This section provides information on a number of personal (also known as desktop) firewalls that are available.

The ICSA Labs test and certify security related products as does West Coast Labs. They provide an independent view on the abilities of products to perform to high standards. Their web sites are at http://www.icsalabs.com/index.shtml and http://www.check-mark.com. Check out the Gibson Research Corporation's Shields Up site at http://grc.com/su-firewalls.htm for information on how personal firewalls work. The Home PC Firewall Guide provides independent reviews of Internet security products including personal firewalls. The site is at http://www.firewallguide.com/.

Microsoft Windows XP includes Internet Connection Firewall. This acts as a one way firewall, preventing an XP computer from being scanned for vulnerabilities and stopping unauthorised incoming connections from the Internet. It does not, however, prevent your data leaking out onto the Internet.  More information about the Internet Connection Firewall and XP can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/default.asp.