Best Firewall?

I'm trying to compare some firewalls and i was looking for people's opinions here on the favorite firewalls. I hate running my pc without a firewall.
I used Norton Internet Security with my old computer but Im trying to stay away from Norton heh. Im currently running the Sygate firewall and it seems pretty good, but Im thinking that there is better out there.
So what's the favorite firewall here at MG?
thanks

 

I love Zone Alarm.

 

I agree with Halo-staying off the internet is best! Joking apart, I use Kaspersky Labs because it is simple to configure, keeps me advised what's going on, but, most importantly, keeps winning awards in reviews for its effectiveness and beats most of the competition.http://www.majorgeeks.com/vb/images/icons/icon14.gif

 

aenima,

First, you are doing the right thing (IMHO) by getting Geeks' opinions in choosing a firewall.

Second, I'd like to echo Halo's advice to keep

Finally, MY choice is Zone Alarm Pro with web filtering. (If you decide to use it, make sure your version is up to date.) I have used Norton Internet Security and like ZA Pro much better. The user interface is a pain at first because you will be alerted every time anything (an application, browser, etc.) tries to access the internet, but after you get all the "permissions" set up it's a piece of cake! You can get a free trial here: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2671.html

Good luck with whatever you decide to use!

Peace & Take care,
Gina

 

Alright thanks everyone! Im going to try ZA and see how it compares to Sygate.

i keep my windows updated and im pretty good at keeping an eye on new stuff that gets installed, but thanks for the advice. I feel much more secure with a small firewall running.

Thanks again

 

just wondering...
isnt Zone alarm a sygate product?

 

No it is not made by sygate.

 

I also wanted to add that, if you like Zone Alarm Pro but want a free version, you can find it here: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download388.html . I've never used the free version but some people like it just as well as Pro. That is totally up to you and your needs. Good luck!

Peace & Take care,
Gina

 

i'm using sygate... very user friendly and simple to use... i'm sticking with it because it works....

 

Okay, to bump this topic.

Since the last post, ZAP has come out with the 6.x version which has many huge issues for some users, like me. Had to dump it as the vsmon.exe gobbled my VM in 30 minutes.

And, this week (august 16,2005), Symantec (Norton) purchased Sygate, which is a real blow to all who have grown to love Sygate and greatly dislike anything to do with Nrton.

I tried OUTPOST, but had no clue how to configure it and uninstalled it almost immediately.

What the verdict now:
Which $$ firewall is the best?

Which free firewall is best? That's probably all I really want as I installed a router/firewall after the ZAP fiasco last week.

 

Whats so bad and wrong with Nortons? Of the ones ive tried, I like it the best.

Zone Alarm is too noisy, lets you know every time it blocks an AD, who gives a rip.

Nortons has many features , like listing all programs with internet capabiility, lets you know where your leaks might be.

 

Which Firewall is the best? Which ever one works the best for your situation. What is wrong with Norton's Firewall, nothing when discussing protection, but when it comes to system resources NIS will gooble up your system resources in a hurry. If you are using Norton Personal Firewall then you won't experience the resource problems associated with Norton Internet Security's Firewall.


On a side note did you notice this thread in more than a year old?

 

Then set it up so it doesn't alert you in Alerts and Logs, then Advanced.

Too many people accept the default installations or don't read the help files.


Apart from being a year old, this topic is probably one of the most asked questions here.

 

Anyways I have head that Sygate really only focused on enterprise users and not as much as the home users (lack of updates). I wonder what Norton gonna do with Sygate.

I personally use a router and Filseclab Personal Firewall Pro. This firewall isnt a novice firewall. More of an advanced firewall, but it protects very good.

I would either choose ZoneAlarm Free (or Pro) or Sygate...Both of these are great choices for a personal firewall.

controlmind

 

Shadow puter dude:

Sorry i didnt notice, i just read the stuff that interests me and respond.

Actually i havent noticed any slow down running Nortons AV and Firewall.
I am still able to run four or five apps at once, and they move slower but i dont have any problem with it.

I guess its all what your getting used to. Ive heard a lot of good things about Kaspersky, and if I pay again next time around I'd like to try it. However I will never again buy a product thats bundled from Iolo, cause i think they suck.

 

Which Kaspersky product are you talking about??

- Internet Security Suite
- Anti-Virus Personal
- Anti-Hacker(firewall)

If norton's firewall isnt giving you any problems I would stick with it.

controlmind

 

Sygate user here... but I have to admit... I'm a little worried now that Symantec bought Sygate last week.

The free Sygate firewall may be coming to an end.

 

Yeah, I knew the thread was over a year old, but, hey, the best firewall discussion is always pertinent, IMO.
And, as many seem to like Sygate AND Norton buying them, I thought an update would be aprreciated
I'd say this updated discussion is good, as newer members may be interested.


What's wrong with Norton: it is a resource hog. Esp. when running the AV and firewall. And I had to run both Norton because I had a heck of a time finding a AV that Norton didn't collide with.

