Each has its strengths, but neither has everything a typical corporate user needs. Like anti-virus software, personal firewall products are crucial for users maintaining open connections over fast cable or digital subscriber line modems. Speedy response times, static IP addresses and activated file sharing make users targets for hacks and disruptions.
Personal firewalls afford the only protection available to users outside a gateway umbrella.
NIS 2000, on the other hand, is a good buy for small-office and home users. Another good alternative for novices is ConSeal Private Desktop, a Signal 9 Solutions product that is simpler to use than ConSeal PC Firewall. Maintenance costs 18 percent after the first year. NIS 2000, which includes Norton AntiVirus 2000 and can plug into Norton SystemWorks 2000, began shipping last month. These products enter a crowded field that includes Zone Labs Inc.'s free ZoneAlarm, which performs basic firewalling by application.