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User Reviews

PC Tools Firewall Plus
PC Tools Firewall Plus

PC Tools Firewall Plus is a personal firewall that monitors incoming and outgoing traffic on your computer and allows to to create rules to limit and control network connections. The program include ...

Average of 9 user ratings: 3


  • Jan 09, 2008
  • For version:
  • 3.0

quote  Ignore the negative reviews  quote

  • Interface: 4
  • Features: 4
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

This firewall is spot on. I picked this up when ZoneAlarm became even more of a hassle than it already was. Test it yourself with "Shields Up." Works flawlessly with XP Pro, SP2. If you have Vista, you should complain about the poor coding of the OS rather than functional and helpful applications such as this.

user Review by: nikon120
First post


  • Oct 19, 2007
  • For version:
  • 3.0

quote  Can't go wrong with this firewall  quote

  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

Like I said, can't go wrong. If you're not that experienced, keep to the basic set up. This FW hasn't let anything past to get on my machine. PC Tools has got it right.

user Review by: drstix (2)
Read all 2 reviews by drstix


  • Sep 25, 2007
  • For version:
  • 3.0

quote  Very good in Vista  quote

  • Interface: 4
  • Features: 4
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

I've used version 2 of this app for about 6 months. It got better with time, but version 3 is a major improvement. Many bottlenecks have been removed and the interface is easy to use and understand. There are 2 modes, basic and advanced, so you can have your desired level of control. Like most good firewalls, it also blocks code injection and memory changes that are not approved. Altogether a very good firewall, not too complicated but with all the needed options, and it is comparable to commercial firewalls. Since it is free, it is a real gem. You shouldn't run 2 firewalls. Be sure to disable XP's or Vista's or you will have problems.

user Review by: Abraxas (7)
Read all 7 reviews by Abraxas


  • Jul 15, 2007
  • For version:
  • 2.0

quote  Messed up my xp pro pc  quote

  • Interface: 1
  • Features: 1
  • Ease of use: 1
  • Value: 1
  • Overall: 1

I use pc tools spyware doctor and registry mechanic and am very satisfied with their performance. But this little gem needs to go back to the drawing board. it caused all kinds of problems for me, after several reboots and registry restorations i seem to back on track...beware.

user Review by: Duglacias (4)
Read all 4 reviews by Duglacias


  • Apr 22, 2007
  • For version:
  • 2.0

quote  Neat but flawed  quote

  • Interface: 3
  • Features: 2
  • Ease of use: 3
  • Value: 4
  • Overall: 3

Quite a compact firewall and fairly easy to use despite the lack of documentation, where it came unstuck for me was a strange refusal to remember my avast! antivirus. Despite selecting remember this action, every time avast! checked for an update the firewall would kick in and ask if it should permit or not, this was the only application it had any trouble with, but it just got tiresome so I deleted it.

user Review by: Belatucadrus (13)
Read all 13 reviews by Belatucadrus


  • Apr 15, 2007
  • For version:
  • 2.0

quote  Great firewall  quote

  • Interface: 5
  • Features: 5
  • Ease of use: 5
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 5

I just installed latest version in my Vista machine. I must say this is great product. It is very easy to use. You have only give permissions when applications ask them for internet access. Highly recommended.

user Review by: iimu__ (4)
Read all 4 reviews by iimu__


  • Mar 26, 2007
  • For version:
  • 2.0

quote  Not as bad as described by other users  quote

  • Interface: 4
  • Features: 3
  • Ease of use: 3
  • Value: 5
  • Overall: 4

I just got a "Windows Vista" PC and not too many programs are ready for that system yet. I normally use AOL Security Center but they are not ready for Vista yet so I installed this Fire Wall and it seems to be working fine. I wish it had more features and an easier "Help" section but it does provide protection. I will be going back to AOL as soon as they come out with a Vista compatible version of security.

user Review by: JohnnyNYC
First post


  • Jan 27, 2007
  • For version:
  • 1.0.0.9

quote  Bad protection!  quote

  • Interface: 2
  • Features: 1
  • Ease of use: 1
  • Value: 1
  • Overall: 1

Must be the worst firewall I have tried, many things managed to get past it. So in reality do not bother with it, I for one have certainly scrapped the darn thing!

user Review by: virgin (3)
Read all 3 reviews by virgin


  • Jan 12, 2007
  • For version:
  • 1.0

quote  Iffy firewall  quote

  • Interface: 3
  • Features: 3
  • Ease of use: 1
  • Value: 2
  • Overall: 2

Snapfiles nailed it about the lack of documentation. Personally I see it as a 'not ready' for use by most users just yet. But perhaps future versions will be better and a bit more stable.

user Review by: freewhere (3)
Read all 3 reviews by freewhere