Outpost Firewall Pro 2009

Outpost Firewall Pro 2009 scored an astonishing 99 per cent in Matousec’s independent test, making it the most secure firewall of the four reviewed here. Often, more secure applications are very intrusive and hard to use, but Outpost has a good background in usability, and the latest version doesn’t disappoint. It runs minimised in the System Tray, only interrupting you for significant decisions. Upon installation the program offers to configure itself to permit access for the most common internet programs. This prevents the usual flurry of notices you tend to get when running a new firewall for the first time. There’s also a useful feature for gamers that lets you turn down the firewall’s more interruptive elements while you’re playing.

Although using this software will force you to dip into your pocket, we think the best security is worth paying for, especially when it’s still good value and you’re getting the benefits of ease of use and extra features.

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