Free firewalls for Vista 32 but....

..it has to be light and simple as I'm giving my sister a Toshiba Satellite L305-S5955.2GB Mem160gb HDD for an early Xmas gift and she is totally green as far as computers and how they function. Her son can help on occasion as he is computer savvy (some whatrolleyes) I just won't her to be safe while online looking for her recipes:yum
Thanks
BT

 

no clue about Vista, but XP's so-called firewall does next to nothing to keep you really safe. if she never, ever, ever goes anywhere, except to get recipes (like recipezaar or allrecipes), and doesn't get any spam, then she MIGHT be okay.

as financially challenged as i am, the one thing i didn't skimp on was a security suite. my KIS 2010 was $59.95 for a 1 year license for 1 pc (Kaspersky's site only has them for 3 pc's) through DigitalRiver/element5. can renew at a discount, too.

suite includes AV/FW and a number of anti-malware features. if she or you can't afford much, there are probably other alternatives, i just don't know what they are.

all i do know is that any MS firewall won't give much protection, even for someone who doesn't "do" anything.

 

PC Tools Firewall Plus is an easy and great free 2way firewall. Get it here: http://www.majorgeeks.com/PC_Tools_Firewall_Plus_d5470.html

I forgot if it has a toolbar built in when installing it. If so, just untick the box.

 

Have an XP desktop and use Sygate FW for now but thinking of changing as it is really beginning to bug me with it's little idiocies. Windows fire wall is great for people with DUN where hyjackers/malware don't have time to wait.:-D
Hey thanks anyway Cake.
BT

 

Vista's firewall is a true 2 way firewall, and is about as light weight as you can get.

 

I've been installing ZoneAlarm on computers belonging to really ignorant or techno-phobic friends of mine, and they all love it. Disturbingly easy to use, and it is one of the more competent firewalls out there. Obviously, if you install it on a Vista PC, make sure you disable Vista's firewall before installing.

You can get the ZoneAlarm free firewall either directly from them or from the MG list of favorite downloads.

 

""PC Tools Firewall Plus is an easy and great free 2way firewall.""

i would stay away from this firewall i tested it for leaks the other week and it failed !

 

For DomLuc http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1219

Source: http://dotnetwizard.net/vista-stuff/enable-2-way-windows-vista-firewall-with-advanced-security/

 

Thanks Mimsy. The laptop came cleaned and some what reconfigured from Best Buy Geek squad . I t was on sale and I originally bought it for my best friend and she only got to watch an old favorite movie on it before she passed. They put Norton 360 on there so I'm going to have to get it out before I do anything. Would it say vista firewall or Windows firewall? I'm not all that when it comes to the firewalls. This one says "windows." Is ZA pretty light?

BT

 

Personally I would recommend Comodo:http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php


The firewall is included with the internet security suite, but you have the option of installing just the firewall. This is set during installation.

 

"They put Norton 360 on there so I'm going to have to get it out before I do anything"

be sure to use Norton removal tool
http://majorgeeks.com/Norton_Removal_Tool_d4749.html

 

Ok as I said it has to be "Simple" IF in talking "two way Firewalls"that you mean like Sygate Firewall,which I have on my XP, Then NO to them. She is green in her late late 60's but, not ignorant.I'm not going to be there but for a couple of days and half of that will be spent with the family. So If I have to teach her anything about the computer(which I tried the last visit of 3days and only one of those days did we get a serious 3 hrs to play with my lap)I want her to understand the severity of not being secure on the web.Which means why and what the security programs do. In turn that is not going to leave me enough time to explain the basics of how to operate the computer.Hell it took me several years to really get the meaning and to get where I am now. So if you can go with this info on an Easy ,but not lazy firewall. Mimsy suggested ZA. Whats your opinion on that FW? And I need to remove the Norton 360 off.(Friggin Geek Squad)once i remove it I going to put AVG9 for the av of course SuperAntispyware, SpyBot S&D, and MalwareBytes. I have heard that Norton's nastily hard to remove.Is this true? and where is the removal program,please?

Thanks
BT
Thanks samtal. Iguess I was still typing when you posted. Thanks

 

To remove Norton 360 etc.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Norton_Removal_Tool_d4749.html
Reboot and run again.
The Vista FW is a lot better than XP's & if behind a secured wired router perfect. ZA and CIS need a bit of training.
Cheers...

 

I'm not sure what vista FW looks like and I haven't found anything suggesting that it's on the lap. As I said bought it from Best Buy and their Geek Squad some what cleaned it put the norton on there.

BT

 

BT windows FW's are not visually proactive like a 3rd party FW. Look In control panel or security centre, if it's running that's it. Sure you can configure exceptions etc when prompted.
Cheers..

 

But so do all good firewalls, when you get right down to it. They need to learn what's okay to let in and out. What I do when I install ZoneAlarm for my friends is I then run all program that they would run, so the firewall gets to know them, and them explain to them that new software will get the same treatment and how to handle that.

I'm a big believer in fishing lessons.

 

That sounds like what I'm looking for. I'll give it a try and see how it works then get back with you.
Thanks

BT
just did the removal and it only took 3-5 minutes. Is that about right?

