The Best of Both Phone, and Tablet
CNET Editors' review
Ashampoo FireWall Free is an easy-to-use program that lets users to their computers from unwanted connections to the Internet. Though it may not be the most robust firewall available, it's a great choice for novice users who know they want protection but aren't sure how a firewall should be configured.
The program's interface is sleek and intuitive, with its functions neatly organized in tabs. Users don't have to do much to configure the program initially; it will automatically notify users when an application attempts to connect to the Internet and ask whether users want to allow this action. Users can also go into the program and manually add rules for various programs. All the basic functions were intuitive and worked well, and the built-in Help file, while a little awkward in style, provides a good overview of the program's features and how to use them. In addition to allowing users to define connection rules for applications, the program lets users view connection statistics and logs of connection activity. The program contains an Internet Cleaner feature that allows users to erase evidence of their Internet activity, although we're not sure this is anything a user couldn't do from within their browser. Overall, we found the program to be a simple way for users to add a basic level of protection to their computers.
This freeware installs without issues but does leave files behind upon removal. We recommend this program to novice and intermediate users who want the protection of a firewall without a lot of hassle.
Publisher's Description
From Ashampoo:
The Ashampoo FireWall makes it easy for anyone to set up an effective, free firewall. Its Configuration Assistant guides you through every step of the the setup process. Easy Mode makes using it a breeze. You dont need any special technical knowledge, and everything is explained clearly. Even with its additional security tools, Ashampoo Firewall is a tiny program that uses very little memory and computer resources. You get heavy-duty protection without a heavyweight load on your system. The Ashampoo FireWall user interface explains itself every step of the way. The information is right there on the screen where you need it so that most users will never need to consult the help files.
Version 1.2 improves multi-language support.
What's new in this version: Version 1.2 improves multi-language support.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 685 votes
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Current version:
3.2 starsout of 160 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"why is this in the FREE software?"
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
it has 10 days trial * you can register for 30 days extra trial
Cons
there is NO free version
Summary
the name is misleading and it's in the wrong category. The software is OK, not the best, Windows Firewall would do a better job.
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"Held up for a while, then tanked"
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
The somewhat advanced rules compared to others like ZoneAlarm
Cons
Sometimes the program would lock up and not pop up a prompt when a program would try to get its way through the firewall, would have to close the program or wait a random amount of time before the prompt would show up to answer the Deny/Allow.
Summary
It seemed to be an all right firewall application. I liked the advanced rules compared to some other free firewall applications. Like what I said in the cons, the new rule popup wouldn't come up and be available, causing delays for me. It would eventually come up though. What did for me was just now, it was erroring out on every reboot and the Dr. Watson debugger had piled up a GB+ log file because of it. I uninstalled and am looking for a replacement.
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"Firewall with a lot of bricks missing"
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
Really nice interface and work-flow
Logical and easy to understand setup
Light on the system
Excellent for monitoring software activity and outgoing internet connectionsCons
No protection from network attacks (XP SP3)
Stops working in case Windows Firewall (ICS) service is shutdown due to its vulnerability, makes me think that this program is not self-sufficient at all!Summary
I was happy with this for months, until my OS got hacked and my computer was infected. I realized that in my case at least, Ashampoo Firewall only works for outgoing connections. The stats page reports 0 blocked incoming attacks, that is ZERO attacks were stopped with this firewall.
Thank you for the free product Ashampoo but come back when you learn how to code a firewall yourself that knows what is going on with the network connection. -
"Ashampoo will not work on XP Pro SP3"
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
Easy to install. That's it!
Cons
Disabled my antivirus from updating.
I tried to contact support, but they just ignored me.
No way around it so had to delete.Summary
Went back to Zone Alarm.
Because of my problem with this firewall I wrote to the company. The following is their response.
Updated on Feb 7, 2012
"thank you for your interest in our software. Unfortunately, development and support for your product has been discontinued. Please use a different firewall product." -
"Would not Install under W7U64"
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
Would not install
Cons
Would not install
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"Works well with 64bits Windows..."
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
I switched to a 64bit OS recently, and this was one of the very few Firewalls that was problem free and fully compatible.
Cons
I have no cons... it works well!
Summary
It does what it should... protects my computer from potential intrusions, and I am content.
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"Easy to setup and use"
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
Easy setup, just unpack and install...configures basic settings on its own...controls are easy to follow for personalizing on your own system...it learns as it goes, setting rules for your programs that access the net, which you can set each time or every time
Cons
Haven't seen any yet (realistically, there won't be any cons unless I get hacked...)
Summary
Been using it for over a year, upgrading along the way, haven't been hacked yet so I see it as an easy to use free firewall
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"Junk (is Ashampoo writing CNET's web code?)"
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
Signalls up front it's junk, which is good.
Cons
Wasted my time.
Summary
Generally, Ashampoo products are crap. That's just my experience having used a good half-dozen or so of their products over the years, in various incarnations. Ashampoo Firewall Free lives down to my expectations. I downloaded the installer and ran it. It have dialup so it took a good while for the installer to download the 10mb worth of data it needed to proceed. When it finished downloading, I got a message asking if I wished to proceed. I shut off the firewall software I'm trying to replace and disconnected from the internet; in my experience, you generally want to at least disable Anti-Virus/Firewall software before you try to install replacement Anti-Virus/Firewall software. And when you disable your firewall, you disconnect from the Internet so you don't drop your security. What could go wrong, right? AFE already had the files it needed, right? Well, I got some idiotic error message from AFE that says it can't install on Windows NT systems beyond version 6 (I'm on XP SP2, don't know if geek speek for XP is NT 7 or what, don't care), and the installer goes kaput and disappears. Then came the fun part. When I re-connected to the Internet and re-started the AFE installer...yep, you guessed it! AFE wants to download the 10mb all over again.
No thanks, that's a pretty clear signal I don't want Ashampoo's devs anywhere NEAR my computer. That would be like letting someone who's afraid of flying objects play outfield. It'll probably be a long time before I try another Ashampoo product, because they were already hanging by a thread. As far as I'm concerned it just broke. -
"Easy to Use But..."
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
Set up and use is easy.
Cons
Other security programs -- Avast! Antivirus and Spyware Doctor -- were blocked from automatic (and manual) updates, even after Ashampoo asked for allowing their programs to access the 'net. Even after I edited the rules to allow unrestricted access to all connections, it still wouldn't allow updates. Disabling the firewall still blocked updating, too. This firewall is useless to me if it makes my other security programs unable to update.
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"easy and effective"
Version: Ashampoo FireWall Free 1.2
Pros
easy and effective
Cons
none at this price point
