If your operating system is Windows, then the default Windows Firewall is already activate. Here's an easy way to check whether it is enabled or not go to 'Start I Run' and input 'Firewall.cpl' in the Open field. If the 'On' option is selected in the 'General' tab then you are safe. Of course, having the firewall activated may not be a good thing, especially in view of the results of the security tests that it failed. The firewall didn't make it past the first level of the test process, and its loss margin was pretty narrow. Out of a minimum of 50 percent required to pass level one, it scored a measly 33 percent.

There are nine tests that the firewall under test has to pass before it gets to level two. Windows Firewall passed only three of the above listed nine tests-Coat checks whether the firewall identifies the trusted processes properly, Leaktest and Yalta find out whether the firewall filters outbound TCP and UDP traffic. This means that it is vulnerable to the rest of the methods as well as all that entails the tests conducted in levels two to ten.

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VERDICT

Install Comodo Personal Firewall Pro from the CHIP DVD and deactivate the Windows Firewall. It is probably doing more harm than good.

FOR

Provides protection from DoS attacks.

AGAINST

Vulnerable to a lot of exploits.