User Reviews
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 13 user ratings: 
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- Jun 01, 2009
- For version:
- 5.0.0.38
Locked up computer 
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 2
- Value: 2
- Overall:
I tried Firewall Plus, but had problems with computer lockups. I use the Opera browser with Windows XP SP3. Even though I assigned Opera full control in Firewall Plus, the program would hang with sites having Java/scripts elements in the web page. I would have to push the restart button on the tower. After playing with settings and hanging the computer 4 times, I gave up. I have used Comodo and ZA, but was looking for a firewall with smaller footprint. This isn't it for me.
Review by: whwmdw (5)
Read all 5 reviews by whwmdw
- Jan 04, 2009
- For version:
- NA
It's about time!
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
This is the only firewall I've found that handles programs *and* has flexible and easily customizable advanced rules. Another great thing about this firewall: It is just a FIREWALL!! No joined-at-the-hip anti-virus, anti-spyware, or HIPS-enabled flying horse ninjas. A firewall should do what a firewall is supposed to do--be a FIREWALL. Even better, if you don't know what you're doing (or just don't want the haggle of a thousand pop-up questions), it (by default) auto-allows known legitimate programs to send traffic along. Near-dummy proof.
Review by: ricojonah2
First post
- Dec 29, 2008
- For version:
- NA
Great free firewall
- Interface: 4
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Tried this several versions ago and was not impressed with lack of stability. Recently installed on Vista HP and am amazed at how good this firewall has become. It works well, is very light, offers great protection, and has very good HIPS functionality.
Review by: RandyN
First post
- Nov 23, 2008
- For version:
- 4.0.0.45
Finally a useful firewall
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
Wow, this program just blew me away. Tells me with a small unobtrusive popup when any program tries to access the internet, tells me the source of the program, and let me configure that access with custom options. Very powerful and easy to use. Did not ever look at the help file once. Fully automatic. Starts with everything blocked. Bit of a problem as it gets overwhelmed at first. I got around this by disabling it on start up initially, that way it gets a chance to load without ten million popups. It locked up my machine the first time before I did this. Other thing you can do s just keep hitting block when the window pops up, then after it has run through all programs, you can unblock what you want to have access to the net.
Review by: MacAttack
First post
- Jan 09, 2008
- For version:
- 3.0
Ignore the negative reviews
- Interface: 4
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
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.
Review by: nikon120
First post
- Oct 19, 2007
- For version:
- 3.0
Can't go wrong with this firewall
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
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.
Review by: drstix (2)
Read all 2 reviews by drstix
- Sep 25, 2007
- For version:
- 3.0
Very good in Vista
- Interface: 4
- Features: 4
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
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.
Review by: Abraxas (7)
Read all 7 reviews by Abraxas
- Jul 15, 2007
- For version:
- 2.0
Messed up my xp pro pc
- Interface: 1
- Features: 1
- Ease of use: 1
- Value: 1
- Overall:
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.
Review by: Duglacias (4)
Read all 4 reviews by Duglacias
- Apr 22, 2007
- For version:
- 2.0
Neat but flawed
- Interface: 3
- Features: 2
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 4
- Overall:
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.
Review by: Belatucadrus (14)
Read all 14 reviews by Belatucadrus
- Apr 15, 2007
- For version:
- 2.0
Great firewall
- Interface: 5
- Features: 5
- Ease of use: 5
- Value: 5
- Overall:
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.
Review by: iimu__ (4)
Read all 4 reviews by iimu__
- Mar 26, 2007
- For version:
- 2.0
Not as bad as described by other users
- Interface: 4
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 3
- Value: 5
- Overall:
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.
Review by: JohnnyNYC
First post
- Jan 27, 2007
- For version:
- 1.0.0.9
Bad protection!
- Interface: 2
- Features: 1
- Ease of use: 1
- Value: 1
- Overall:
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!
Review by: virgin (3)
Read all 3 reviews by virgin
- Jan 12, 2007
- For version:
- 1.0
Iffy firewall
- Interface: 3
- Features: 3
- Ease of use: 1
- Value: 2
- Overall:
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.
Review by: freewhere (3)
Read all 3 reviews by freewhere
