firewall

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I’ve been using Avast now for about 1yr. I am behind a router do I need a firewall? I love Avast, thanks for any help.

2

Yes, you need a firewall to protect your computer from hackers or viruses downloaders. Personally recommend Comodo Firewall.

Welcome to the forum!

3

Router firewalls usually only have inbound protection. So, yes, you need a software firewall that has outbound protection.

We need to know your os to make recommendations.

For XP I prefer ZoneAlarm or Online Armor.

4

Vista, I did use zonealarm for 2months but it never showed that it blocked anything coming in or going out, so I thinking the firewall in the router was doing everything. But I was not sure so that’s why I’m asking, thanks again.

5

If you had checked ZoneAlarm’s logs you would’ve seen that ZoneAlarm was blocking a lot. Also, ZA’s UI displays the number it blocks.

6

I don’t recommend ZoneAlarm because has an conflict with the avast network blocker. If you don’t want use Comodo too can install PC Tools that is free, good and easy of use

7

In the Pro version of ZoneAlarm some had an issue with ZA’s Privacy Guard & avast. I never did. Even though I didn’t have any problem with ZA’s Privacy Guard & avast, I don’t use it, it is unnecessary.

I prefer ZA Free to Pro. I’m currently using Online Armor Free. OA claims their fw is the easiest to use. That is untrue, ZA is by far the most user friendly fw!

8

There are some routers that do include outbound blocking too (thought most popular domestic brands, Linksys, Netgear, DLink, typically do not) so you may want to check.

For the past few years I have been running an experiment - all of the folks I support on avast have a hardware router (either Linksys or Netgear). The only software firewall any of us run is the built in Windows Firewall (inbound only). We all also use other solutions (MBAM regular scans, Spywareblaster). We all have a backup/recovery strategy.

So far the shortest test is now 2+ years and still working without any known problems.

9

I use comodo firewall on my comp that does wireless N linksys. Is comodo good for firewalls as far as wireless goes? because unfortunately the comp thats “connected” uses Mcafee firewaall and Im worried that thats not good protection at all… for the router and wireless adapter…

10

I recommend PC Tools Firewall Plus.It’s free also simple user interface,simple usage and effective protection.

Firewall test results

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

11

Vista has a built in that has outbound protection but it is quite hard to configure manually but Vista Firewall Control Free from SphinxSoftware is adequate for me as I am behind a hardware firewall built into my DSL modem:
http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html

SpywareBlaster, MBAM and WinPatrol are also recommended.

12

Thanks for the info.
I did download PC tools firewall last night, and seems to be working well.
This is what I have for security.
Avast
Webroot spysweeper
PC tools firewall plus
Windows Defender

What do you think?
Thanks

13

Webroot spysweeper is heavy on computer resources. I think SuperAntiSpyware is better.

The built in antispyware “module” in avast! is very good, an additional real-time as isn’t really needed. I do have Windows Defender on my desktop for a little extra security as I let guests in my home use it, you can’t be sure of where they will go or do on the 'net. :wink:

I don’t have WD on my laptop, it’s only for my use.

It wouldn’t hurt to have SuperAntiSpyware Free for on-demand scanning.

I highly recommend WinPatrol & OpenDNS.

Opera is the most secure & fastest browser. :wink:

14

Perfect :slight_smile:

15

I know this is not the PC tools firewall dept. but since I have installed it, on restarts I’m getting a new error: microsoft visual c++ runtime error? Is this because of the firewall? I have never seen if before.
Thanks again.

16

it’s because you have installed and uninstalled a few programs that can cause a few problems for windows, you can use some programs to help your computer work a few better.

Defragment: http://www.defraggler.com
Cleanup: http://www.ccleaner.com
Fix Invalid Registry keys: http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/registry-cleaner
Defragment Registry: http://www.auslogics.com/registry-defrag

I’ve not tried PC Tools firewall, but it’s a product from a good company that do always good job, in my opinion and with that re-search that I had, Online Armor is most secure firewall that could pass almost all test, you can read here and choose a firewall depending on their test: http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php

I think it’s better if you remove Webroot product because it’s a product that can slow down your computer beside of a not very great detection and Malwarebytes Antimalware http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php and SUPERAntiSpyware http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html as on-demand scanner to scan new files and periodically scan your windows :slight_smile:

Good Luck!

17

I did pick up Spyware Doctor on sale the other day for $5.00 would that work & run better than Webroot Spysweeper?

18

Yes, when I was using PC Tools Spyware Doctor I was happy with that, I think it’s so much better than SpySweeper. anyway it’s better to use those programs that I noticed, anyway it’s a good Antispyware and I think better than Webroot products… :slight_smile:
it’s my personal opinion…