Firewall for Vista

Can anyone recommend a decent free firewall for Vista? I usually use Zone Alarm, but am a little nervous about diving in with a beta version.

 

I just found this one on major geeks site, and installed it. Seems to work like Zone alarm and is for Vista. http://www.pctools.com/firewall/?ref=mg

Hope it works for you

 

Thanks.

 

You could also try vista firewall control http://sphinx-soft.com/Vista/order.html that's what i'm using with vista and it lets you block the internet when you want to.

 

I agree because ZA tries to download the AV updates even if you told it not to install the AV at the start. I run Avast and ZA slowed everything down internet wise. It's off my system. Lots of posts in their forums if one wants to check. Hmm, their forums are are down now, at least the public beta one is, hmm they all are. What's with that?confused Some more damage control? LOL

 

I downloaded and installed the PC Tools firewall that the other poster recommended. I like it, except that you can only set to allow or block programs, but can't set it to ask every time. I like knowing when some programs are trying to use the internet, even if I sometimes allow them to.

 

Ya, PCTools is fine though many folk found it screwed their Vista and had to re-install Vista. If you're that paranoid, ZA is also set up like this basically. Allow, deny or ask. The only time I would worry is if something asks for access without you initiating the process and don't recognize the program name. There is a basic set of programs that you have to let through, one of which is your browser.

 

what firewalls can u use with vista that has program controls with allow, block ask options?

thanks

 

Zone Alarm has allow, block or ask options and has a beta version that works with Vista. I usually use Zone Alarm, but I'm nervous about using betas.

So far I haven't had any compatibility issues with Vista and PC Tools firewall, however as I mentioned before, I miss the "always ask" feature from Zone Alarm.

 

You still get that with PCTools, just make sure you uncheck the 'Remember this action' at the bottom before clicking allow or deny. Of course you don't have the screen that ZA does.

 

Hey guys.
Thanks for all the ifno. I will look into Avast.
pamela

 

If PC Tools firewall has issues with vista, and zone alarm is not ready for vista yet, what firewall can you use with vista? I am assuming the vista firewall is not good enough. Is there any indication when zone alarm (non-beta) will be ready for vista?

 

Vista Firewall Control works well.

 

Does this mean that no other firewall is needed, or that it is sufficient until a better firewall becomes compatible with vista at which time it would be preferable to install a third party firewall?

 

I like it well enough that I may not switch to ZA, but for now it is good enough as ports aren't stealthed but only closed and it seems to be well behaved as I haven't heard any complaints as of yet. Oh, you misunderstood me, Vista Firewall Control is a 3rd party in/out rule based FW.

 

I see zone alarm listed (on the majorgeeks compatiblilty page) as compatible with windows vista; is this the case? If it is not compatible, do we know when it will be?

 

It is compatible, however it's bundled with their AV and even if you say no to the AV install, the updates will turn it back on. If you are OK with that then go right ahead, just make sure to uninstall any AV that you have before loading this. I prefer standalone products, at least for now. I'm just wondering if ZA will keep this product free.

 

For the vista firewall control, do you use the free version or one of the paid versions? Also, do you know when the stand-alone zone alarm will be ready for vista?
Thanks for the advice

 

The free version, as for ZA, I have no idea. This may be a new business model for them doing a suite like many others are doing, that's why I said it might not be free, but I certainly don't know, just guessing. Check their forums if they're up yet.

 

I vaguely remember it being around June when they estimate the non-beta ZA will be ready.

BTW, I'm not having any compatibility issues with PC Tools firewall and Vista. It's just a minor matter of a user-interface feature that I liked in ZA, which isn't quite the same in PC Tools.

 

I installed vista firewall control. It does not ask permission to allow a website to be viewed; is this normal? This is a separate firewall that is not used in conjunction with the firewall supplied with vista, right?. So, I should turn off the firewall suplied with vista? Also, when installing new programs on the computer I know it is a good idea to turn the firewall off, but if I have a DSL connection, might this make me vulnerable to attack? In the control screen, should Internet Explorer be set to Enable All or only incoming?
I know that is a lot of questions, but thanks again

 

Yes, it's normal, what it's watching for is programs that try to 'phone home' like trojans. If you get a popup asking for permission to access the 'net and you didn't start it, Google the program if you're not sure. Things like Java or HP updates for example are normal.

Correct

Yes as they will slow your surfing by interfering with each other.

No, you don't have to turn your FW off IMO, I've never had to but one never knows. If you're that worried then just unplug the modem when installing.

I'm not sure, perhaps Halo will have an answer.

 

Hey guys,
I've just read the info. and it seams like I just use the windows fire wall
that came with vista program. Thank you helping me decide. keep me updated
if anything new comes up.:wave

 

You just won't have outgoing security unless you can figure out the rules in Vista's firewall.

 

Thanks again

 

Erm, I just answered four out of five questions you had. Look up my man.

 

I still don't know how to determine what type of permission to give each program. For me it has been trial and error - Internet Explorer only works if I Enable All, Adaware only downloads updates if I Enable All, yet Spybot S+D downloads updates if I choose Enable Outgoing only. Any thoughts on how to determine what type of permission to give to each program?

 

Hi again,

The firewall that came with vista is thePC-Cillin by Trend. If I turn that
off and then try and download ZA I should have better sucess with the
download then.

 

Was the Trend on a disk? Did you turn off the Windows one? Two running firewalls will definitely slow you down.

 

Yes, the Trend was on a disk. and no I didn't turn windows one off.
Details.