Softperfect is an excellent packet filter. It doesn't offer the protection that an application-level firewall can provide, but conversely it uses very little resources and CPU time. (On average, I found that it used only 4-5 MB of memory and about an equal or slightly higher amount of virtual memory.) It's extremely easy to use. When you set it up, you specify which types of presets you use and allow (email, p2p, IM, FTP, etc.), and these can be changed easily later on as well. I believe that more advanced rules can be set, but I never tried this. As stated though, there is no application-level firewall, so outbound packets aren't monitored if they use a standard port. But as an easy-to-configure packet filter, I recommend it.
Price: Free
review details
- Interface
![5 stars](/images/userrating5.png)
- Features
![3 stars](/images/userrating3.png)
- Ease of use
![5 stars](/images/userrating5.png)
- Value
![4 stars](/images/userrating4.png)
- Recommend to a friend? Yes
- Posted Jul 16, 2007 for v1.4.1