I want to install avast! free edition to replace that terrible Norton software that I got landed with. What is the best free firewall/antispyware/antimalware/etc. that can be installed without causing any interference? I have read a lot of good things about Comodo, but it appears that Comodo is no longer just a firewall but also an antivirus, which would interfere with avast! correct?
Bottom Line: Looking for the best free protection solution that the web has to offer. So far I am partial to avast! because I have seen it at work on other computers.
Sorry but that isn’t good advice; a router unless it specifically states it doesn’t have a firewall so no outbound protection and avast isn’t a firewall either, the network shield provides limited protection against exploit ports and known malicious sites.
Any malware that manages to get past your defences (just browse the viruses and worms forum) will have almost free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential. Firewalls will automatically allow traffic requests back into the system if the request originated from the system.
Just use Comodo Firewall with Defense +. Put it in training mode and launch all your application that you use/require internet connection. It will learn. Then switch off training mode and put it into safe mode. By then, Comodo will be pretty silent.
I have recently installed avast! Free and also use Malwarebytes Antimalware (i.e. MBAM) on my Dell Insprion 8600 notebook running Windows XP SP3 (6 years old now but still running strong …and I can’t afford a new machine right now).
I have yet to install a firewall but reading through the forums and this thread my initial intention of Comodo may work (I just need to be aware of how to properly set it up). I am aware that I should only install the Comodo Firewall (not the entire Security Suite).
If Comodo causes too many headaches I’ll go to Online Armor Free.
Oh, and just an update the link you gave for Comodo Firewall, you would be better off giving this one:
I use the comodo firewall set to firewall with optimum proactive defence & don’t use the secure dns server or geek buddy. I hardly have any intrusive activity.
This clip from youtube will show what’s on offer before you install. You can make your mind up what’s best for you.
I have to go along with elecboy, for new users anyway. A router and a suite-firewall or windows firewall is fine, unless the user wants to “learn” about “correctly” setting-up and using 3rd party firewalls. I have helped too many new users fix their machines just by telling them not to use a 3rd party firewall and most problems disappear (like magic).lol
I just about fell asleep with that very dragged out review ;D did you happen to notice what he has running on his system ? MSE, AVG,THREATFIRE and COMODO and god knows what else that couldn’t be seen :o
Ultimately a suite firewall is no different to an av with a third party firewall and as DavidR mentioned with a router you still have no outbound protection so if you return to reply 1 by Tech he has named a few good firewalls.
I have Comodo Internet Security free with Defense+ but obviously without their antivirus. I haven’t been with Avast for long but so far it works just as well with Comodo as Avira did, and that was very well, and Comodo is nowhere near as complex as some people would have you believe. I’m anything but an expert (hence my username) but I find it quite straightforward. I used Gizmo Freeware’s set up instructions and I get very few pop ups, occasionally for a new program it doesn’t recognize but that’s about it.
I just about fell asleep with that very dragged out review did you happen to notice what he has running on his system ? MSE, AVG,THREATFIRE and COMODO and god knows what else that couldn’t be seen
Logged
If you drag the slider & skip the boring bits, it is a bit dragged out.
His also got yahoo messenger,I thought that was for kids.
Someone needs to tell him about Skype.
I previously had recommended the PC Tools Firewall Plus but I have found that it doesn’t work right with Windows 7 64 bit. It wasn’t even creating rules for some of my apps and after reporting it at their forums was told that parts of it were not fully 64 bit compatible as yet. I have returned to using the Windows Firewall for now. The Windows 7 flavor is the best one yet.
