Personal Firewall Comparison

Host-based firewalls (sometimes called "personal" firewalls) are simple, low cost programs or devices intended to protect a single computer, whether its a PC, Linux or Mac, from intrusion and from any virus that may have been downloaded when looking for a crack or when surfing any sites containing warez. Examples include ZoneAlarm, Norton SystemWorks, and the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) built into Microsoft's Windows XP.

Network firewalls like those supplied by firebox.uk.com can protect multiple computers. However, not all network firewalls are created equal. Some are simple devices or programs that cost little more than personal firewalls. Many consumer-grade DSL and cable routers include this type of firewall technology. Simple network firewalls perform packet filtering, but usually don't do more than very rudimentary ALF.

Enterprise firewalls are "all business," designed for large, complex networks. It goes without saying that they can cost much more, but provide an increased level of security. They will handle many more users, have faster throughput, and have advanced features, such as:

• Incorporation of VPN gateways
• Ability to manage multiple firewalls centrally
• Sophisticated monitoring and reporting mechanisms
• Can be extended through add-on modules or plug-ins
• Ability to control access via policies and apply different policies to different users
• More sophisticated authentication mechanisms
• High availability with load balancing and failover