 

OK! ZA is not downloading all the way. It gets to the end and comes up with an "An error occured installing package. Windows Install Return '1636' " got any clues? I have no FW so....:cry

Thanks
BT

 

Where's it gone BT?
http://www.vista4beginners.com/Windows-Firewall

 

http://forums.zonealarm.com/showthread.php?t=71934
Check post#7
Cheers..

 

look please!

I have cleaned out the nroton,disabled my AVG and turned off the FW that is on the lap. So why do I get that message?
BT

 

BT, Can you click onto the Security settings, FW settings, and is there a box that says, I am running a FW that I am monitoring? " and therefore, turn off windows FW? :confused If you turn off windows FW, yes, the error is there, but you should be able to tell security center, that you are using a 3rd party FW, one that YOU are monitoring, or else have windows monitor it... Just a stab, here..

 

before I install ZA? I thought you had disable the security programs before installing the fire wall?
BT

 

Try it both ways. I use XP, and not Vista, but Vista must be different.. You have to tell the security center that you have a 3rd party FW, so it doesn't alert you to the fact that Windows FW is disabled.

 

OK I'll give it a try.Thanks
BT

 

It depends on how you removed it.
I bought a computer with a trial of Norton Internet Security. I never activated it BUT simply removing it using add/remove did not clean everything out. It was still loading things at startup, I guess.

I tried installing ZA and my computer ended up in a reboot loop. That's when I discovered the problem. I ended up doing a factory restore.

Then the next time I wanted it removed, I used Revo Uninstaller instead.
http://majorgeeks.com/Revo_Uninstaller_d5706.html

There are 4 ways to remove something using Revo. I let it on the default, the 3rd setting, moderate. It first uses the programs own uninstaller but then it does an additional step and picks the bits and pieces out of the registry.
That's where it gets tricky. You have to expand all the keys it finds and only select the items in bold because they belong to the program in question. Do not simply select everything or you will cripple your registry. It isn't hard to pick out the bold items, you just have to be aware of selecting only those things for removal.

 

BT, Plodr is so right! I removed Trend Micro with Revo, and used the third setting also, went thru the steps, and before I ended it, I clicked back, and it rechecked for any other issues, and found a few. YES, they will all be in BIG BOLD BLACK LETTERS, with a + in front of each. I clicked the + and that expands that file.. Not hard to do at all. Just be sure to check all the BOLD BLACK ITEMS and that should do it. It was fast for me too, I had to do a double take, but it was all gone.

REVO does a fantastic job, but Plodr also has a good question, how did you remove Norton? If it was thru Add & Remove Program, you may have to manually search for anything left over.. now, in Vista... Maybe try just searching for anything that has NORTON in it, and be sure to click show hiden files first, then when you are done, you must go back and click hide them when you are done looking for Norton files, and or anything Norton.

Do you have a recovery disc for Norton? Maybe you can pop that in, reload it, THEN use Revo to remove it all.. It will.

 

I used Norton to remove norton and did it twice as was told and read.I will try and search for them.

 

BT, I think that is a good idea. Search for anything with NORTON in it, and delete it.. I don't think REVO will help you with Norton being out of add & remove programs, it will not recognize the reg... Maybe, if you have REVO, do a registry check for INVALID registries! That might save you some time there. Do you have Revo? I am sure you can download that to a flash or CD, and install it, and do a reg. check.. The Norton should show up as invalid, because you removed the program.... I'd still bet, you have some reg. keys there, stopping you...

 

OK I found a"Norton 360 Patch(vistaXP)(english n spanish)It's easier to do attachments so here it goes.
should I try to delete them?
When I click on mannual


http://i47.tinypic.com/bg2rll.jpg

 

I can't read it BT, but yes, if it is Norton, delete it. You are not using it, so remove it. Looks like, from what I can see of it, leftover residue...

 

ok done now I will try to install ZA

 

Could you run the Norton removal tool in safe mode as well

 

:-oi didn't think of that. should I try to run it in safe mode even though I can't find anymore on the pc?

BTW TC still got the error

 

Yeah, go for it. as long as you have the tool, go for it, as there has to be more than just one entry left.. When I removed my TM, I had used it, but there was 3000 entries that were all TM .... Yours won''t have that many, as it hasn't been activated, but there has to be some left in there

 

I don't know about not being activated. Remember I bought it from Best Buy and their "geeks" did a partial cleaning and some testing on it before putting it on the shelf. all I know is it(norton) was put the by Toshiba and when I turned it on for my other half to play cards on(long story for another timerolleyes) I noticed a warning kept coming up about it being expired.

 

OK, now that is a different story... Being expired, meaning they activated it. But how, without an owner? OK, may want to talk to Plodr then.. If it was activated, there is a LOT of entries there.. Do you have the disc to reinstall it? That may be a good option, if you have it, then REVO it.. Other wise, I would still suggest REVO to do a invalid reg. and unused dlls. Do you have REVO????

Also, what is there to "clean" on a new machine that "hasn't been online"?????

