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A security tool for preventing certain connections depending on the IP address

A security tool for preventing certain connections depending on the IP address

Vote: (93 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Phoenixlabs

Version: 2.0-beta-6c

Works under: Windows

Also available for Mac

Vote:

Program license

(93 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Phoenixlabs

2.0-beta-6c

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Mac

PeerGuardian is an IP blocker/firewall application for individuals who use peer-to-peer networking.

The need for IP blockers arises from the fact that users of peer-to-peer networking often have their privacy violated. Despite the fact that there are numerous legitimate uses for peer-to-peer networking, organizations often violate the privacy of users in the effort to curb copyright infringement. PeerGuardian and other similar utilities were invented to make this more difficult.

PeerGuardian works by blocking connections to and from hosts that are defined by the software's blocklists.

Features

Peer Guardian's features include:

  • A list editor
  • Automatic updates
  • Support for more than one blocklist
  • Automatic updating

Installation on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 is quick and trouble-free; additionally, the user interface is clean and can be easily figured out. The interface allows users to handle settings such as logging IPs and preventing certain sites from being blocked. They even have the option of blocking certain IPs temporarily or indefinitely.

Open Source

PeerGuardian's source code is available for free to anyone who wants it. This provides users with the security that the code is peer-reviewed and that there is no added spyware.

It should be noted that PeerGuardian does not provide total protection. It will not provide anyone engaging in illegal file sharing with complete security, nor will any of the other programs of its type. These programs are only as good as their blocklists and will not provide protection from IPs that are not included on those lists. Even with those limitations, it is a good idea to have PeerGuardian as a first line of defense against corporations that are attempting to spy on individuals who are sharing information legally.

Pros of PeerGuardian

  • Provides a basic layer of security for peer-to-peer network users by blocking known anti peer-to-peer addresses (including those of the RIAA and MPAA)
  • Does not use a lot of memory
  • Easy to install
  • Easy to customize with user-created IP lists
  • The ability to log IPs
  • Updates automatically
  • Clean and simple GUI

Cons of PeerGuardian

  • Does not provide complete protection