The Security Center

Assess your firewall setup

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If you are using Windows XP SP2 (XP Service Pack 2) or later, you already have a software firewall that is part of Windows itself. However, Macintosh® users or anyone with a version of Windows earlier than Windows XP SP2 won't have a software firewall installed with their operating system and should get a software firewall. In addition to using firewalls, consider disconnecting when you are away from your computer.

Not sure if your firewall is configured correctly? Here are some tests you can run to help verify that everything is okay.

• Symantec Security Check (security.symantec.com)
• HackerGuardian (hackerguardian.com)
• AuditMyPC (auditmypc.com)

While we do not recommend, endorse, or warrant the performance of any particular firewall product(s), the companies listed below provide popular firewalls.

Firewall software

• Trend Micro™ Internet Security
• McAfee® Virusscan Plus, McAfee® Total Protection, McAfee® Internet Security Suite
• Symantec Norton Internet Security, or Symantec Norton Personal Firewall
• ZoneAlarm Pro, or ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite

Free Products:

• Comodo Firewall 
• ZoneAlarm 

Firewall hardware or routers

• Linksys®
• D-Link®
• Netgear®