A free alternative to ZoneAlarm

You should’ve already read my article on Basic Security for your PC where I recommended ZoneAlarm Free. But due to its incompatibility with Windows 7 when I tried a month back, I had to look for an alternative. The latest version (ZoneAlarm 9.1.007) released a few days back is compatible with Windows 7. After a few hunts on the internet, I landed on Comodo, which could be a perfect alternative to ZoneAlarm.

Comodo Internet Security

Comodo Internet Security is a free Firewall+Internet Security software from the house of Comodo. Comodo is well known for its SSL Certificates, Security, Privacy and Encryption products. You can find more about the company here. Comodo Internet Security is combination of Antivirus, Firewall and Defense+, similar to ZoneAlarm.

Comodo Firewall & Internet Security - Frontpage - Screenshot

Comodo Firewall - Frontpage

  • Antivirus – The proactive antivirus system that automatically detects and eliminates viruses, Worms and Trojan horses.
  • Firewall – The Firewall that constantly defends your system from inbound and outbound internet attacks with a industry strength packet filtering firewall.
  • Defense+ – A rules based intrusion prevention system that protects your critical operating system files from malicious processes, internal attacks and blocks unknown malware before it ever gets a chance to install.

If you have third-party Antivirus protection activated, you can choose not to install Comodo’s Antivirus, or, remove the former first before installing Comodo with Antivirus. Complementarily, Comodo gives you a free trial of its Live PC Support. Comodo, also allows you to choose its own DNS servers for fast & secure Internet browsing experience. Selecting this will change your Primary and Secondary DNS to 156.154.70.22 and 156.154.71.22.

Comdo Firewall & Internet Security - Internet Access - Popup

Comodo - Requesting Internet Access

The interface is also simpler to use. Comodo already has exceptions for commonly used Internet Applications like Web Browsers, Email Clients, etc., so you’ll have less popup asking you to permit internet access.

Download

Visit Comodo Firewall’s download page.
Supported OSes: Windows XP SP2, Vista and 7 (32-bit & 64-bit)

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