Firewall Programs

My apologies in advance for a topic constantly repeated, I'm about to add one more thread to that.


I've been using the Search feature, reading users experiences with various Free Firewalls. I'm confused as to which one to choose for my needs. I currently use ZoneAlarm (I've never used any other) but seems to slow the computer. (I noticed this when ZoneAlarm was uninstalled from my computer and I reinstalled it due to the recent Microsoft Update conflicts).

I spend a lot of time on the computer, surfing, e-mail, the odd download. I run XP Home, currently on Sympatico High Speed, but switching to Cogeco Cable next month. I'm not an advanced user, but I believe I know the basics.

Should I decide based on user rank, or is there a program best for me?


According to MGs site, in rank, from highest to lowest;

Outpost (scored 4.44)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Outpost_Firewall_Free_d1056.html

Comodo (scored 4.33)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Comodo_Personal_Firewall_d5033.html

PC Tools (scored 3.93)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/PC_Tools_Firewall_Plus_d5470.html

ZoneAlarm (scored 3.43)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/ZoneAlarm_Free_d388.html

Thank you!

 

I find firewalls to be completely incompatible with my temper. Shame on them! I ended up buying a hardware firewall and installing Comodo Memory Firewall which is an other Comodo product than the one mentioned in the poll. These two can run alongside Windows Firewall and the three of them provides an acceptable level of protection. Not brilliant but acceptable.

I also have ThreatFire as an extra precaution.

 

My apologies, I should've mentioned that at this time an extra expense such as hardware isn't do-able right now, getting ready to move, plus one less valuable item to worry about, losing or damaging during the process, lol.

 

Well, hardware firewalls and routers with the same functions incorporated really are clever things, yes, but they are also a bit overrated.

 

PS: I like the idea about a poll.

 

i use zone alarm with w2k sp4 and never had a problem, so i'm gonna vote za

oh - i have an 8meg line

 

I switched just about a month ago from Zonealarm (which I had for years) to Comodo and must say that I voted for Comodo. Tried also Comodo v 2.4 and although it doesn't have as many features as v3, it's lighter on the resources. Settled finally for v3.
Here's a link to compare both versions.
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html#fw2.4

 

I depend on my router, it hasn't failed yet. I've been known to go to infected sites, but that's my fault.

 

I'm with Bill on this.
Router and Vista Firewall. Been to bad sites... no infections

 

No mention of Online Armor http://www.majorgeeks.com/Online_Armor_Free_d4872.html It has a MG rating higher than all those listed in the poll at 4.81. I run this on a few PCs at work and it's awesome. I also like Dynamic Security Agent (DSA) http://www.privacyware.com/dynamic_security_agent.html

[dlb]

 

That skin color on Online Armor's GUI is painfully awful. It's unbearable to have to install such ugliness on ones computer. I couldn't do it.

 

That should have been: skin coloured GUI skin. :-D

 

Have a look at chas's advice about firewalls

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44525

They are listed in an order of best to worst based upon leaktesting.

He's the expert at this so i go by his advice.
You will notice the one dlb mentioned comes out top.

 

Is it known when this leak-test was done and who made it? Can we see it somewhere and study what qualitative and quantitative research methods and criteria the test used?

 

The list is here, click on report for more info http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php

 

Thanks a million, wildwolf220. :-D

 

Comodo works great for me.

 

We are all well aware of your views about comodo Mark.
But the amount of threads here from members who have had problems with it, proves it's not for everyone.

 

I`ve used Comodo and Zonealarm in the past.After nuisanse problems with both at one time or another i just use Windows built in firewall----no nags about what programs to allow/disallow and simple to use.I`ve tested it at several firewall test sites and my pc comes up "stealthed" everytime.That`s good enough for me.

 

Comodo produces 2 free firewalls. In my experience the free Comodo Memory Firewall will also be quiet. Unlike it's bigbrother the free Comodo Firewall Pro.

You can benefit from having this other and lesser known Comodo product installed. It will support Windows Firewall. This link has more about all the products and this here is about the Comodo Memory Firewall.

 

RE: Comodo
Hi, yeppers, that'd be me, lol. I tried the Comodo Firewall, but found it beyond my knowledge and comfort. I've decided to stay with ZoneAlarm for the time being. This brings me another question........

I'm switching ISPs in a month. From Sympatico Highspeed to Cogeco Cable Highspeed. Cogeco offers their own internet security. Would it be ok to use their security, turn on my XP security, and drop ZoneAlarm?

Cogeco Highspeed Security
http://www.cogeco.ca/en/security_products_info_o.html

 

Yes. F-Secure is excellent. What have you besides the freeware version of ZoneAlarm?

 

PCTools is the only third party firewall left that I can almost stomache.

Can't stand comodo.

Can't stand zonealarm.

Sygate was awesome till it stopped being free.

These days; its all about the vista firewall, clamwin av, SPI hardware firewall, and thats about it.

 

My Tools

ZoneAlarm FireWall
AVG AntiVirus
AdAware
Windows Defender
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
SpywareBlaster
CCleaner

When I switch to Cogeco with their own security, can I remove any more of my programs and rely on Cogeco, instead of having so much possibly resulting in the computer lagging?

 

It's all freware versions, I take it? You have no realtime protection against spyware besides Windows Defender? You will definitely be better of with F-Secure, then. Not much to discuss there. :-D

 

lmao!
So be it!
lol
:-D

(Yes, all freeware)

Until I get switched over to Cogeco, what do you recommend for "realtime protection against spyware"?

 

The reports I've seen about ClamWin Free Antivirus did not leave the impression that is was worth much. But perhaps it improved?

 

Its not for the average user.

No realtime protection.

 

Go for a free trial of a good product. Plenty out there. I help you Google for suggestions...

