Outpost Firewall (FREE) - User Friendly?

I am in search of a new software firewall which is:

1. Able to stop OUT-bound data/traffic (i.e. does not "leak").

2. Relatively "user-friendly" (easily configurable ... as "download it and forget it" as is possible (this PC is mom's - she will not fair well [at all] after I leave in a few days, if she is having to try and figure-out pop-up/warning messages]. I personally found ZA Free and Online Armor Free user-friendly, but am hoping to find something smaller for this particular PC (XP/SP3, Avast Free AV). As strong as I am certain that Comodo Free is, I never seemed to be able to "tame" all the pop-up messages after approximately two-weeks [I think it was?] of trying. As well, Comodo is larger than I care to have on this PC of only 20GB hard-drive).

3. "Small" (takes-up as little space as possible).

I understand that Outpost is an "Open-Source" program. At first that spooked me a bit (not understanding much about open-source), but I can see where it could be extremely beneficial also.

Opinions?

Thanks,
g ...

 

Thank you very much for the reply and info!

I have looked at (used, for a short while, about six-nine months ago) PC Tools FW once before (I believe it had "Threat Fire" with it?) I had "some" difficulty running it on my Vista Home system (though it may have been the Threat Fire feature that gave me my problem, which if I recall correctly, was some sort of other "real Time" protection [Anti-Spy/Anti-Mal?] in addition to the FW).

The "Quiet mode" sounds interesting - not exactly sure what is meant by that (?), but would be interested to know more about it ...

Anyway, thank you again, and I will be researching PCTools more tomorrow (Monday).

Best,
g ...

 

You might want to look at Comodo Internet Security. It's a totally free antivirus + firewall, but you can choose to disable (not install) the antivirus if you're happy with your current AV program. Comodo's firewall is regularly one of the highest rated (if not the highest rated) firewall available, paid for or free. The new configuration with the antivirus seems to be very easy to use judging from the little experience I've had with the new program. I had used Comodo months ago, before they combined the AV and FW, and it was pretty great back then too. It's available right here at Major Geeks, just use this link. Another personal favorite is Online Armor, also free and available here at MG.

I also haven't used Outpost much, so I can't comment, but the limited exposure I've had to it showed it to be OK...

Firewall test results: http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php

 

Thanks dlb.

I decided last night to install (and am using - at least for now) Online Armor.

Though pretty confused at this point, that (confusion) is one of the reasons I decide to go with (back to) OA.

I looked "around" and "at" PCTools FW (thanks Kestrel13!), and actually used it for a short while on my Vista Home PC, but had an issue or two with it (not sure if it was because I was new to Vista at the time, whether it was the "Threat Fire" feature that was included [though that did seem pretty cool!], or if it was because I had overwhelmed myself, DESPERATELY trying to make a brand new PC (that came with McAfee "Suite", and which bogged the system) - secure (?). It was during this time that I also tried Comodo (Free), and I had issues (good Lord doesn't Mark Trent know that!).

Again, I wanted something small (this PC is only of 20gigs - HD) - and simple - but as effective as possible for this (XP/SP3) system, and OA "fits" (or will have to for now) the bill. This PC is my moms, and she is just not at all savvy in regards to technology (less so even than me - and that is the FIRST "clue" in my OP!).

I most likely will be in search of something other than OA Free for my Vista when I have time back at home, and I will certainly be giving Comodo another good look.

Thanks again!