Antivirus and Firewall?

it's been awhile since I've had a new computer.
I noticed this thread about things to DL for a new computer.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page/how_to_optimize_that_new_computer.html
I see Antivirus and Anti-spyware, but nothing for Firewall?
I'm using a computer with Windows 8.1.
on my other computer I've used Zone Alarm free for Firewall.

 

Under Internet Tools- (sub category) Firewalls,

http://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortname/firewalls.html

 

thank you.

I noticed there is Zone Alarm free, as well as Zone Alarm free Antivirus + Firewall. if you use the one that has the Antivirus, do you also use another Antivirus?
how come ZA free Antivirus + Firewall is only 3.2 MB, but ZA free is 209 MB? that seems like an awfully big difference.

 

Hey SpecialFNK, I'm really not sure about the file size, but ZA free + Antivirus is a complete suite, so no do not use it along side another antivirus. As always, only one antivirus to a computer.

 

I have to chime in with an unpopular option if you are running a home computer.

Configure your computer as you want and image it. Keep that image safe.
Re-image when you do a few updates. Run MalwareBytes once a week. No full time Anti Virus, no firewall. Back up your data regularly.
If you get infected restore from your image.
I started doing this with the kids computers because I was spending way more time fighting virus than it would take to restore from an image. Their needs are simple, a couple of games and MS Office, they have learned to back up their data and know if they get a virus I am not spending days restoring them. 1 hour tops and they are back up and running. Their computers run faster and I save many hours or repair time.

 

I'd largely go along with that other than not running an AV or firewall. What do you gain from that - it's not as if either massively slows down your computer? But imaging regularly - yes, yes, yes. It's the complete answer not only to getting infected but also to any other system problems that may arise, including hard drive failure! But it seems that the message about backing up just never reaches most users. Lord knows why.