New to Avast - would like to use free version on Win 7 and use another firewall option. Thanks for insight.
Online Armor would be great
But if you are worriend about system resources then you can use Private Firewall
See the different firewall ratings here
http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php
Following may of some basic help/info on selecting one of the free firewalls …
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-firewall.htm
Using Win XP Pro so cannot offer any personal recommendations for Win 7.
But agree with Chris Thomas on Online Armor – using on three different Win Pro systems.
Can’t wait til I get the multitude of responses to this but,I only have the firewall that comes with XP,what is your opinion of it.
XP firewall is not good enough because it does not offer outbound protection.
See:
Malwarebytes Developer Interview
I interviewed Bruce Harrison who is a developer at Malwarebytes – the company who created Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware. We discussed computer security for the home user. Below is the list of questions from the interviewhttp://www.besttechie.net/2008/08/20/malwarebytes-developer-interview <== 2 excellent 10 minute videos
That’s the reason why I use MBAM Full.
Fire,
For what it is the Windows firewall OK for inbound protection, but as CharleyO noted, it has no outbound monitoring/protection.
Most of current DSL/Cable modems have some type of hardware firewall that will provide good inbound protection prior to reaching your PC.
Besides having outbound monitoring/protection for any malware activity, also handy in blocking legit aps you may have trying to “phone home”; e.g., I have WMP setup so it can make outside connections when “I” allow it.
Actually most of the newer firewalls have some type of HIPS and/or program guard to catch any non-allowed/malware type activity.
No one application (firewall, AV, AS, etc.) will provide 100% protection, hence the best one can do is to use some form of the “layered approach” e.g.:
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8463