PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition User Reviews
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"firewall , antivirus, security online"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
very use to install, works high speed conection,many features,better then the old firewalls
Cons
Doesnt work if you are attacked by keyboard scramblers, loggers, well in my case at least it didn't
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"No bad for Free"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
It monitors Network Traffic
Cons
It asks about everything and slows down your computer
Summary
It does what it says on the box
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"Works Awesome"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
Works very well alongside Avast, Anti virus, has a pretty good memory capability, Easy to Use and not complicated for beginners.
Cons
No Cons, would like to see spyware protection and updates on it also once in a while.
Summary
I tried Filseclab,, Comodo, Online Armor, Outpost, Private Firewall, and this one is the easiest to configure, less pop ups, and very light footprint also a small download...What else could you want, and it's free...Works very wel alongside Avast with no issues and no exclusion list on niether...,
Update - The PC Tools firewall Plus version 7 is not a bad product. look at Matousec.com tests they have on firewalls Rates at 99% alongside PC Tools security. If you put it with Avast you have very good protection compared to PC Tools Anti Virus or Junk...My only distrust with this software is THE PC TOOLS COMPANY THEMSELF..They have a good product in the FIREWALL ONLY the rest of their products are JUNK,,,Their Support team is Un avvailable unless you have a Purchase ID to email them.Their Forum has so many people with problems and so many that can't get on the Forum.To Create an account to post a question you have to check your email to activate your account and you have to wait to be accepted..Been waiting for a week now to post a question on the Forum and still no reply,,,This company deffinately is the Pros at Self Destruction.At the Avast Forum you create an account activate it and you're on in 2 minutes You post a questions and you have an answer in 3 minutes...TRY IT!! ..
Updated on Apr 29, 2011 -
"It's total JUNK!!"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
It didnt work, so I didnt see any
Cons
It didn't work!
it wouldnt initiate correctly
a scan from Gibson Research's security website penetrated the firewallSummary
Don't bother with this product
Im glad I didnt have bigger problems like some other reviews I read...
It hung when installing but not for long -
"Windows 7 users should avoid!"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
It was easy to install and setting it up was fairly straight forward as well. I was able to keep track of all my computer's internet traffic and see what each running program was doing, resources being used etc. Pop-ups weren't too too bad.
Cons
Sadly, after it was set up and running I was UNABLE to install anything! I kept getting 'File System Error' messages, this was even happening in safe mode with the program turned off. I had to force reboot and uninstall through CNTRL Panel.
Summary
It was a nightmare once installed! Even to temporarily shut it down, meant a 30 minute hang, which resulted in a forced reboot. All my .exe installers became unusable, I couldn't even open installers off of a CD ROM (cyberlink installer cd). Bottom line...it's nice to look at and seems small enough, with big promises...but for my windows 7 PC (32bit - fresh install), it was nothing but a headache. If you must use this product...make sure to learn how to use it properly, if you have the time. Otherwise, if your looking for an install-it, set-it and forget-it - keep looking.
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"Great firewall and easy on system resources."
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
Easy to set up and configure; does not slow system down like most others do; compatible w/ windows 7 64 bit ( unlike many others). Suitable for both novice and advanced users. Easy to manage.
Cons
It's initial learning curve can be a little wearisome, but gets easier as time goes on. And, obviously, it may not be as effective in some systems as in others.
Summary
I really like this firewall . I'd tried the Comodo and didn't like it; I don't want to spend a lot of time managing my firewall, so an auto-learning type like this one is ideal for me. Eventually I may get into the advanced features, but for now I'll just let it ask me what to let in or not. You just have to be careful what you tell it to let in. Installation was a breeze, and I've had no problems with it, even when MSM turned it off to apply more patches to the Windows firewall, the PC Tools turned itself back on & Windows off after the updates. Very nifty. All in all , a very nice firewall and a welcome addition to my arsenal of security tools. As to whether it's better than the Windows 7 firewall I really can't say, but it does make me fell better protected , and that's what it's all about. Check it out for yourself .
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"better than most with one exception"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
gives control to the user/administrator
Cons
a little complex, for example in removing a previous 'allow' rule.
Summary
I have tried a few FW's though a little convaluted, muich better than the windows one (dur) and most others
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"Support.......Not so much."
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
I figured adding the "FREE" Firewall would be a BREEZE! no such luck..I would have to pay a $49.50 upgrade fee to get what I have and add the "free" Firewall...so much for Customer Service! See my open ticket below
Cons
Dear Customer,
This email is to confirm that we have received that email and have created a ticket (11-041-01140) for you.
We will endeavor to answer it within 24 hours, at which time you will receive the answer to your question in an email from us.Summary
Disappointed!
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"Like it, but it crashed my XP PC."
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
Good compromise between effectiveness and resource use.
Cons
Severely locked up my system. Popups got annoying.
Summary
I briefly tried 3 free firewalls on WinXP: ZoneAlarm, PCTool, & Ashampoo. I didn't like any of them. Summary: I thought PCTools was the best compromise between form & function, but the popup boxes got annoying & confusing, then it totally froze my PC after 3 days (it took many reboots, an uninstall and cleanup to fix). ZoneAlarm seemed the most competent, but it was heaviest on system resources. Ashampoo was the lightest on the system, but lowest on security according to other reviews, plus they started spamming me every 2 days.
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"Not bad but can kill internet on wake/startup"
Version: PC Tools Firewall Plus Free Edition 6.0.0.74
Pros
Good all in package
Cons
Sometimes drops internet connection on boot/wake up
Needs a way to remove old applicationsSummary
Everything works well. Installed it on my new lappie (W7x64) and it developed internet connection issues - wirless and plugged, particularly on boot and wakeup - never had this before installed PC Tools. Disabled PCTools in msconfig, rebooted/woke up a few times, confirmed the problem went away.
Found that if I exited the PC Tools firewall (right click task bar icon), dis-then-reconnected the internet connection (in windows), then restarted PC Tools firewall (start menu) it would be fine.
Might benefit from a delayed start, (perhaps it's trying to start simultaneous with network driver causing probs?) but not sure how to do that for the (registry) autorun command.
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