 

,,,,:cry:cry:cryno but what I just Deleted was a program to reinstall. Let me go back and find the undelete program and get it back.:cry:cry

 

Accidental double post!!!!

 

Well, we can go to file lister, and do a list of files on that computer, and see what shows.. This may be a longshot, but it is worth a try... For now, anyway....


http://bamajim.com

On the Left side, click FILE LISTER and download that, and then doubel click it and let it run. It will create a report of all the files on the computer.

 

Ok here's the question now. I've finally(Lord help me if it goes through after this post)got ZA to do a proper install/setup(it's waiting for a reply from me to finish)it is asking if I want it to install the spyware blocker as well. I know only 1 firewall or you get issues but, can I install the blocker and still have the spybot, mbam,and superanti... as well as the ZA blocker or will that cause issues? There I finally asked it:-D
Thanks
BT

 

Ok i've just skimmed through the thread so my apologies if anything i post is redundant.


When uninstalling any security app's it is always good to see if they have a dedicated uninstaller, here is AVG and Nortons [two of the most notorious for bad uninstalls along with McAfee]

http://www.avg.com/us-en/download-tools
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

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Now as for what the computer is being used on the net for, if they are going to visit any site that has 3rd party adverts, then it is just as risky as any site out ther really, so good security is a must.


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Do you have an ubuntu live CD (or any linux cd)?

If your still having troubles downloading, boot into linux and use that to download the installers you need.

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Comodo firewall is very light and quite simple to use, i have it running on a cr@ppy old laptop at the moment, and it is running fine alongside the rather resource heavy Kaspersky AV.

I could have gone lighter and used Avira but i do love Kaspersky AV.

Patriot_3040 - 1.2ghz - 512MB RAM - on a 5yr old 30GB HDD

*************

If you think the lappy could handle it, Kaspersky internet security suite (AV + FW) on the default settings is rocksolid, although in default settings it will make some changes which may need attention, for example it basically nobbles Bit-torrent completely. but it is pretty much hands off security with a default install.

Otherwise Comodo with Avira or possibly the Comodo AV + FW suite is gonna be the lightest but still reliable set-up.




Q

 

First off Thanks for taking the time to look at my post. I do appreciate any help that is offered even though some seem to think the opposit.

1.Thanks> I know that after the fact.:-o now. But hopefully others will see this before they go through what i have:-o
2.Yes I know this and that is what I am try to do now with some help on issues that I'm not sure of.
3.:confused HUH?:confused Where'd that come from:-D No. I have Windows VistaXP
4. ZoneAlarm is only 260KB and I have it waiting to be set up right now. Is Comodo easier to use and protect better than ZA?
4.a. I have AVG and like you to Kaspersky I am to it. had it since my first pc.rolleyes
5.The lappy is for my sister who is green about pc's and what their functions can do. I'll be giving her a mini-mini crash course when she gets it next month for xmas.So as far as Kaspersky I think I'll pass on her's but give it awhirl on mine:-D

BT

 

Hi BT, Let's go back to the beginning here:

You wanted to remove NORTON, so you could install AVG.

Disable Windows FW and install ZA.

So far, have you been able to remove NORTON, and install AVG?

Disable Windows FW and install ZA? BEEP I don't think so.

ZA isn't fully installed yet. I do feel you disabled Windows FW.

Now, if it were me, when ZA asks you

I would say no. Your AVG has a spyware on it.

That way, you are only running one AV, one FW, and one Spyware.

I hope this helps.

 

I wouldn't say ther is any real difference in the security between Zonealarm or Comodo, they are both fine app's.

When it comes to ease of use.... that is a very relative concept, i dont find zonealarm very intuitive, and comodo looks too pretty for my liking really even though i do use it

Zonealarm has plenty of options to play with but only if you want to... it is well set-up in default status.

********************

To go a bit further on TeeCee's point of AVG having a spyware built in...

All AV's pretty much now have it so ther is no need and can cause problems by running extra real-time spyware app's.

Just have an AV & Firewall installed and use Spyware scanners as on-demand scanners as and when needed.


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BTW... Does TeeCee's post sum things up pretty well?


Q

 

Yes kind of, except I was getting errors at the end of the ZA install and wouldn't go any furthur so I thought after Removing and disabling and turning off and it still came up with the same error,that I would check the ZA forum to see if anyone else had that prob.They didn't have that one but it said they had some Issue with Vista and ZA free and were working on it. I then went else where and tried the download of ZA and I am a the installation point that I couldn't get to with MG's download of ZA.and that's were the question of the blocker came in.Now I have that answer I can continue with the rest of the install Correct?
BT
btw Thanks TC I didn't see ypur post until now. I've been searching on ZA.

 

Hi BT, yes, continue with the set-up. It should go fine now, and I think maybe that may have been the issue here. Do keep us posted! We are hanging here by our fingernails!:-D

 

Yeah!Right:-D

 

OK, do tell. Yes, can't ya hear the SCREETCH?:-D

 

OH MAN TC you won't believe this?:cry:cry:cry:cry:cry:cry NO_NO_NO.....
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