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Sygate Personal Firewall

CNET Editors' review

This easy-to-use firewall presents itself as a quality option for those seeking protection from the Net nasties. We like Sygate Personal Firewall's handy and clear interface, which lets you quickly disable the firewall and access dialog windows via the system-tray icon.

This application is a good bet for beginners because it's not necessary to configure any settings to get started. When the utility detects a program trying to connect to the Web for the first time, it asks you whether to allow or disallow access and remembers the setting. Advanced users can set permissions manually for any group of applications, such as a range of trusted IPs and protocols. Unfortunately, the current version isn't Vista compatible if you're looking for an alternative to the Windows Firewall.

The app didn't slow down our computer and less than 10 MB of RAM. Password protection guards against other users, such as children or employees, changing settings or turning off the firewall. Whether you're new to firewalls or have used them before, this free option should be on your shortlist.

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.8 stars

    out of 198 votes

    • 5 star: 108
    • 4 star: 33
    • 3 star: 6
    • 2 star: 14
    • 1 star: 37
  • Current version:

    4.0 stars

    out of 51 votes

    • 5 star: 24
    • 4 star: 14
    • 3 star: 5
    • 2 star: 3
    • 1 star: 5
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-10 of 50

  • 1.0 stars

    "Doesn't work"

    February 1, 2012  |   By AaronD12

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    None that I can think of.

    Cons

    If you are still running Windows XP, it might work for you.

    Reply to this review

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Reliable Firewall"

    December 11, 2011  |   By Sujo

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    I like that this firewall is so easy for beginners. Because of the way it works, it wasn't constantly asking me to allow or deny internet access to various programs and services. I also really liked that it isn't a resource hog, as I don't have much memory in the machine it's installed on, only 1G. Very easy to use, and I trust it because of its parent company, Norton. According to the knowledge I have of them, they're reliable.

    Cons

    Can't think of any.

    Summary

    An all round good firewall, and the sandbox feature gives peace of mind.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Best firewall I have tried."

    November 23, 2011  |   By Neil_Parks

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    Requires little or no configuration. Doesn't get in the way as some other firewalls do.

    Cons

    No longer being actively developed.

    Summary

    Sygate was bought out by Symantec several years ago. Symantec discontinued the product, which is too bad because it is still the best firewall software available.

    From time to time I have tried some of the newer ones out there, and I always end up disappointed. The tried-and-true Sygate Personal Firewall does not disappoint.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "I like it-you get to train it-then it's less verbose-"

    November 12, 2011  |   By eirehawk46

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    ----------

    Cons

    ------------

    Summary

    good product-with free and paid options

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  • 5.0 stars

    "I have previously made use of it and Like it.."

    June 25, 2011  |   By perpal

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    It is a very easy software to work with and an excellent product in all ways.

    Cons

    I have always been pleased with it.

    Summary

    None

    Updated on Jun 25, 2011

    I previously used this software and have always been well satisfied with it as my firewall.

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  • 3.0 stars

    "Good protection"

    February 19, 2011  |   By grant500

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    It certainly caught anything trying to access the net.

    Cons

    pop ups all the time. Like "winamp is trying to access the internet" Even after you click the "dont show this again" it still comes back. Annoying.

    Summary

    Overall good but takes over the computer a bit. I have gone back to windows firewall (xp) as it just does the job and you rarely see any issues.

    Reply to this review Read reply (1)

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  • 4.0 stars

    "The best so far!"

    November 3, 2010  |   By ih8bugz

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    I have tested 14 free firewall products and this is the best so far. Very easy to install and configure. User friendly interface with a lot of room for tweaking.

    Cons

    I haven't found any yet

    Summary

    How can you go wrong with a free firewall made by Norton? It works great, has a sandbox feature, and one right click on the tray icon gives you total control.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "release date 2004! - nothing more to say"

    October 3, 2010  |   By massivly_out_of_date

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    none nope nothing

    Cons

    - publisher does _not_ exist anymore (bought by another company)
    - no root download link (no official link)
    - no updates, no support
    -no NOTHING!!!

    Summary

    i don't know how people can use software, that are so out of date!!!
    nor how they don't try to get reliable information about software they are about to install!!!

    Reply to this review Read replies (3)

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Excellent product for any personal Desktop/Laptop"

    October 3, 2010  |   By arijitsarbagna

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    (1) Light weight
    (2) Simple UI - easy for any level of users
    (3) Very easy to operate/manage

    Cons

    (1) It still asks for the registration - which is perhaps no longer working (as parent compant has changed)
    (2) Under some specific circumstances I have seen this failing to load during startup (& even service fails to start). But this is very rare.

    Summary

    Overall an EXCELLENT, light-weight product to have in your system - particularly if you want to control what kind of traffic comes in or leaves your system.

    Updated on Jan 9, 2011

    One issue to be noted: Since the original s/w was released way back around 2004, it doesn't seem to work anymore with latest OS e.g. Win 7

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  • 5.0 stars

    "top firewall"

    July 5, 2010  |   By anirab2

    Version: Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808

    Pros

    top firewall eay to install and setup
    Has very intuitive interface and gives all the info as to which programs are requesting access to the internet although in a LAN you need to permit the NIC to enable high speed connections between computers

    Cons

    None that im aware of

    Summary

    In the many years ive been using this firewall Sygate personal firewall i have never had any issues that would make me remove this awesome software i use it in both LAN connected with internet and induvidually connected situations with no errors or troubles . this has given me the most secure connections ever, even when tested for leaks on GRC test page. I very highly recommend it .

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Results 1-10 of 50

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Sygate Personal Firewall