If you are using Avast Internet Security or Avast Premier and you want HIPS
set the firewall to “public” and that will provide you with HIPS. For HIPS you need a firewall.
From the avast FAQ…
Quote…
avast! Hardened Mode brings an option for inexperienced users to further lock down the security of the computer in the avast! 2014 settings. If enabled, users can select between “Aggressive” mode which doesn’t allow any non-whitelisted files in avast! file reputation database (e.g. unknown files) to run, and “Moderate” mode which allows any other files except those with low reputation in avast! file reputation database (e.g. low prevalence files) to run.
Yes to a point. HIPS is technically a separate part of a firewall which needs to be activated by the user.
It depends on who you talk to, some say you need HIPS while others say you don’t. Some, myself included,
run third party firewalls with HIPS enabled. If you have a “hardware” router you have HIPS built in.
With the evolution of evo-gen and dyna-gen personally I don’t see avast doing this in the near future.
If your computer has “hardware virtualization” technology the the addition of “ng” will enhance your protection.
And thus reduce the need for a “roll-back” to practically nothing.
Always install an antivirus first. Please keep in mind there is an ongoing debate as to whether
a third party firewall is necessary. If you are relatively new at using a computer you may want
to stick with the Windows Firewall just set it to “public”. If you know what you are doing then
you may want to check out third party firewalls. Third party firewalls are more complex and
need some understanding as to what to allow and what not to allow. They aren’t exactly set
them and forget them. Third party firewalls will ask you to “allow” or “block” while installing or
uninstalling certain software. They are also more complex while setting them up.
If you do decide to install Comodo Firewall follow the instruction I linked to above.
Use a lot of caution to “avoid” installing the Comodo Antivirus.