking for efficiency.
The Bad
- Some advanced features require a paid upgrade.
Comodo Free Firewall

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Firewall Protection | Blocks incoming and outgoing threats. |
Defense+ Technology | Protects against malware and zero-day attacks. |
Secure Shopping (Paid) | Safely shops online with a secure browser environment. |
Cloud-Based Analysis | Leverages cloud resources for threat analysis. |
Auto-Sandboxing (Paid) | Runs suspicious files in a secure sandbox. |
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Comodo is a cybersecurity software company that has won multiple awards and develops a firewall for all versions of Windows, beginning with XP and continuing through Windows 10. There is a free firewall available as an alternative to the commercial firewall, which the firm asserts is the best free firewall in the world.
The Comodo Free Firewall is simple to use and automatically configures itself. A threat intelligence feed, for example, which automatically updates the program without any intervention from the user is one of the many value-added features that can be accessed from Comodo’s cloud platform at no additional cost. The package comes with settings that are optimized for the typical computer, but you also have the option to manually alter its configuration.
The Good
- Strong firewall protection.
- Defense+ technology for advanced security.
- Cloud-based analysis for up-to-date threat detection.
The Bad
- Some features are locked behind a paywall.
Installation and Configuration Tips for Free Firewalls
Here are some tips on how to install and set up free firewalls:
- Choose a firewall that fits your needs. There are many free firewalls to choose from, so it is important to choose one that fits your needs. Think about the size of your network, the types of traffic you need to allow, and the amount of security you need.
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions to set up the firewall: Firewalls are complicated pieces of software that need to be set up properly. Follow the steps carefully to make sure nothing goes wrong.
- Set up the router so that it follows your security policy: After installing the firewall, you need to set it up so that it works with your security rules. This means deciding which ports, services, and IP addresses can connect to your network.
Questions and Answers
A: When picking a free firewall, you should think about how easy it is to use, how customizable it is, how well it works with your operating system, and how trustworthy the software company is. It’s also important to compare benefits and read reviews from other users.
A: Yes, firewalls and security programs do different things. Antivirus software is mostly used to find and remove malware, while a firewall is used to control network traffic and stop people from getting in without permission. For complete safety, you should have both.
A: Some free firewalls have business versions, but it’s usually best to buy a dedicated business firewall for better protection and features that fit the needs of a business. Usually, a higher amount of security is needed to protect business data.