Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

wat0114 reviewed v2.1.0.6 on Nov 3, 2009

Now have this latest version installed in a XP SP3 vm, as well as Vista SP2 real system and it's running like a charm in both cases :thumb: Finally the issues I'd had with ARP SPI filtering and vm installation are resolved.

..::][Ben][::.. reviewed v2.1.0.6 on Oct 21, 2009

Great firewall but if you dont know anything about networking you should not comment about this one, its nothing for noobs!

Bart Welson reviewed v2.1.0.6 on Oct 21, 2009

I tried this firewall, but I also count find my application rules anywhere,
perhaps they were scattered around the different places in the config ?

ghammer reviewed v2.1.0.6 on Oct 21, 2009

Seems to be a number of incompetent posters on this app.
It works well and is very configurable.

If you don't know much about your computer, stick to McAfee.

YoungOldies reviewed v2.1.0.6 on Oct 21, 2009

For a paid firewall, this one is extremely crap.
Rules, and especially finding them is close to impossible.

God, I miss the good old Kerio 2.1.5

wat0114 reviewed v2.1.0.2 Beta on Mar 24, 2009

JCookes, either you didn't try it or you didn't figure out how to use it.

Jetico 2 is still a solid packet/application filtering firewall with advanced process controll capabilities. It's also very light on resources. One problem I've had is with the addition of ARP stateful packet filtering in that if enabled, my Internet access gets blocked. It could also use a few improvements, notably the option to sort all columns would be a bonus, otherwise it's one of the more advanced software firewalls available in its price range.

JCookes reviewed v2.1.0.1 Beta on Jan 30, 2009

A paying firewall that cannot even restrict ports or destination addresses ?

LOL !!!

It can do no better than BLOCK ALL or ALLOW ALL.

Well, even Microsoft's firewall can do better than that !

dhry reviewed v2.0.2.7 on Oct 4, 2008

Same reason they call it "personal lubricant" but you're not allowed to shoplift it, I guess?

1 star for not being free and being a whole lot crappier than Comodo.

catchpole reviewed v2.0.2.7 on Oct 4, 2008

why they call it "Personal Firewall" if you have to pay for it?

Monyet reviewed v2.0.1.4 on Feb 1, 2008

Best Firewall I've ever seen! Highly recommended.

GoodMorningWorld reviewed v2.0.0.35 on Sep 21, 2007

If you can grab the standalone TINY PERSONAL FIREWALL DESKTOP PRO 6.5.126 get it.

Features:

Firewall
HIPS
Integrity Guard
Sandbox
Windows Security

wat0114 reviewed v2.0.0.34 on Aug 31, 2007

It is sad when people rate a product so poorly because they have to pay for it or because they didn't trial it first before purchasing it.

This is a fantastic firewall. It is light on resources, does not slow browsing speed and it is far easier to configure than before, though it is clearly not for the faint-of-heart. Its Process Attack filter adds another layer of system protection in addition to its firewall component.

Ragle Gumm reviewed v2.0.0.33 on Aug 5, 2007

Those who give this firewall a bad review don´t even know what they are talking about. It´s not easy to configurate but gives excellent protection. Comodo is great and free but they don´t offer a VISTA firewall yet. Protection can´t wait and so I bought Jetico. It works like a charm ...

burned reviewed v2.0.0.33 on Jul 27, 2007

Purchased the product online and changed my mind within 24 hrs about using it. Requested a refund twice from Jetico via email and their web site and did not receive a response either time.

It could be argued that this review is not about the buttons and dialogs but this is about something more important: The company behind the software.

Fool me once, shame on you. There will not be a fool me twice.

hotwater reviewed v2.0.0.33 on Jun 1, 2007

Typical software that leverages the user community when they were still young.

Once they get the bugs ironed out, pay the $$$, kids.

It's not a problem to ask people to pay, the problem is, they are not making this clear to users.

..::][Ben][::.. reviewed v2.0.0.33 on Jun 1, 2007

Atm the best firewall, comodo is NOT better in my opinion, its just easier to understand.

vcorvinus reviewed v2.0.0.33 on Jun 1, 2007

Version 1 is still free but does not support Vista. Version 2 is not free. Comodo is better and all versions are free.

sjc001 reviewed v2.0.0.33 on May 31, 2007

Once freeware always freeware.

landfish reviewed v2.0.0.33 on May 31, 2007

Comodo's Firewall Pro Ranks Number 1 in Matousec Leaktest of Top 11 Firewalls
http://www.matousec.com/.../leak-tests-results.php

admittedly Jetico came second, but Comodo advertisers it's firewall as free and indeed is, Jetico for some reason still insists on being dishonest about this, why, who knows.