 

Bullguard here has that Outpost firewall that Majorgeek's admin liked. And BitDefender for the rest. 2 months free trial. Can't beat the price! :-D

 

You can put it inside Spyware Terminator and enhance it's performance. But I'm not sure that's good enough for the average user. And Spyware Terminator will stick up a few "business card" messages in the lower right corner of the screen now and then.

 

I certainly don't recommend this setup to anyone, but for advanced users...its not so bad.

Last virus I had was Windows 95. Last piece of malware was Windows XP, and the malware itself was so old it was no longer functional

So I feel comfortable. The speed increase is incredible.

 

I use Comodo but like stated not for everyone, works for me...

 

Well, I'm not that lucky. I've been attacked during a download from an official Microsoft page, got dirt from Trend Micro's site when it was hacked, had malicious codes installed that jumped of the sites of a fine, "old" and respectable newspaper and much more. Not to have come across a malware corrupted download is just pure coincidence. Sooner or later that will happen to Majorgeeks admin also.

 

I have followed Chas's forum and advise since 2005 and not seen hide nor hair of any malware, just false positives. If you read Tim's "How to Surf Safe" and Chas's advise, malware is a thing of the past - once you understand it. It really works! The guides are really good here, just have take the time to read and understand them IMO and they're written at user level, so easy.

 

Oooops!, will you try Bullguard or shall we look at more options? We can easily do that. But Bullguard will serve you well until you get F-Secure...

 

I've been on some pretty ruthless sites. Clean as a whistle here.

A good chunk of malware comes from what people download, more than where they browse.

Its pretty easy to keep yourself safe.

1. Dont open attachments, unless you know what it is. If unsure, forward it to webmail, that has a virus scanner, such as hotmail.
2. Dont download what you won't use or need. If you do, go somewhere safe, like here.
3. Learn enough about Operating Systems to recognize a suspicious file. Learn enough to recognize a false positive.
4. Learn about the registry (see number 3). Learn where files load. Learn how to check whats running, and learn how to watch out for warning signs, like performance loss.
5. For you IE7 users in Vista, leave UAC enabled. It is your first line of defense when Antivirus fails. Protected Mode sandboxes IE. Enable DEP in advanced options. If you need to know how, let me know.
6. Using firefox is a fine way to avoid activeX issues. Use sandboxie to sandbox it for those sites that aren't so kosher.
7. Don't run as an administrator. This one is a no brainer.
8. Check your running processes every now and again. Don't recognize one? Start doing some research.
9. Don't go to pr0n sites. If you are a deviant, check step number 5 and 6.
10. Stay off P2P networks. We all know what you are doing with uTorrent. No point in pretending its legit.
11. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL YOUR SECURITY UPDATES.

This list doesn't even include antivirus and firewalls, and will go far to protect you.

Coupled with an antivirus and a decent firewall (optional imo), you are WELL protected. I've done other things, such as spoof my MAC address, but that was more because I was bored than anything else.

 

I cover more than 90 percent of those. Skipped a little on purpose. :-D But have additional measures as well...

 

Hi!
I got a little confused, sorry, lol, do I download both Bullguard and BitDefender?
You mentioned Outpost within Bullguard, I think I tried Outpost as well and didn't take a liking to it, I don't remember now, I'm losing track of what I've tried, lol.

 

No, no. Outpost and BitDefender is inside Bullguard. Mighty fine product. :-D All-in-one. :cool Outpost is not freeware. And as a stand-alone Outpost only offers a 30-day trial.

Bullguard has: Realtime protection, Antivirus, Antispyware, Firewall, Spamfilter, Backup & Support 24/7 for 2 months - for free.

 

Windows Live OneCare offers 90 days of free trial of their security software but I strongly advice against it. It's performance is just barely average.

 

Correction: there is a free version of Outpost...

 

I am using ZoneAlarm for a long time and I never have problems with him and with hackers as well . Sometimes is a little arduous .

 

While not trying to confuse you more Oooops

i would recommend Comodo BOClean Anti-Malware

It runs continuously as a background application preventing malware from infecting your system.

 

BOClean is just additional safety software. It is not enough...

 

Oooopsy, duh! lmao
:-D
I downloaded Bullguard, but before I install it, I'd just like to clarify........
This Bullguard has everything in it, so I should uninstall both my ZoneAlarm Firewall and my AVG Antivirus, right?

Then, once I get switched over to Cogeco Cable, I don't need to install a Firewall or Antivirus because Cogeco already offers that through their cable service, right?

I spend a fair amount of time on the computer, mainly surfing, e-mails, the odd download.

Thank ya muchly!

lmao, oh my goodness, you have no idea! lol

Thank you! I will try this program out as well. Just to clarify, do I keep these programs that are already on my computer?
AdAware
Windows Defender
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
SpywareBlaster

Thanks a million everyone!
You guys are the bestest!
:wave

 

Yes, it is an all-in-one security program - so uninstall ZoneAlarm Firewall and AVG Antivirus. Yes, the F-Secure program that your new provider offers is also an all-in-one. So Bullguard's free trial will just be a go-between. And yes, you can keep these:

Ad-Aware 2008
Windows Defender
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
SpywareBlaster

Also install Secunia PSI RC3. Give it a run and you'll see why it is a fine security extra. Link here.

You really don't need BOClean but OK. Never say never. Perhaps it will catch a thing or two. It is also a fine extra.

 

Thank you ever so much for your patience, thoroughness and making sure that I'm clear about what's what, lol.

I will begin on this tomorrow.
Thanks again everybody for your help, learning lots!

 

I was recommending it as an addition to this list.

Ad-Aware 2008
Windows Defender
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
SpywareBlaster