Entered CNET Catalog: 09/11/2002
SKU: MCF40E01RAA
Manufacturer: McAfee
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 09/12/2002
Fast installation
McAfee Firewall 4.0 installs in seconds. A new wizard helps set up the firewall on a home network, quickly detecting other computers that share connections. The program automatically creates rules so that popular programs, such as browsers and instant messengers, can access the Internet automatically; this way, you see fewer nagging alerts. McAfee Firewall will even build such rules for new programs that you install after it's already in place.
Features
Catching up with its competition, McAfee Firewall 4.0 has added several new tools. McAfee now traces hack attacks back to their origin, although it doesn't display them on a map like Norton's firewall does. It also includes an intrusion-detection system that not only automatically blocks port scanners--favorite tools of malicious users--but also, like Norton Personal Firewall, examines every inbound and outbound data packet.
Once McAfee Firewall examines these packets, it compares the transmission to a database of the behavior of known worms. McAfee refreshes this database when you do an Instant Update, McAfee's online update service. If the transmission looks suspicious, Firewall blocks that connection either indefinitely or for the period of time that you designate. The initial setting for that period, however, is 0 minutes, so if you're not paying attention, the intrusion detection is worthless.
Performance
But some of the problems we spotted last year still remain. The technique of rescanning the drive to detect new Internet-able applications requires you to click down several levels. And customizing the firewall-access rules for an individual application continues to be difficult. McAfee claims that it uses a wizard, but it's less that and more a series of dialog boxes written in geekspeak. ZoneAlarm and Norton Personal Firewall are written in plain English and are easier to customize.
Technical support
McAfee Firewall 4.0 provides excellent protection from Internet maladies. But if you're in the market for your first firewall product, you will be much happier with ZoneAlarm's overall ease of use.
Take me to CNET Labs' test results
When we ran our standard tests from the ShieldsUp site and the shareware Port Scanner program, McAfee Firewall passed without a problem, hiding, or stealthing, all 65,000 PC ports from malicious users.
McAfee's online support documents and FAQs include a too-meager collection of Firewall 4.0 FAQs and troubleshooting tips on McAfee's Web site. In fact, we couldn't locate anything about Firewall except instructions on how to uninstall it. The 24/7, real-time-chat support option, however, more than makes up for this omission. The tech rep we spoke to was knowledgeable and answered our questions quickly. (Note: www.mcafee-at-home.com, not www.mcafee.com, is the site that offers live technical support.) Phone support isn't free: it's $3 per minute or $39 per call. But unlike with Symantec, the lines are staffed seven days a week, from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. PT.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
User Rating: 
1/10
Customer support bad! hang up on me.
Pros: Can't help for simple questions
Cons: slow down my system!
User Rating: 
8/10
Only Firewall I use.
Pros: Highly configurable, reports all instrusions, works everytime. This firewall has the security in the class of most good commercial hardware firewalls. I'm a network & systems administrator and this firewall is as good as anything I use at work. I've
Cons: None, I'm a firm advocate!
User Rating: 
9/10
Excellent! No problems!
Pros: easy to install and use. catches most intrusions. found it to be easier to use than Norton.
Cons: still is not able to catch all. have gotten some exe. programs that got by them.
User Rating: 8/10
Secure, secure, secure!
Pros: McAfee's firwall solution is reliable. It does the job.
Cons: Does not have any built-in component for educating users on what specifically firewall technology does or how it works....but then do any of the competitors provide that facility?
User Rating: 8/10
Since I installed it, "no problemo"
Pros: I used it on a Windows 98 2ed Sprint DSL 2 years ago. It worked great in conjunction with Virusscan. I re-installed it for a dial-up through Earthlink using Windows XP Pro and IE6. It works great. I have been under constant attack since February 2003 by v
Cons: Hackerwatch.org - "Who in-the-hell are You?" what do you do? I report these attacks but nothing seems to change. Also, the hacker traces need to be in text format for attaching to emails to ISPs.
User Rating: 
5/10
Doesn't do Home Networking
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User Rating: 
3/10
more unstable even then windows
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User Rating: 
2/10
Never would activate or run
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User Rating: 
4/10
Poor user interface and packet parsing errors.
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User Rating: 3/10
Don't Use With Home Wireless Network
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User Rating: 
10/10
Rock solid firewall protection
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User Rating: 1/10
Cannot install after $69 support help.^(
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User Rating: 10/10
free with virusscan
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User Rating: 1/10
Crashed my Win2K machine
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User Rating: 10/10
much better
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User Rating: 10/10
Best firewall out there !!!
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User Rating: 
7/10
Best alternative firewall
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McAfee Firewall 4.0 specifications