LordLOC reviewed v2.0.0.32 on May 27, 2007

First of all, just because the newer release is now shareware - doesn't make the firewall garbage. In fact, Jetico is always ranked in the top 1 or 2 spots right alongside Comodo, so all this talk about Jetico being "junk" is junk.

Second, Jetico comes with a far better set of default rules than Comodo and other firewalls, so its all really a matter of perspective.

I don't see any point in bashing a program because it went from free to shareware. $29.95 or whatever they are charging for it is hardly alot of money, especially considering how important security is these days. If people are happy with Jetico over say Comodo or Look 'n' Stop or some other firewall, let them be happy with it.

doctorsmith reviewed v2.0.0.31 on May 22, 2007

why do they insist on continuing calling this junk freeware.

vcorvinus reviewed v2.0.0.31 on May 22, 2007

Version 1 was freeware and is still available as a download from their site but version 2 is not free. Comodo is much better and free.

betasun reviewed v2.0.0.31 on May 22, 2007

yes,its "annoying-ware" .

M^3 reviewed v2.0.0.30 on Apr 30, 2007

Jetico's updated order page
JPF Price in $ or €
1 license 39.95
2 licenses 76.00
5 licenses 180.00
10 licenses 340.00
25 licenses 800.00
50 licenses 1500.00
100 licenses 2700.00

ahjefri reviewed v2.0.0.30 on Apr 24, 2007

This the first I ever had bad experience with Software,,
I have installed it at work and nothing worked for me, not only that, even after I uninstalled it nothing worked.
I have looked around I found Dns client is stopped and I could not run start it again, IPSEC driver which is need by TCP/Netbois is gone and all needed service to run depending on could not run,, so what I did ,,,,,, Sadly I have installed windows again becuase I do not have time to look for fix,,

I will rate it 1 not for this bad experience only but because I used to have version 1 running smoothly with no problem at all, I expected more from this version.

If you are at home try it, becuase it is the best personaly fire wall to me. Offcourse I am reffering to version 1 though it needs a little of experience of what exactly you are doing but it's very powerfull..

tannenwheel reviewed v2.0.0.30 on Apr 23, 2007

i decided that version one was the best (slickest most stable and realiable and convenient to maintain) firewall i could find. beating kerio, outpost, looknstop, others ...

will not try version two until they make the price clear. (i tested a beta though, and liked it much).

its called "evaluation". so it must be shareware not freeware. I dont want to "evaluate". either i buy it or i go on living without a firewall (except win XP's ). which is much fun, by the way. so what does it cost? can i afford it?

it is currently not listed here:
http://www.jetico.com/order.htm

---
there is something odd about the GUI. you could also call that inventive. give it a chance and try to understand the rulesets.
you will love it, cause it is so flexible.
you will forgive superficial shortcommings because of that flexibility.
example: if you dislike the amount of questions it asks you can reconfigure it, so it will act simple just as windows built in firewall. not an option for novices, okay, but an option.

TheDevilHimself reviewed v2.0.0.29 Beta on Apr 14, 2007

Is there anything called "Anoyingware" then jetico should be there, because it really sucks, I have tried for 5 minutes and uninstalled it as fast as I could. And Under the rating there should be a big Zero because jetico is way under rating 1

seelengarten reviewed v2.0.0.28 Beta on Apr 10, 2007

Version 2.X ist not FREEWARE anymore!!!!!

..::][Ben][::.. reviewed v2.0.0.28 Beta on Apr 10, 2007

The rating is way lower then it should be, because of many noobs who dont know what they are doing, go and try ZA or Norton crap...

This Firewall is awesome, i love it.

betasun reviewed v2.0.0.28 Beta on Apr 10, 2007

"Manual setup Firewall" doesnot work for me .it could be easier to set-up ...ok manual but easier.its time consuming ,the same as if resource hug .

madcats reviewed v2.0.0.28 Beta on Apr 9, 2007

This is not a review but there haven't been many at BetaNews on Jetico FW since: httpd.confused wrote Jan'05 BUT freewarefiles.com & download.com have some more detailed reviews:

http://www.download.com/...0-10435_4-10634841.html

"Quote" 06-Apr-2007 10:43:49 AM: marksgershenson
Pros: "Jetico Firewall does exactly what it is suppose to do once all the settings are properly in place. This is a manual set-up firewall."

