Windows Firewall good enough?

Discussion in 'Software' started by frybo30, Jan 23, 2010.

  1. frybo30

    frybo30 Master Sergeant

    This question must have been addressed, but I can't find such a discussion. I'm using Comodo free firewall, but I can't figure out how to disable it temporarily. In my search, I re-learned the fact that my Vista Home Premium came with Windows Firewall, and it made me wonder why I felt I had to add a firewall when I already had one. (Windows Firewall is turned off right now.) Maybe I thought Comodo was better. So now I want to know once and for all: Does Windows Firewall provide adequate protection for Vista users who are responsible and careful on the Internet? Thanks
     
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    I tend to trust it and in Vista and more so Windows 7 its better than that of XP, but its not enabled for outgoing traffic, has some additions, but you need to create rules to block apps from being allowed in the outgoing direction, which is why a software filewall is a good idea. A good write up on how to create rules for Vista FW HERE

    To disable Comodo and I have not used it in a while, open it up and where its say s firewall security level click on that and move the slider to disabled and apply.


    Do you have a router or directly connect to the internet with just a modem? many routers have firewalls built in and they are fine for incoming traffic blocking.

    If you are responsible and careful on the internet then my anser would be yes as that is my setup on my main PC (one using right now) in Windows 7 x64 and using for security only my routers FW and Windows built in FW, with some manual rules I setup for various apps. But their is always that chance of malware infection, so its a personal choice.
     
  3. Solnce

    Solnce Private E-2

    Hi frybo30, i wouldn't use vista anyway, but the firewall should be quite adequate for simple surfing on the web, it is downloading and installing unknown programs that causes problems not simply visiting a site, although you do leave LSO cookies on your pc that are used by major companies to track your preferences (ie:sites where you've been) and so direct their marketing to you etc.

    my suggestion is stick with XP or go directly to windows 7, give vista a big miss, microsoft doesnt have the sales, look at the past media record for your self.

    Solnce
     
  4. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    However if you already have Vista, there is no point in downgrading to XP as the hardware used may not have XP drivers, or can be a pain to find them and why spend more money on a different Windows version when in reality Vista is fine, I've never had issues with it since release, however I do like moving on so have Windows 7 now.

    Cookies are not a problem and while they do for per site track what pages you have looked at they dont identify you personally and dont send you marketing info, only thing they could do is to if you have not deleted your past browsing content, is when you visit a shopping site again say, it could show adverts on items you have looked at in the past.
     
  5. Solnce

    Solnce Private E-2

    Thanks for that Admin, but vista i think is a failed O/S which microsoft admits to, why else would they so quickly release another O/S Um... windows 7? basically every O/S since DOS is a few more lines of code built upon the previous O/S and so on, i bought vista for $25 AUS,window server 2003 $5 AUS, uni price as i got a discount, i do not like vista at all, i found it to be very slow even with 3Gb ram on my old mobo, fresh install and no other hinderances or programs slowing it, must work fine on some systems, good to hear it works fine on your unit. keep in touch, good to know about others opinions around the planet,

    Solnce:)
     
  6. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Sometimes the best firewall is the one between the keyboard and chair.
     
  7. usafveteran

    usafveteran MajorGeek

    Don't know what your problem is there. The laptop I bought in July 2007 with Vista Home Premium runs fine with 2GB. Originally had 1GB and, even then, I wouldn't say it was terribly slow.

    Like Halo, I use Vista's firewall, along with a router.
     
  8. Oldphil

    Oldphil Sergeant

    Excellent!
     
  9. frybo30

    frybo30 Master Sergeant

    I appreciate all the comments/info/advice.

    To Halo, I have a Microsoft M-500 wireless router that must be a million years old because it's a hand-me-down from a grandson/geek. But I have no idea if it has a firewall built in.

    Also, I did the business with outgoing that you suggested and then I couldn't make connections with the Internet. I couldn't see how to allow it under Exceptions. So I changed them back to "allowed" and now I can make connections again. I have disabled Comodo, but haven't removed it.
     
