Rating: 
Summary: Black Ice Defender - Effective and Easy to Use
Review: This program is very effective and easy to use, especially for the novice computer user, although I think even more advanced users think it's great. I was really suprised to see how many attacks were initiated on my system in just one hour. I recommend that everyone get this program, you'll be shocked at what you see going on. Don't think you can just buy things off the net without many people trying to access your computer. After the first day, I got rid of individual hackers who had computers set up to monitor the web for personal computers. Price wise it's definately worth the peace of mind.
Rating:
Summary: Any Defense is Better Than None
Review: I received a Compaq Presario Notebook last Christmas as present. I began learning how to use it's various features. I have taken free trials of various internet services such as AOL to see which I would like best. I consider myself a computer novice and it was months before I realized that I needed Anti-Virus protection as well as hacker protection. So far I've subscribed to McAfee for my AntiVirus. For hacker protection, I downloaded the free basic ZoneAlarm program and then bought the CD software from Black Ice. I find that ZA and Ice work OK together. ZA acts like a doorman and whenever I'm on the internet and I want to download a free program, ZA always answers the knock and asks me if I will allow admittance. After allowing admittance I have found out that while downloading free programs, my Black Ice Defender will allow downloading but will block attempts by the downloading program to access my files and send back info to its source. I get a free download and my personal computer info stays in my computer and isn't allowed to be sent back for anyone's scrutiny. I feel that I have a guard at the door and a guard on patrol. I think the combination of the free zone alarm program and Black Ice Defender make for a dynamic duo that can stop hackers in their tracks. I recommend Black Ice as well as Zone Alarm but Black Ice keeps a detail record of all hacker type attempts as well as pointing a finger back to where the attack came from. I realize that one man's meat is another man's poison and that there are some computer users that may not like Black Ice. All I can say is that any defense is better than none and Black Ice is tough enough for the job needed.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for dummies.
Review: I've been a user of BlackICE Defender for quite some time now. I've used it for many network sercutiry jobs, and businesses in the past. In true tests I've proven to different companies the vulnerabilities of BlackICE vs. the competition. One of the problems is that if you plan on buying this product and you belive you can just throw it onto your HDD, you will come up short with your home/office network. This product takes a bit of configuring with different ports and IP addresses. Once you've done all of this though, you have yourself a VERY good product that will not only block exploit from being run on your computer, it will simply terminate them and erase them in the progress due to it's application protection option. BlackICE is worth every penny....if you know what you're doing with it.
Rating: 
Summary: XP Not Compatible
Review: Black Ice performed fine for me under Windows 98, but with graduation to Windows XP, I experienced frequent crashes. Microsoft alluded to Black Ice as the problem and suggested that I update to Version 3.0 or better. Unfortunately, as of this writing, there is no V. 3.0 for Black Ice. A switch to the Norton firewall has yielded greatly increased stability. The following error analysis was received from Microsoft on 2/19/02:
"BlackIce defender version 2.9 or earlier is installed on your machine. BlackIce Defender version 2.9 and earlier are known to cause this crash. Please contact Internet Security Systems ...to get an updated driver (3.0 or later) that should correct this problem. This event report has been processed and analyzed. We determined that this crash event was caused by the following module:
BlackDrv.sys This module was produced by Network ICE® Corporation. For more information, contact Network ICE® Corporation"
Rating:
Summary: DSL or Dial-up. Buy this puppy! It won't cause crashes!
Review: I bought Black Ice Defender. I loaded Black Ice Defender in minutes. Black Ice Defender has run flawlessly on my system for many months. Why am I suggesting you buy it? Because I thought I was blowing my money, because I connect to the Internet using a slow Dial-Up account through Earthlink. I incorrectly thought that only DSL and Cable modems were prone to hackers' prying eyes - well I was wrong. Black Ice runs from the system tray. I disabled the audible tone so the icon flashes one of several meaningful security codes to signal anything from a minor concern to a major hacking attempt. I was astonished to find people trying to hack me the very first hour that I installed it! Talk about feeling violated!...Spend the [money]. Let Black Ice defend the information you have on your system. It has never once caused a crash or a slow down.
Rating: 
Summary: Black Ice Defender is mediocre at best.
Review: in the past I have used many different firewalls. The famous "Atguard", Zonealarm, and now Black ice. I spent [$] on it, it said that it stops hackers cold. I frequently visit a web site called "shields up", it tries to probe your ports and test your security. using Black Ice, it was sucsessful in probing port 139, and NETBios. (thats not good), and I found that I was not in full stealth mode. Using the free Zonealarm firewall, all of your ports are in full stealth mode, however recent rumors suggesting that zonealarm may actually be spyware convinced me to get rid of it. In addition to Black Ice, I downloaded a free firewall called "Tiny Personal Firewall", it is very good, and makes my ports invisible, just as zonealarm. Another problem I had after intstalling Black Ice, is that my PC would just turn off, and I would get kicked off the internet often, also, since I have had it, it hasnt picked up a single hacker, and I have it set on "paranoid" mode, however the Tiny Persoanl firewall, has picked up, and blocked a number of attemps made by hackers to get into my system. If I could do it again, I would have saved my [$]. Dont but Black Ice. Download "Tiny Persoanl Firewall"....its good, and it's free! :)
Rating:
Summary: ZoneAlarm has it all plus more and it is free
Review: One reviewer from Ocala, FL United States wrote, "After [zonealarm] allowing admittance I have found out that while downloading free programs, my Black Ice Defender will allow downloading but will block attempts by the downloading program to access my files and send back info to its source."
Zone Alarm does this too but it also encrypts the reference to the program so a trojan horse cannot spoof ZoneAlarm. "Black Ice keeps a detail record of all hacker type attempts as well as pointing a finger back to where the attack came from." Zone alarm does this too. The best on the market is actually free. Search for ZoneAlarm and go with the product our Network Administrator's use at home.
Rating: 
Summary: No Support
Review: This product is worthless. It says plainly on their website that they offer NO phone support. That is danger number one. It locked up my computer all four times I tried to install it. I was unable to boot. It is hard to get web support when your computer will not boot. Avoid this software.
Rating:
Summary: RUN, HIDE, BUY SOMETHING ELSE
Review: This is a case of tampering with a great product, and fouling it up. The original Black Ice was wonderful. It operated quietly in the background, keeping bad guys at bay. Then they "upgraded it". They made it obtrusive and a nag, interrupting all normal computer use with nagging messages and questions. The problem is, if you set it at the highest security questions, you get nagging messages at every turn. Even if you want to open a game, offline, with broadband disconnected, you get a Black Ice pop-up. To decrease the interruptions, you have to lower the level of security. Not a good trade-off. Then the other day, it just went crazy and seized control of my computer, basically locking me out. No matter what I wanted to do, it shut me down. Kind of like the Matrix. I finally had to reboot and restart in safe mode to uninstall Black Ice. I've gone out and bought a new firewall program.
Rating:
Summary: Works great
Review: As for the person with AOL, Black Ice shouldn't run with AOL. After all, AOL is constantly selling your info. anyway. Only YOU can stop that problem. I have been using Black Ice Defender for over two years now. I think this is the best firewall out there other than using a router to block ports. I have never been hacked and my PC runs 24/7. It is really easy to use and gives detailed info. on the attacks on your computer. The software even describes what the attacker is attempting to do! I highly recommend this software. It will prove to be a highly effective tool in keeping unwanted visitors out.
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