Cons: "This firewall is not for a novice. Does not have the fancy wizards to step you through to make an easy set-up. You must have intermediate or expert level of experience to handle the questions and proper responses to make your firewall work."

So don't install Jetico till you're sure about it or that its out of Beta.?'s about stability issues

Sully9663 reviewed v2.0.0.27 Beta on Apr 3, 2007

Shows a lot of Promise.

Blue Joker reviewed v2.0.0.27 Beta on Apr 2, 2007

Trying this so said firewall
you begin feeling that the coder of it is swimming in a glass water ...
After years now I tell you :
He likes that swimming off in the circle.

landfish reviewed v2.0.0.26 Beta on Mar 6, 2007

Remember the old B.S.O.D ........... NO!
well install this junk and you will.

ailef reviewed v2.0.0.24 Beta on Feb 22, 2007

can u add the option "handle as...Application trusted zone,etc" like in jetico 1.0?

pjb reviewed v2.0.0.24 Beta on Feb 22, 2007

What a shame 'doctorsmith' does not know how to review software. If some of the previous reviews had been read by doctorsmith he/she would not have wasted their time..

A good piece of software that does the job, and scores well in anti-leak tests. It's also nice to see Vista supported.

doctorsmith reviewed v2.0.0.24 Beta on Feb 22, 2007

this isn't freeware, so only 1 star for waisting my time on the download, uninstalling my other firewall, installing this uninstalling this and reinstalling previous firewall.

@ pjb , I suspect like most people I read what BN says about a piece of software and in this case it clearly says "freeware", a mistake on their part and clearly on mine for not second guessing the mistake.

..::][Ben][::.. reviewed v2.0.0.23 Beta on Feb 4, 2007

Fantastic firewall!!!

Keep up the excellent work

DarkSaga reviewed v2.0.0.17 Beta on Nov 19, 2006

The firewall seems to be good and highly configurable, but starting from v2 it is no more freeware...

Aires reviewed v2.0.0.17 Beta on Nov 10, 2006

@ DeathAxe:

You are rating this a 1 even though you dunno about it and you don't like the look of it?? What an idiot you are.

This is a good firewall and while there are good free ones not all free ones are good free ones. Cost shouldn't enter into it when you're talking about an AV of firewall.

God what an idiot.

phiber0ptik reviewed v2.0.0.6 Beta on Aug 16, 2006

to iwashere: iptables should not replace a personal software-based firewall :p easy-peasy to make a keylogger mail all the keystrokes on a victim behind a linux-router :)

sQin reviewed v2.0.0.6 Beta on Aug 16, 2006

if anyone has problems, first uninstall the old one and restart pc before installing different firewall.

Zankur reviewed v2.0.0.6 Beta on Aug 16, 2006

Jetico is a very good firewall,in case users are experiencing problems with the beta,kindly visit:http://wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=141626
its the thread where you will find all problems solved..

Laborant reviewed v2.0.0.5 Beta on Aug 7, 2006

Service can't start! It's not working. Waiting for new version.

ailef reviewed v2.0.0.5 Beta on Aug 2, 2006

had troubles with the install.
the service didnt start then its was impossible to uninstall.

iwashere reviewed v2.0.0.5 Beta on Aug 2, 2006

I totally agree with the last post. jetico is a great personal firewall for the advanced users. sure, a pfw can not replace a *nix router with iptables (the successor of ipchains).
anyways. v1 for me until there's a version with less bugs.

arg0 reviewed v2.0.0.5 Beta on Aug 2, 2006

I used JPF since the first public beta and I'm very happy with it. It's not for the beginner, but there are plenty of more intuitive personal firewalls (zone alarm etc.). The advantage of JPF is that it offers the same flexibility of ipchains, used in unix firewalls. The latest beta is buggy but the support team reacts quickly and well.
However, I'll stick to version 1.0.1.61 for production.
Also, I fear that v.2.0 will be shareware.

sQin reviewed v2.0.0.5 Beta on Aug 1, 2006

it's beta! and may be buggy, thats why it's licence limited

Jonasson reviewed v2.0.0.5 Beta on Aug 1, 2006

This is not freeware! During the installation it says it's a 2 months trial, after that - buy a license or configuration changes won't be saved. I didn't continue the install...

