Firewall

I have been using AVG 7.5 Anti Virus with Firewall (paid version) for a couple of years and had no problems with it. When I updated to their new 8.0 version it just messed up everything. I could get no response from their technical support group so I finally unistalled it about a week ago. I then installed Avast and also the free version of Comodo Pro. That firewall is for someone who really knows what they are doing and that’s not me. I’m not sure I feel Windows firewall is adequate, but I don’t know what else to use. I’ve been hearing some things about Zone Alarm that are not good so I know I don’t want to use that one.

Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions they’d like to share on this?

Nikilet

There are many freeware firewalls such as, Comodo, PCTools Firewall Plus, Jetico, etc. - Zone Alarm free works fine with avast and has a reasonably friendly user interface, however, the free version is becoming bloated with trial ware and is also crippled as far as outbound protection goes In the Program Control, configuration area, the slider will only goes as far as Medium protection, if you want more you have to buy the Pro version. So this might well confirm what you are hearing.

See A Forum discussion on free firewalls http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30808.0

See http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php.

Hi…

Sadly, this seems to be a common occurrence with AVG 8 upgrades. :frowning:

As far as a firewall, I’ve had good experiences with Kerio 4.2, before Sunbelt bought it. You won’t be able to purchase the full version anymore but you still can use it for free with a few features disabled. :slight_smile:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_kerio_personal_firewall/468/

Best Regards…

Are you using XP or Vista?

You would be better off getting yourself a router with a built-in firewall, turning off un-needed services, using a more secure browser and e-mail client and making sure your system/software is kept up-to-date. Practice safe-hex and do regular backups with something like Acronis True Image and learn how to restore. It is much easier to restore a clean image in less than an hour than spending 3 days trying to clean up your computer.

When a router with a built in firewall is mentioned it can be a simple or full system- which usually takes some expertise to configure, program, etc
is $$$
and aimed at the enterprise market
a normal router has some hardware firewall capabilities but to cover the bases must be used with a software firewall such as those mentioned above
or
you can configure a separate linux box with a software firewall, spam blocker, DNS router, etc and really protect your network

for most situations avast with one of the above firewalls would be easier to maintain unless you have an IT tech

I want to thank everyone for their answers.

I am using Vista.

I’m just not in the market for that router setup situation, but I thank you for the recommendation.

I always keep my security programs up to date, fanatically.

I’m just getting ready to try the free trial of Webroot’s firewall. Does anyone have any opinions about it? I have their Spy Sweeper.

Maybe you can just keep Windows Vista firewall for a while. It just not easy to block outbound connections, but if you need a good inbound firewall, just keep it. I’ve used PCTools and Comodo on Vista. Then I turn back to Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

While providing complete inbound AND outbound protection, by default, the Vista firewall does not contain any rules for controlling of outbound traffic. That is, every program is allowed to go out.

Configure Vista Firewall to support outbound packet filtering: http://searchwindowssecurity.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid45_gci1247138,00.html

Or use Vista Firewall Control 32-bit: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Vista_Firewall_Control_32-bit_d5578.html

I guess I don’t understand what you mean by “Windows Firewall with Advance Security.” What is the Advanced Security part? I went into it and I didn’t find anything that struck home.

::slight_smile: To maxwachtel:

I forgot to mention that I do have Acronis True Image. And I wanted so badly to use it but I find the instructions daunting. I even printed everything off. I am thinking it can’t be that hard because I’ve read so many times how simple it is, but the directions I printed off are bloated and confusing. Is there somewhere I can get a simple set of directions for use?

I think it’s just a name
the first windows firewall was inbound only
any program which went outbound and called home was allowed to invite all of its friends to come back in
that’s why you need outbound protection
the new verison with “advanced protection” is able to do some outbound blocking but others have advised you where to look into this feature
outbound protection is vital IMHO
just click on some gotta have screensaver or “plugin needed” or whatever
these guys are really good at their social engineering to get you to bite
soon as you allow then they go outbound with all the permissions enabled- and come back with loads of problems for you- some delay, some sleep till activated, etc

a good HOST file,
and if ie user ie spyads (restricted sites block file) and spyware blaster (malicious active X blockers) also help prevent this “phone home” behaviour
just IMHO