Product Reviews

ADSL routers often have built-in firewalls, but you may need a more powerful security system. The TZ 150 offers enhanced security by taking a closer look at the data allowed through. This so-called deep-packet inspection is more thorough than you'll find on most cheap ADSL modems. It allows the firewall to scan and block incoming and outgoing network traffic and detect hacking exploits and viruses.

The web-based interface is simple to use and looks business-like. It's not designed for beginners, though a help system provides enough information to understand what most features are used for. There are lots of options, and someone running a home office is unlikely to require them all.

Included are a network address translation (NAT)

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firewall, a DHCP server for allocating IP addresses to PCs on the network and a range of anti-virus, anti-spyware and intrusion-detection services. There are settings to connect the firewall to another using a virtual private network (VPN). PCs on the internet connect to the local network using VPN client software, but that is not included.

Security services are not included either, but you can try them for 30 days for free. Subscribing to these services is not cheap. It costs £200 including VAT per year for the Comprehensive Gateway Suite, which includes the services already mentioned plus content filtering. For the anti-virus service you should budget £135 including VAT for five users. Once subscribed, the TZ 150 will prevent viruses and other bad data entering your network.

The TZ 150 passed all our desktop firewall tests, excelling in the intrusion detection test. It is easy to set up a web server on your local network and make it available to the internet. The TZ 150 also supports dynamic DNS services, so even if you have an ADSL service that gives you a dynamic IP address, people can still find your server.

This is an advanced firewall for users with advanced needs and a large budget. If your firewall needs are simple, we recommend buying the £70 Ozenda 11g unit below, which includes wireless too.