SirDarius reviewed v1.0.1.61 on May 20, 2006

I've just had a very painful experience with that firewall.

I installed it, and when I rebooted and connected to the internet, it kept on asking me about programs accessing the Internet. That's ok for me, that's the classic Firewall learning mode.
But, the popup window proposed options that were kind of hard to understand intuitively, and i did some wrong choices.
So, I then tried to modify the options directly in the GUI, but it crashed, and the firewall service crashed too...
Then it wouldn't even want to uninstall until i rebooted again...

Too bad, it really looks promising and powerful...

varsity reviewed v1.0.1.61 on Mar 11, 2006

I give it a 4 only because it is so painstakingly tedious to configure rules. Not for newbies or the faint-of-heart, and decent networking knowledge a definite asset! However, it does a terrfic job of filtering if it's set up correctly. Kind of reminds me in some ways of Tiny PFW: robust protection but an interface that can get your head spinning.

Overall, I'm very intrigued with this firewall and will spend more time trialing it. BTW, the review by httpd is excellent, summing up this firewall very well. Too bad he doesn't post anymore.

I almost forgot, it comes out tops on the latest leak tests: http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.php

nelsonhf reviewed v1.0.1.61 on Feb 18, 2006

Very good product!
If you want a good firewall with extremally configurable rule and application based filtering, no resource hogs and have some TCP/IP knowledgment, go for it. You won't be dissapointed.
Otherwise it's best to stay with Sygate or ZoneAlarm.

ArabianNight reviewed v1.0.1.61 on Jul 19, 2005

Definitely not for newbies.

yokozuna reviewed v1.0.1.61 on Jul 19, 2005

I fully agree with httpd.confused and slickandy. As a firewall it is good in that sense that it filters what should be filtered. No lockups, no slowdowns, nothing like that. The problem is that the configuration of the program is REALLY frustrating (IMO Kerio PF 2.1.5 is the easiest and most intuitive in administration).

I will be generous. My rating 4/5.

slickandy reviewed v1.0.1.60 on Jul 10, 2005

If you want something easy to configure, go elsewhere (ie ZoneAlarm or Lock n Stop).

However, if you want something with extremely configurable rules, this is well worth a look.

I'd give it a 5, but it's not as polished as Kerio 2.1.5 or Outpost.

One to watch, I think!

betasun reviewed v1.0.1.53 on Feb 9, 2005

httpd.confused :please write a short story about
Sygate or Outpost ,i will be very happy to read .
im going to drink a glass of wine :)

ailef reviewed v1.0.1.52 on Feb 3, 2005

BSOD bcftdi.sys

xp pro sp2

httpd.confused reviewed v1.0.1.52 on Feb 1, 2005

I appreciate the new "Auto Best fit" option. The tray icon issue is not fixed, however. In fact, with 1.0.1.52, sometimes the icon doesn't show at all on my system.

Edit: It seems that Jetico updated version 1.0.1.52, to fix the tray icon issue, without updating the version. Redownloading the new 1.0.1.52 and reinstalling seems to be necessary.

httpd.confused reviewed v1.0.1.48 on Jan 21, 2005

[Warning: You might want to grab some coffee before embarking on this novel, errr, review.]

It's not that I don't want to configure my firewall (far from it!), it's how much unnecessary work I want to be required to devote to it.

I'll give you an example: When most decent application-level personal firewalls detect that an allowed application has changed, they put up an alert saying exactly that--'the program has changed; do you want to allow the changed version to connect out?'. And if you allow it, the firewall simply updates the existing rule, and you get on with your life.

But Jetico Personal Firewall doesn't do that. Instead, when a changed application tries to connect out, it prompts you in exactly the same manner as it did the first time it saw the application. This means you'll get two prompts for changed applications, and not just for new applications. And that means you'll have two new rules added in (one for "network access", and one for the actual outbound connection). The two old rules? They just sit there, useless, adding clutter.

And what if you don't want to use the "Trusted Zone" for the changed application you just had to add new rules for? What if you had very specific parameters spelled out in the old rules, including protocol(s), IP addresse(s), traffic direction(s), and so on?