What's wrong with ZAP: I thought I was getting a good, lean firewall when I purchased it. It WAS better than Norton, but couldn't remember the rules I set up, esp. with Firefox. And, it continually and gradually upped the VM usage (darn vsmon.exe)
Then, I upgraded the faulty (for many) 6.x upgrade and my PC was virtaully useless, due to VM freezes and no ZAP icon to uninstall Tiem to bail ZAP, as I don't even want the 5.x version I had.
So, unless someone tells we fantastic things about a ZA below 6.x that I can still install....forget ZA.
Also, I need something to be compataible with my Avast! AV, which I love

Like Jackson, I worry that Sygate might end and don't want to get caught without a good alternataive lined up.
I am a firewall newbie and need something efficient and easy to configure to run along with my router/firewall and AVAST! AV. Don't want to JUST use WinXP firewall as it does nothing for outgoing stuff.

 

Like Norton alot. Been using it for years and with the right settings, doesn't eat up too much. Just my preference.

 

My 2 cents.........I use the free Kerio on several comps I maintain. On my Dell 4600 I use Micro Trends PC-cillin secutity. It is the AV and FW combined. I forget the orig cost but it cost $25.00 per yr to upgrade. I love it. Along with PC-cillin I use more free stuff.............CCleaner, Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, a-squared,Spyware Blaster, Microsoft Antispyware, and Ewido. My comp is the cleanest one of the number of computers I am familiar with.

Jack

 

I run SPF Free and AVAST! Home Edition. They work well together and I have had no conflicts between the two. Yes, I am a bit concerned that Symantec has now bought Sygate that SPF Free will no longer be offered; I hope this isn't the case, but none-the-less, I am concerned. Kerio Personal Firewall would be another option.

 

control mind and shal. puter dude:

control mind: about the AV and firewall, heard all good. apparently the AV remembers checking old entries and if they havent changed it moves by them faster.

Puter dude: i wanted to apologize to you, when i became a member here 2 weeks ago i read puter as peter and called you peter, my bad, i wasnt trying to be insulting it was actually me reading your SN incorrect

 

What about Outpost Pro? How does that compare to Zone Alarm? My ZA trial is almost over and I'm wondering if I should fork over the money and buy it or see what Outpost is like. Mainly because it's free

 

bought up the competition, huh? ... (when good companies go bad)

 

Kerio is being discontinued after december 2005. no support or updates or anything.

I currently like using F-Secure Client Security and Antivirus... also gonna try out bitdefender when i get some time. looks quite good from the screens and i have seen some reviews that say its no1...

 

I use ZoneAlarm's freebie firewall.
I recently added a router (Linksys wired Cable/DSL 4-Port BEFSR41).
Still use ZoneAlarm to check on any little bastards trying to call out.
The only issue I've had w/ZA was when I tried to check out Avast anti-virus.
It didn't like something ZA was doing and wanted me to uninstall it.
No loss.
AntiVir (free) is the scanner/remover I depend on and it is very good.
AVG is my second scanner. I like its behavior as resident.

 

After a week of fighting with the ZoneAlarm Pro upgrade to 6.0, and further problems after it was up and running, I finally got it deinstalled for the 3rd time where it's going to stay. I'm going to try Sygate.
abri

 

I don't know why a lot of people struggle with the uninstallation or upgrade.

Anyway, when uninstalling, you should always say "Yes" to the Security Check, or it cannot remove all installed files properly.

 

Outpost Firewall Pro has improved there protection with the release of 3.0 with that adding antispyware protection and some ethernet protection etc... I would download and install the trial version of Outpost Firewall Pro and give it a try. I would recommend Outpost over Zone Alarm

Its not number#1 but its up there with NOD32 and Kaspersky as the best antivirus. Ive tried it and liked it, but dont currrently use it


Brandon

 

how about ghostwall, the good thing about it is that it uses minimal resources and doesn't bombard you with questions all the time.

Some people say it is a PITA to set up, but I find it one of the easiest programs to use

 

I don't get this request for a Security Check when I'm uninstalling.

After I did finally get 6.0 installed, I made the mistake of right-clicking on the icon to turn ZAP off and for 2 days after that, no matter where I was in my computer, it told me I was not authorized to use any program ... not even Windows Explorer or Word or ZoneAlarm deinstall. Secure mode didn't help. I had to finally crash my computer to force a scan disk so that I could even get to where I could use Any program. Also, with my first deinstall I lost my "Help & Support" connection which is now mysteriously back since I got Zone Alarm back out of the computer.

Zone Alarm is a firewall. It is there to regulate traffic going in and out of the computer. That is all. Since they've started to blast me with "dangerous" activity to all my normal programs, I think they're out of their element. (growl)

abri

 

Some threads never die. They just lie in wait for new life. Will free Sygate go the way of Kerio? Just wondered. Thanks

Jack

 

That's because the True Vector Module is running. It's by design and setup.

There is a setting where you can turn it off, or you can stop the Module in Services, or simply restart ZA, so I don't really understand why you had so much trouble.

If you are struggling with ZA, or don't like it, then change.

Personally, I think it's a great firewall and very effective, and I have never had a problem with it.