BlackICE PC Protection 3.5 review

BlackICE PC Protection is the latest personal firewall software from Internet Security Systems, replacing the BlackICE Defender product we reviewed in the February issue.

The home version of BlackICE has always been a sturdy, intelligently-made product that tends to be overshadowed in reviews by free products such as ZoneAlarm and Tiny Personal Firewall, not least because it used to cost £40. But its other weak point has been that it wouldn't block unauthorised programs on your PC from contacting the Internet. This latest version comes with a raft of new features intended to stop renegade applications from leaking your secrets to an Internet-based attacker.

I've believed for a while now that antivirus and firewall software would start to merge, and BlackICE PC Protection is a strong indicator that this is happening. When it's first installed, BlackICE scans your PC for installed applications and stores a database of what these files look like using a 'checksum' - a bit like a digital signature. Should another program find its way onto your system and attempt to run, it will be halted, and you'll be asked whether or not to allow it to continue. This excellent feature addresses the fact that hackers can come at you from a number of angles, particularly by sending Trojan programs that contain naughty features that allow remote access.

An Install mode can be enabled, which temporarily silences the alerting system whilst you install new software. You need to re-enable this after installation, or you'll be vulnerable to Trojans. It will automatically remind you to do so after a minute or two, which is useful.

Just like its predecessor, BlackICE PC Protection will stop hacker attacks originating from the Internet. It can alert you and attempt to trace the perpetrator, which seems like fun the first 20 times, but you'll soon be grateful that audio and visual alerts can be turned off, leaving the program to log intrusion attempts in silence. Repeat offenders can be blocked automatically.

Free updates are available, which users should download frequently, just as with an antivirus package. This keeps the software aware of new hacker attacks as they begin to spread.

Whether you still dial up to the Internet with a modem, or are lucky enough to have an ADSL or cable broadband connection, some form of firewall is necessary. BlackICE PC Protection is an excellent choice, particularly as it now comes with application protection features and a new, lower price.