You reconfigure it. All of it. For every changed application this applies to. Every time it changes. (Or, you can use the unintuitive trick where you edit an existing rule, put the cursor on the line that lists the path to the (old) EXE file, and then click OK. This forces the hash to be updated. Yes, you really do need to put the cursor in the path text box. And you'll then have to delete the new rule(s).)

Is my point becoming clear yet?

And my previous comments regarding the interface still hold water:

* JPF still can't accept host names, only IP addresses.

* While JPF allows you to use network masks, you can't even specify a simple IP range--you will need a separate rule for each IP address.

* You can't create one simple application rule for inbound/outbound UDP communication--instead, you need to either create an anything-goes rule, or create two UDP rules, one with the "send datagrams" event, and the other with the "receive datagrams" event.

* JPF still requires you to deal with the worst-designed rules dialog ever seen in a firewall. Count the number of clicks you devote to a complex rule some time.

- Notice how it sometimes inexplicably takes two clicks to activate the OK button and drop-down lists.

- Notice how you can't click anywhere on a drop-down control to activate it; rather, you need to click the tiny down arrow on its right side.

- Notice how the rules dialogs don't remember their screen position.

- Notice how if you highlight an IP address, then hit the Delete key, then Alt+Tab to another application (for example, to find out what the correct IP address is, since JPF doesn't take host names!), the IP address magically reappears.

* The "View > Best Fit" feature seems cool. Until, that is, you find yourself doing it every 3.5 seconds, because it isn't done automatically.

* Notice how when you drag-and-drop a rule, the window doesn't automatically scroll for you. No, you have to drag-drop-scroll-drag-drop instead.

* There is no way to add a rule for traffic that makes it by all existing rules. Unlike with more user-friendly firewall software, you can't, for example, right click a log entry and select an "add rule" function. Nope, you do it by scratch.

* You can't filter the log viewer display.

* You can't clear the log from within the application. You can clear the display, but that doesn't affect the file(s) on disk.

* There is no way to be alerted with a sound or dialog when a certain condition is met. (Technically, you can create a rule that asks for an allow/deny response on an unhandled event, but that carries the risk of an accidental allow. It's not the same as "deny and alert".)

* There is no way to import or export rules.

ghammer reviewed v1.0.1.48 on Jan 19, 2005

Excellent firewall and does more too. Looks like some want a ready to run package that they don't have to configure.

But for those who wish to have a very configurable firewall and added process security too, this is a great tool!

ailef reviewed v1.0.1.47 on Jan 11, 2005

had a bsod with tcpip.sys
anyone had this prob?
xp pro sp2

KaptK reviewed v1.0.1.44 RC on Dec 3, 2004

First of all, I couldn't get port 445 blocked. It kept coming up with the nag all the time even though I had a rule in to block it.

Secondly, small memory footprint ..I don't think so. It probably one of the biggest i've tried.

Thirdly, it's unclear whether this will be free when the program goes out of testing phases. The program has wording like "evaluation" so beware of future versions becoming shareware.

It seemed to work fine though hence the rating.

marcos_cu reviewed v1.0.1.44 RC on Dec 3, 2004

I tried it in the past and it was unstable.
I'm happy with this new version. But if you are looking for a product that comes without the need for configuration (like Vegeta there...), then this is NOT for you. Go with ZA or something else.
As for www.firewallleaktester.com if you read carefully, there they tested Jetico for an older version... I did the tests and guess what: for me Jetico passed ALL of them! No injected code allowed. So while others are willing to pay 40 bucks for products like Look'n' Stop, I will do the same for free.
Thank you Jetico. Keep up the ggod work!

SuperVegeta reviewed v1.0.1.44 RC on Dec 3, 2004

Awful. It slow my pc and it's terribly difficult to use. The installation sucks and remowal is worst.

ModderXManiac reviewed v1.0.1.44 RC on Dec 3, 2004

For a freeware firewall, I guess the new version is ok.
But its FAR from being the best firewall for Windows.
Black Ice and Look 'N' Stop are the best firewalls.
How can you say that Jetico is the best when you havent even looked at the statistics for it?
I will be honest in saying that I am quite impressed with how secure this firewall is, given the fact that its so new, that its not even at version 2, and its doing so well. Such a new project, so to speak. I will give it a 3 until it beats or rivals the firewalls I mentioned above.

www.firewallleaktester.com

As you can see there, Look 'N' Stop scored the highest. Black Ice is just about even.
And for all you fans of Sygate, it is rated as one of the worst firewalls, period. Ive seen it get lousy reviews on 14 different tech sites.

