Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition User Reviews
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"It does work with Windows 98"
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
It was the only free program I found that worked as a firewall for Windows 98.
Cons
I had a probem with it freezing up the internet permently until I uninstalled it.
Summary
If you have to have a firewall, then you could use this. It was just too troublesome for me because I don't use window 98 much for the internet.
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"Great for newbies, not great for personalising."
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
Gorgeous interface. Popups are easily stilled once you've allowed/blocked the program.
Cons
Can't tailor blocks/allows by a range of IP addresses or ports. Apparently setting specific "safe/danger zones" by a range of IPs doesn't allow or prohibit a program from being allowed/disallowed.
Summary
This isn't a personal firewall; typically the "personal" means you can tailor it to your personal computer's needs. Since this one only allows exceptions to be set up for one specific IP address or port, I do not have time to set up 256 exceptions for one program's need of the x.y.z.0-x.y.z.255 addresses (not even mentioning which ports I'm okay with it using)! I put in my range as a "safe" zone, and keyed up the exception to allow my program to access all safe zones... yet it constantly popped up with asking for an exception. I don't want all my programs just allowed to access any IP address; I know what I'm doing and I know what I want my programs to access (or not to), so only being able to entirely allow or block a specific program is about as useful as no firewall whatsoever.
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"It Got Uninstalled"
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
Easy to set up, nice GUI, lots of feed back mechanisms.
Cons
Frequent interruptions from IP blocks, interferes with normal web browsing.
Summary
I was very pleased with this program for the first few hours it was on my system. So I installed it on my lap top as well. But the honey moon was quickly over. I was continuously interrupted by alerts for attempted IP access and service hosts which were being blocked because there was no default rule for them. These were most likely legitimate, routine "phone home" attempts by various programs installed on my system, but there was easy no way for me to tell or authorize.
Then I began having problems browsing the web. Sometimes I could go several pages before I would get a "waiting for whatever.com", some times only 2-3. I noticed the same issue on my lap top, so I shut the fire wall off, and sure enough - no problem. The problem also showed up with Chrome, Firefox (although firefox didn't have it as soon). I couldn't find anything reported in the logs that stood out, I can again only guess that maybe it doesn't like doubleclick or some fairly common ad cookie and decided to block access, but I really have no idea. What I do know is that was preventing routine browsing and email access without apparent reason.
There may be simple answers or solutions for this, but I need a firewall to sit there and be a firewall, and not bug me incessantly about every trivial thing. I don't want to turn down or off alerts because if there is a real problem, I want to know, that's why I use a fire wall! Spending hours on a forum just in case there is a fix isn't worth my time.
The software does not meet my needs... It got uninstalled! -
"Four years or more, not sure and no problems."
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
It works, it's easy to install and setup, the learning period is short and no sweat.
Cons
After looking the list of comments over i noticed a few about failing security tests. I've tested my install more then once, and it pasted each time.
Summary
If you have the time and knowledge to install and setup a better Firewall have at it, but for me this is the ONE.
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"Needed a firewall, for some older op sys."
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
Does the job.
Cons
Can't think of any, yet.
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"Crashes WinME"
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
Easy to install, relatively easy interface (relatively = You have to know what you are doing...)
Cons
Don't like because it hangs Windows ME wen shutting down
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"Excellent, perfect"
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
In comparison to mc afee of symantec this product is a blessing, easy to install and easily to configure not for a dummy but they should try the products which i mentioned they will have a fit.
Cons
none found
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"Best of Breed!"
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
I've tried many other firewalls , both free and paid, and this by far has been the most effective at blocking attempts to sneak stuff past the firewall! I like the real time monitor that allows you to see what's going in and out of your system.
Cons
What cons? I can't think of any.
Summary
I would recommend this program to anyone. I switched to another program for awhile and ended up with a computer so corrupted that I had to re-install the operating system again. I am now running this and some of the best and cheapest,(can you say freeware), anti-spyware and anti-virus programs from Cnet, and things are now running much better!
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"Always works for me"
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
Set it and forget it. Have tried others but none compare. Free sold me.
Cons
None that I have realized.
Summary
I have had this installed on this pc for over a year and have never had a problem. My other pc gets infected constantly and I have been having to remove it using Malewarebytes, but it is always a power struggle, so I'm going to install filseclab.
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"Uncomplicated, yet strong firewall"
Version: Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition 3.0.0.16
Pros
When you consider that 99% of all computers and their workings are made in China & the Asian countries,. it only makes sense that they would be the best people to make a great matching firewall. Filseclab is the "Great Firewall of China"l
Cons
I've been using it for a week or so and haven't found anything to dislike yet,.. maybe make the pop up windows slightly bigger so that visually challenged people like me can read it without spectacles.
Summary
This firewall installs easily with no problems. After the initial flurry of pop ups requesting permission for various programs to access the internet, it settles down and becomes quite unobtrusive. Filseclab will only snap into action when a new or unauthorised attempt to gain internet privileges comes knocking on the door (or should that be firewall ) The pop up clearly shows most of the information required, most importantly the name of the "intruder" so that I can make a quick and positive decision to grant or deny access. It uses very little of my PCs resources and causes no crashes or conflicts which is something I can't say about many of the other "Top Gun" firewalls on offer. I believe that this firewall will serve me well for many years to come.
Oh,.. and did I mention that it's free !.. that's right, zero bucks !
Updated on Feb 9, 2010
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