Unsurprisingly, there are a wide variety of antivirus, endpoint, and other cybersecurity protection products on the market. After all, there are a variety of online attacks that can seriously damage your network, data, hardware, online identity, etc.

That is why today’s topic is network firewall software. Your first line of protection against intrusion is a network firewall. We’ll discuss security for several operating systems, such a Linux firewall, a Windows firewall, or a firewall for macOS. We’ll also show you where to discover free firewalls or good firewalls for small businesses! But first, what exactly is firewall software?

What Is Software for Firewalls?
In order to prevent unauthorised access to your network, a firewall is a network security system made up of either software or firmware that inspects all inbound and outbound traffic on your system in accordance with predetermined criteria and regulations. Consider firewall software as a wall or other obstruction that keeps the outside world from reaching your IT assets.

A building wall that stops fires from spreading was the first object to which the word “firewall” was applied. Typically, fire-resistant materials are used to construct these walls. Thus, it is clear why IT chose the phrase for cybersecurity-related purposes. Firewalls are used by plenty of businesses and private customers. A firewall is already present in many devices, and they are compatible with widely used operating systems including macOS, Windows, and Linux. Most people agree that firewalls are an essential component of network security.

To stay up with the most recent threats and new OS versions, firewall manufacturers frequently offer updates and upgrades. Therefore, if you move to Windows 11 and already have a firewall for Windows 10, you should be able to obtain a patch or upgrade.

Let’s look at a trio of free firewall software options for Windows, macOS, and Linux before moving on to the more robust firewall options.

The Top Free Windows Firewall Program
Three of the top Windows open-source firewall programmes are listed below:

Peerblock

Incoming and outgoing IP addresses that have been blacklisted on the Internet are blocked by peerblock. Additionally, you can alter the program’s operations and user interface as well as enable and disable IP and HTTP trackers. But before utilising Peerblock, you should have a basic understanding of IT.

Tinywall

Tinywall is a minimal PC firewall that doesn’t have any obtrusive pop-ups or adverts. You can easily make exceptions because it has an auto-learn function. A whitelist, application access controls, IPv6 compatibility, blocklists by ports and domains, password locks, and other features are also available from Tinywall.

XG Firewall Home Edition from Sophos

This product demonstrates why Sophos has a stellar reputation in the cybersecurity industry. It is a comprehensive network security system that includes elements like Wi-Fi users. But take care—it may replace your system’s existing OS or other configuration files.

MacOS’s Best Free Firewall Program
Three of the top open-source firewall programmes for macOS are listed below:

IceFloor
Your device is shielded by IceFloor from malware, Trojan infections, and outside spying attempts. It monitors incoming and outgoing connections using bandwidth rules and a user-friendly interface. It hasn’t been updated since June 2014, so use caution.

Hands Off!
A premium (paid) version of this firewall is also available, although it is rather pricey. By making your device invisible to hackers, it deters attacks and safeguards your computer against worms, trojan horses, and other network parasites.

Murus Lite
Murus is a user-friendly, straightforward firewall that manages Internet access for your apps while shielding them from incoming and outgoing activity from unauthorised networks.

The Best Linux Free Firewall Software
Here are the top three Linux open-source firewall programmes:

ClearOS

This product is a wonderful web-based administration interface, well-supported Linux firewall that’s simple to use. A firewall can be set up, watched, and the distribution can be expanded to include other network services.

OpenWRT

This firewall wasn’t made for home users searching for a straightforward firewall for their PC; rather, it was created for networks and routers. OpenWRT, on the other hand, benefits from robust support, a wealth of add-ons, and quick speeds.

IPFire

IPFire is simple to configure and set up. It offers firewall functionality to users, boasts intrusion detection and prevention skills, and can even be used to VPN infrastructure.

So much for the freebies, I guess. The software listed below costs money. However, you may be confident that you get your money’s worth.