So stop being a n00b and do some actual research.

ciayko reviewed v1.0.1.42 RC on Nov 24, 2004

This is the best firewall for Windows. period.
Of course only advanced users can appreciate his power. I beg therefore heartily the beginners: DONT review this software. poor knowledge = poor rating, unfortunately.

otonet reviewed v1.0.1.42 RC on Nov 22, 2004

ModderXManiac,
this is a great firewall and the only table-based firewall for windows I know about.
It is just not for beginners.
Moreover, the support team is very active and friendly: they added some features I requested and fixed the Avast 4.5 comppatibility issue in one day.
IMO it's THE firewall for windows.

ModderXManiac reviewed v1.0.1.42 RC on Nov 21, 2004

Sucks, not worth it. Its practically a brand new project anyway. Whoever reviewed this was stoned obviously. I would probably give it higher regards if it had tcp/udp control, and the packet managing is horrific. The best firewalls in my opinion are BlackIce & Sygate.

Kerio: ARE YOU INSANE? Obviously written by n00bs.
ZoneAlarm: I outta hack you right now.
Outpost: Customizing this is like raising a newborn baby.
Norton Security 2005: Just Shutup, you arent worthy to use the internet using crap like that.

ghammer reviewed v1.0.1.42 RC on Nov 21, 2004

Dear Fanboys,

Sygate, LnS, etc are not everyone's "perfect" firewall. Sorry.

You pointing out things that aren't true or worse, giving helpful advice like "It sucks", is annoying, stupid, and doesn't result in anyone using the app that you have such emotional feelings for.

For others, this is a great app and if you simply read the readme you have a nice tool. And since it is in testing, it's free.

alexrhcosta reviewed v1.0.1.42 RC on Nov 20, 2004

Stick with Sygate and you´ll never have problems!
This Jetico crap and all the others just SUCK !!!

httpd.confused reviewed v1.0.1.40 Beta on Oct 29, 2004

Funny how someone would say that JPF stops every leak test at http://www.firewallleaktester.com/ , when in actuality (and as I pointed out before), it only stops 16 out of 24 of the tests (or 17, if you count PCAudit on Windows 2003 only).

This is still the noisiest and most-annoying personal firewall software on the market. If it's outbound protection you're after, try Look 'n' Stop (which has shortcomings of its own). I'd say Outpost, but Agnitum has no clue what "support" means.

Saad_alshawwa reviewed v1.0.1.23 Beta on Sep 18, 2004

it is a good tool , but we dont have to forget that kerio personal firewall and sygate personal firewall are more customized and more stable which gives u the power to control your own traffic.

Chris12923 reviewed v1.0.1.23 Beta on Sep 16, 2004

All I know is that it stops every leaktest loocated at http://www.firewallleaktester.com/leaktest6.htm. To pass DNStester leaktest you must turn off Microsoft DNS Client run-->msconfig-->services tab I think you only need to do this on XP not 2000. Also I saw in another post where it asks everytime about hooking. It should only ask once if you tick the remember the remember box. You must also goto options-->general-->save changes automatically so it will not ask you again after reboot. Great firewall .

httpd.confused reviewed v1.0.1.23 Beta on Sep 16, 2004

JPF doesn't seem to monitor application components, so if you grant a program access, then a DLL that program uses changes, well it just lets it make outbound calls just the same. This is unacceptable to me, since outbound control is the main reason I use a firewall.

The other annoying thing is how I found myself endlessly responding to prompts. I've never seen such a needy application. Ever.

For example, JPF prompts you TWICE for each and EVERY program that tries making an outbound connection (once for "network access", and again for the communication itself).

Another example: JPF can intercept windows hooking, which in itself is a good thing. However, you can't simply tell JPF that an certain program is allowed to use hooks, and leave it at that. No, you have to respond to a prompt for EVERY program it tries to use a hook on. So for example, if you use File-Ex to modify Open/Save dialogs, you can't just configure JPF to allow File-Ex to do so. Rather, you have to respond to a JPF prompt for EVERY APPLICATION THAT USES AN OPEN/SAVE DIALOG! This is absolutely maddening to me. (Note that I am NOT failing to save my settings, as the person above seems to think.)

