McAfee Firewall 3.0

We tested McAfee Firewall in two configurations. The first consisted of a single Windows 98 SE computer connected directly to a cable modem. For the other, we installed McAfee Firewall on a Windows Me PC that served as an Internet-sharing gateway for a network of five computers, enabling them to access the Internet via a single cable modem connection.

The former installation went well. McAfee Firewall 3.0 installed uneventfully, detected the Internet connection, and prompted us to configure it to allow filtered Internet access to various programs. The latter, a more sophisticated setting, utterly baffled McAfee Firewall. It generated errors immediately when first activated and permanently blocked Internet access for the entire network.

Network Associates' technical support line urged us to visit a free Web site. Since our Internet connection was broken, we checked out the phone support options. They were available--via a 900 number with a $2.95 per minute charge. We can understand the need for Network Associates (and, in all fairness, its competitors) to charge for support time, but in a case where the Web site is inaccessible due to a company's own product, the company should provide an alternative.

We used our press credentials to get some answers, and Network Associates assured us that the errors we encountered were very rare. However, the representative couldn't appease our concerns with the tech support catch-22, nor could she assure us of a timely solution to another problem: parts of both the online and physical documentation were bewilderingly cobbled from earlier versions of McAfee Firewall, which had a different interface from Firewall 3.0. The docs refer to menus and dialogs that don't exist in this version, making them effectively useless. That's unforgivable in the case of such a complex, dynamically configurable product.

When it works, McAfee Firewall 3.0 is a secure shield between your PC and the Net at large. It passed the most stringent security tests at Steve Gibson's Web site (www.grc.com) without a hiccup. Getting to that point wasn't worth the hassle, though; until Network Associates irons out the kinks, we strongly suggest using a superior, proven firewall such as Norton Firewall or Zone Labs ZoneAlarm. --Joel Durham, Jr.

Amazon.com Product Description
McAfee Firewall prevents hackers from stealing private information, blocks Trojan horses from taking control of your PC, and denies access to any number of dangerous intruders. McAfee Firewall makes it easy to put a protective barrier around your PC. It includes a sophisticated intrusion detection system, which provides effective detection and blocking of common security threats. With this system, you can set up a firewall to activate audible alerts that notify you in real time as threats arise. It also features color-coded security alerts, detailed logging, and application-scan for Internet-capable applications with learning mode.

McAfee Firewall gives you all the power you need to control the communications into and out of your PC, ensuring that online experiences will be as safe as they are enjoyable. McAfee Firewall secures your PC's connection to the Internet whether it's via DSL, cable modem, or dialup. It runs transparently in the background, preventing hackers and other prying eyes from accessing your PC and damaging or stealing files.