Recommend a Firewall

First: No ZoneAlarm. Don't ask, I just don't want it. So, don't recommend it.

Idealy, what I'm looking for isn't probably considered a firewall at all. I simply want a program that allows me to decide which programs can, and cannot connect to the internet.

However, if a program with ONLY this feature does not exsist, another set of goals for this program would be:
- Allows portforwarding to remain intact.
- Allows me to decide which programs can connect to the internet
- Free.

Thanks in advance.

 

windows firewall in XP SP2? Norton internet security also does it but u need to pay for that.

 

Windows Firewall is not good enough to be called a firewall. Personally ZA is the best but if you do not like it then I would recommend the following:

Sygate Personal Firewall Free <--- with the Symantec acquistion of Sygate, I do not know how much longer this will be around or be free!

Kerio Personal Firewall

Outpost Firewall Free

 

2nd vote for Kerio. simple, has all the features you'd want, easy to use. I keep it in advanced mode so I can personally allow or deny many actions on my computer-- not limited to internet connections, however the simple mode works well too. and FREE

 

I don't use anything exclusive and prefer to manage with something simple.
So I'd recommend something from this list:

Windows XP SP2 firewall
Outpost Firewall
Privacy Expert Suite Firewall

 

I have used Sygate for yrs now,for some reason Zone Alarm would slow my system down.

 

I like sygate, and zone alarm never really liked kerio.
since you don't like zone alarm I vote for sygate, but I heard that norton took them over, so I don't know if they made any changes to it or not?

 

I have to vote for sygate for the same reasons...

 

The latest version of ZoneAlarm shouldn't eat resources.

Agnitum Outpost is excellent and highly recommended.

However, whichever one you decide on, they are (ZA, Agnitum and Sygate) all very good and offer great protection.

 

My Norton PF is coming up for renewal and I was just wondering how the above mentioned free firewalls perform compared to NPF? Most of the reviews I've read seem to be talking about the PAID versions of ZA and Outpost, but how do the FREE versions compare with the PAID version of NPF?

 

I think the free version of ZoneAlarm is better than Norton's.

Norton's Firewall is very good, but like all Norton products it uses a lot of resources and files.

ZoneAlarm isn't perfect and has had it's share of problems, but on balance I still find it better than Nortons, however they are both excellent and secure products.

Agnitum is excellent, but I think ZoneAlarm is easier to set up and the best of them all.

As long as you have other security tools like AntiVirus and Spyware programs, then you are well protected.


If you are going to pay, my choice would be ZoneAlarm Security Suite, which bundles a Spwyare and Antivirus scanner, firewall, email protection, IM protection, Privacy and Parental Control and an ID lock all in the one unit.


BTW, HERE is a review site which recommends ZoneAlarm free version.

 

I'm a freebie-zone alarm fan

 

Yes but that's only because you're a tight-arse. j/k

 

As for a free firewall Sygate should be fine for those options you want too be controlled.

For a paid suite I would wait for the release of KIS 2006. Its firewall has improved alot and it has added lots of different features to its firewall and antivirus(as I have tested the beta). Or you can purchase the the KIS 2005 suite and get a free upgrade to the 2006...

 

Kerio Personal Firewall is soon to be discountined.

 

Doesnt mean people should not use it, as Kerio is one of the best firewalls today to choose from....Most people say that it is bug free right now at 4.2.2 ...(not sure though)

 

What happens when a hole is found? No patch will be issued, and it would be foolish to continue to use it.

 

Would ZA free work OK on xp sp2? I seem to remember reading somewhere that xp doesn't recognize ZA or something, but what does that really mean anyway?
Works or not?

 

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conte...sp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en&lid=ts_xpsp2faq#1

 

Discontinued, as in no longer developed, no longer available no longer supported. When making decisions on what firewall to install, I would want all the pertinent facts.

My point exactly.

 

I noticed you people havent mention firewall that you pay for like norton or kaspersky ..
do you think that free firewall is better than a firewall that you pay for ?
also .. how are they on system resources ? (RAM)

 

sygate personal firewall is pretty good and it's free.

 

but how is to to config. and use ?
there lots of firewalls that are too messy and complicated ..

 

Then a "hole" is found, but most likely that wont happen for a long time still. Otherwise Kerio is a great choice too use until the deadline or after...

 

That is because the original poster specifically asked for a FREE firewall.

 

sygate is not very hard to use there is a setting in options to hide notification messages those are messages that it popsup with when you have sygate block your internet), and after you first install sygate and you try to use your browser (or any other program) it will ask you if you want to allow it to access the internet.

 

How did you come to that conclusion?