And Chris, better rethink the performance of JPF on leak tests: http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.htm . It passes only 16 out of 24 tests.

DarthVeda reviewed v1.0.1.17 Beta on Jul 21, 2004

Very good program but annoyed me with all those questions. launching msn messenger caused it to ask questions for sign-in window, connecting to msn server, msn ads connecting, msn add-ons connecting. That's just a example.

Sometime it forgets the saved setting and keeps pestering me everytime i launch an application.

Norton integration with E-mail scanning stopped after i installed this.

Flemens reviewed v1.0.1.17 Beta on Jul 20, 2004

It looks like a good program, but damn all these questions :) This is not a program for novice surfers. After a while in order to get anything done with the computer one klicks ok on anything that appears or puts everything in "application trusted zone" out of pure frustration.
If they can find the (impossible?) balance between security and easy to handle or learn so that the novice (like me) knows why I am denying or accepting things - this will be a killer app!
But I will evaluate it more before I make a definitive conclusion.

httpd.confused reviewed v1.0.1.17 Beta on Jul 20, 2004

Well, I'm not a "novice", and I find JPF torturously difficult to configure. For example, I don't like wide-open DNS rules. So, I want to create specific rules for svchost.exe to perform DNS functions. But I can't simply create one rule that lets svchost.exe talk to UDP port 53 on each of my (several) DNS servers. No, I have to create one inbound rule for each server, and one outbound rule for each server. (I could specify "Any", but that defeats half my purpose.)

And can I specify host names on rules in general (other than DNS rules)? Why no, I have to use IP addresses. How lovely.

Another example: Normally, you'd expect a "trusted" application to be able to function without hassle. However, when I use a remote proxy with Ad Muncher, JPF starts blocking the data being sent back, because gee whiz, that's unrecognized data. Hello? This is data being requested by a TRUSTED application.

Yeah, you can just click "OK" blindly a bunch of times and let JPF configure itself. But if you want a high degree of granularity, JPF is a serious hassle. And the inconvenient dialogs and always-collapsed tree controls used just compound all of this.

gkar reviewed v1.0.1.17 Beta on Jul 20, 2004

I turned off Kerio 2.15 to check this out on my Win XP Home box and it kept locking up and denying my browser access to the internet. I too believe these guys are on the right track though and I think some future releases will improve this program. I kept allowing access to all pop up reqquests just to insure I wasn't preventing some needed access, yet no go.

E.T. reviewed v1.0.1.17 Beta on Jul 20, 2004

Layout looks good, however, the program is ridiculously buggy. It gives numerous errors under Win98, keeps asking about the same programs again and again, crashes all the time, caused some other programs to crash too. Unless it's made for NT kernel only, it's usless.
I'd really like to rate it higher than 2 but, I think it hasn't even reached beta stage and should not be given to the public yet.

Chris12923 reviewed v1.0.1.17 Beta on Jul 20, 2004

I have been using JPF since its .9x release. I have tested it against (ZAP, Sygate, Tiny, NIS, etc.) and they all missed at least one leaktest from http://www.firewallleaktester.com/ except JPF. Novice users shouldn't have much problem if they just answer the alerts and not have to configure rules.

httpd.confused reviewed v1.0.0.77 on Jul 20, 2004

Jetico Personal Firewall has great potential, but the interface and some points of functionality need a whole lot of improvement. (I am tempted to elaborate, but I have a very good reason not to. :) )

This is one personal firewall product to watch, though. When it matures, it just might force competitors to fill in the holes they've left.

otonet reviewed v1.0.0.77 on Jul 20, 2004

I have tried lots of personal firewalls in the last months: ZoneAlarm, Symantec, Kerio, Sygate, Agnitum, and Jetico.

I was looking for flexibility of configuration, so I'm not judging on ease of use or stealthiness. I like Agnitum and Jetico best, because they allow to easily design complex rules.

In fact, I like Jetico the most because it's the only table-based firewall I've found for Windows (IP Tables is a powerful and well-known concept in the linux world).

This firewall is not intended for beginners, but for power users who know about networking, ports, and protocols. I rate it 5 stars.