  10. Solnce

    Solnce Private E-2

    frybo30, zonealarm internet secuirty suite disables the windows firewall, but the suite has its own firewall, i have it set to (if ZA fails then windows O/S firewall kicks in) i am quite happy with windows firewall disabled always have back up's you can never have enough back ups, and back up your back ups, simple..!

    uninstall comodo and try AVG its free, heres the link to their site

    http://www.avg.com.au/products/avg-anti-virus-free/?gclid=CMfGrPaNu58CFZAwpAodEWmxEQ

    why pay for security software when you can get it for free and it works perfectly you can choose to pay for full funtion if you want?

    you can also use spybot if you like, which is also free, i wont include the link you can google it
     
  11. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi Frybo

    Stick with Comodo as its a good firewall, but an alternative is PCTools which is one I install on friends and reletitives PCs, and download HERE, but remove/uninstall Comodo first.

    But if you surf safely then the choice is yours in running one or not, I would suggest you run one.

    Sorry should have mentioened firewall rules in Windows are an art form in themselves and only attempt if your confident in what you are doing, which is why a 3rd party one is well worth using.


    But dont see why swaping a firewall in Comodo for AVG an antivirus app would help in a topic on Firewalls.
     
  12. frybo30

    frybo30 Master Sergeant

    Thanks again, Halo. I guess I'll stick with Comodo.

    I didn't want to get into this, but you've been so kind that perhaps you will be able to help. This whole thing began for me when 11 "important" Windows updates failed to install automatically for me. The error code explanation was that most likely a firewall was interferring, so I tried to disable Comodo and had no luck until I posted and you explained how.

    After all this and disabling Comodo, the updates still would not install when I tried doing them manually. So I'm in the same boat as before--except for the info I gained from the answers to my opening post.

    The updates all have to do with MS Office apps, except for one concerning SP1 for Vista.
     
  13. Solnce

    Solnce Private E-2

    AVG have a firewall app thats why, they also have a full internet security suite, same topic, lets be friends not anything else, just coz i'm a newbie doesn't mean i can't contribute, i'm not arrogant, i just want to say what i know of my experiences with pc,s,
    if you really want to know i learnt a hell of a lot about trouble shooting networks,driver issues,hardware and software and i have done the cisco exams (cdu university, thats Charles Darwin University, Darwin, N.T.Australia), not bragging but mostly 100% until they got harder 98%, 95%, 87% and so on, (at least i am honest) i am no I.T messiah, i just have my knowledge and experince to contribute, so thats why i joined to help others, i am good at trouble shooting / repairing / soldering electronics, Pc hardware but my specialty is software issues, thank you mate pleased to meet you :)
     
  14. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Hello and welcome :) We are always looking for knowledgeable people to help out here and it is always much appreciated. You seem to know your stuff but please stick to answering the question at hand.

    For the most part, people are looking for opinions on what they already have or are considering using or are looking for ways to fix problems they are having with existing software.

    Basically, please stay on topic and give facts rather than opinions on the software involved. Otherwise, threads tend to go off in directions that have nothing to do with what the original poster is interested in.

    Thank you.:)
     
  15. Solnce

    Solnce Private E-2

    Have a safe and pleasant night to all countries, from Solnce, Australia
     
  16. usafveteran

    usafveteran MajorGeek

    Can you post a link a free firewall from AVG? I don't they have a free firewall; they have free anti-virus for personal users but not firewall. They do have firewall in a paid version of their products.

    Besides, Comodo is a good firewall.
     
  17. frybo30

    frybo30 Master Sergeant

    I have realized that in my last post, I changed subjects and should not have done so. Therefore, I will start a new thread entitled "Can't install important updates."
     
  18. Solnce

    Solnce Private E-2

    There was an AVG firewall that i used not that long ago, however i apologise because it is now no longer free, the link as is although not free but it was,

    http://free.avg.com/au-en/homepage

    I was not deceivieng anybody, i believed it to be true
     
  19. Solnce

    Solnce Private E-2

    Solnce apologises to anyone who i may have offended, i mean well, i will stick to the topic of the thread in future.

    I look forward to helping those who seek knowledge:-o
     

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