Good Firewall?

dnoch · 08-13-2005, 09:51 AM

Hi
I am running XP and have the windows firewall, but I have been told that it is not all that effective. Is the windows XP firewall efective, and if not, can you suggest any good free firewalls?
All responses are much appreciated

dnoch · 08-14-2005, 04:28 AM

Please will someone respond. I rather need to know as a matter of slight urgency (I really don't feel like handing over the control of my computer to some hacker)

Piney · 08-14-2005, 12:56 PM

The XP firewall does not do a complete job of protecting your computer.

There are several free firewall programs and anti-virus programs available.

Free Antivirus Programs
http://www.grisoft.com offers the popular AVG
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html is the site of Avast! AV scanner

Free Firewall Programs
http://www.zonelabs.com ZoneAlarm firewall
http://www.kerio.com Kerio firewall
http://www.sygate.com Sygate firewall

dnoch · 08-14-2005, 01:51 PM

Thanks a lot. You just saved me from future atacks

mar6 · 08-14-2005, 03:10 PM

Outpost firewall free is also very good program.

http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php

dnoch · 08-14-2005, 03:52 PM

Thanx to both of you. I have decided to go with Zone Alarm firewall

GuitarFreak1857 · 08-14-2005, 04:14 PM

did you get zone alarm with antivirus because if you did that isnt free its only a trial. just buy it, its only 30 bucks and its well worth it zonealarm does a great job. Piney your right about windows firewall it isnt effective at all, BTW dnoch do you have Home or Professional and if you do do you have SP2?

Piney · 08-14-2005, 04:40 PM

dnoch just make sure when you setup your Zone Alarm firewall to turn OFF the Windows Firewall.

mar6 I've heard about Outpost but have no experience with it at all. I will add it to my list of things to check out. Thanks!

For a sense of comfort (but NOT complacency) a good AV, a good FW, and these scanning programs: Adaware SE and Spybot Search and Destroy.....everything fully updated....really are necessary.

Watch 'where' you go, watch 'what' you click on and scan scan scan *grin*

Happy Computing

Piney

dnoch · 08-15-2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GuitarFreak1857
did you get zone alarm with antivirus because if you did that isnt free its only a trial. just buy it, its only 30 bucks and its well worth it zonealarm does a great job.

I got the zone alarm free edition, but at any time, I can upgrade to pro (which I probably will).

Quote:

Originally posted by GuitarFreak1857
BTW dnoch do you have Home or Professional and if you do do you have SP2?

I have home edition. I ordered the SP2 disk, but before Iinstalled it, I was told that it slowed the computer down and should not be installed unless I really need the extra security.

Quote:

Originally posted by Piney
dnoch just make sure when you setup your Zone Alarm firewall to turn OFF the Windows Firewall.

Is that essential?

Piney · 08-15-2005, 01:59 PM

Yes, it really is necessary that you turn off the windows firewall as running two firewalls creates problems with protecting you.

As far as SP2 goes.......couple of thoughts here. I had a heck of a time clearing up a computer after the SP2 install (from Windows update) corrupted the client's installed firewall. I do know that in order to get updates to many MS products ( Office, Messenger etc) it is necessary to have SP2 first.

Those who did the SP2 install really don't have too many complaints about slowing, at least that I have read. The download is HUGE, which may be what people mean by complaints of slowing. If they have a small amount of space left after the install, then there will certainly be some minor problems.

My suggestion to you is IF you decide you want SP2, either install before you install your firewall, or disable the firewall while installing SP2. Enable the firewall when done to allow your firewall recognize the new install.

If you are not covered now with an antivirus, get one of the free ones I posted above. AVG will monitor your email as well as your computer.

Microsoft is trying to make things safe for people who, at best, know how to use Google to search, but have no clue about not clicking on those enticing emails to win that bundle of gold stored in an offshore bank.

Keep safe out there

Piney

08-13-2005, 09:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
dnoch Ultra Techie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 656	Good Firewall? Hi I am running XP and have the windows firewall, but I have been told that it is not all that effective. Is the windows XP firewall efective, and if not, can you suggest any good free firewalls? All responses are much appreciated

08-14-2005, 12:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Piney True Techie Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 103	The XP firewall does not do a complete job of protecting your computer. There are several free firewall programs and anti-virus programs available. Free Antivirus Programs http://www.grisoft.com offers the popular AVG http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html is the site of Avast! AV scanner Free Firewall Programs http://www.zonelabs.com ZoneAlarm firewall http://www.kerio.com Kerio firewall http://www.sygate.com Sygate firewall __________________ Piney I was well trained at http://forum.malwareremoval.com Infected? Report it! <<

08-14-2005, 04:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
GuitarFreak1857 Monster Techie Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,809	did you get zone alarm with antivirus because if you did that isnt free its only a trial. just buy it, its only 30 bucks and its well worth it zonealarm does a great job. Piney your right about windows firewall it isnt effective at all, BTW dnoch do you have Home or Professional and if you do do you have SP2? __________________ My Desktop Abit IP35-E Intel Core2 Duo E8400 (Thermalright Ultra-120) Mushkin 2x2GB DDR800 RAM eVGA GeForce 8800GTS Creative X-Fi Gamer Edition Western Digital Caviar 250GB 7,200RPM Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7,200RPM OCZ 720W ModStream Lian Li PC-7A Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

08-14-2005, 04:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Piney True Techie Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 103	dnoch just make sure when you setup your Zone Alarm firewall to turn OFF the Windows Firewall. mar6 I've heard about Outpost but have no experience with it at all. I will add it to my list of things to check out. Thanks! For a sense of comfort (but NOT complacency) a good AV, a good FW, and these scanning programs: Adaware SE and Spybot Search and Destroy.....everything fully updated....really are necessary. Watch 'where' you go, watch 'what' you click on and scan scan scan grin Happy Computing Piney __________________ Piney I was well trained at http://forum.malwareremoval.com Infected? Report it! <<

08-15-2005, 01:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Piney True Techie Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 103	Yes, it really is necessary that you turn off the windows firewall as running two firewalls creates problems with protecting you. As far as SP2 goes.......couple of thoughts here. I had a heck of a time clearing up a computer after the SP2 install (from Windows update) corrupted the client's installed firewall. I do know that in order to get updates to many MS products ( Office, Messenger etc) it is necessary to have SP2 first. Those who did the SP2 install really don't have too many complaints about slowing, at least that I have read. The download is HUGE, which may be what people mean by complaints of slowing. If they have a small amount of space left after the install, then there will certainly be some minor problems. My suggestion to you is IF you decide you want SP2, either install before you install your firewall, or disable the firewall while installing SP2. Enable the firewall when done to allow your firewall recognize the new install. If you are not covered now with an antivirus, get one of the free ones I posted above. AVG will monitor your email as well as your computer. Microsoft is trying to make things safe for people who, at best, know how to use Google to search, but have no clue about not clicking on those enticing emails to win that bundle of gold stored in an offshore bank. Keep safe out there Piney __________________ Piney I was well trained at http://forum.malwareremoval.com Infected? Report it! <<

08-14-2005, 04:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
dnoch Ultra Techie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 656	Please will someone respond. I rather need to know as a matter of slight urgency (I really don't feel like handing over the control of my computer to some hacker)

08-14-2005, 01:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
dnoch Ultra Techie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 656	Thanks a lot. You just saved me from future atacks

08-14-2005, 03:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
mar6 Newb Techie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36	Outpost firewall free is also very good program. http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php

08-14-2005, 03:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
dnoch Ultra Techie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 656	Thanx to both of you. I have decided to go with Zone Alarm firewall

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