Hello!
I use Avast! 6.0.1000 free version (Laptop, 512 Mb, 40 Gb, processor 1,6 GHz, OS XP SP3). Which free firewall is compatible with this antivirus? I prefer: ZoneAlarm Free or Privatefirewall. Which of these is better? Or another propose???
Yours, francisc
My favorite is Outpost free…almost fully automatic http://filehippo.com/download_outpost_firewall/
Zone Alarm is a joke. Online Armor,Outpost and Comodo are the best 3rd party firewalls for XP.
Well for me Outpost Free is the best
You can try ComodoFirewall 
For me its online armor a solid firewall. it works well with avast but still to avoid any chance of conflict just exclude avast folder in OA (under Main menu> option > exclution>add) and vice versa.
You can get it here http://download.cnet.com/Online-Armor-Firewall/3000-10435_4-10426782.html?tag=mncol;1
OK! OK! Thanks for the quick responses.
Comodo or Outpost or Online Armor. But why not Privatefirewall? Outpost Firewall 2009 Free is old, Comodo is too complex (high resource use - both). Online Armor, in my case, came into conflict with Avast Free.
well private firewall has some compatibility issues with avast
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=73259.0
And as for the conflict of avast and OA did u try excluding each other, in my case it solved the issue.
I tried Outpost, which I thought was a little heavy on resources…Depending what security software you already have…Personally I think PC Tools firewall was pretty good, and a small footprint…Fairly easy to configure…
I guess they all depend on your patience…I didn’t have too much patience or time with any of them…
Cheers!!! and safe surfing!!!
You need more ram. 512Mb does not cut it anymore. Most’s pc’s have 4GB.
I would not put Comode on anything I worshiped!!
This is not correct! New version just came out Vesion 7.1
Build number: v7.1
Release Date: 07 February 2011
http://www.outpostfirewall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10164&page=6
Yes, but: Outpost Security Suite FREE. Anyway, I try Comodo Firewall. I Install it with Defense + or not?
With Defense+ (a full HIPS) is my opinion.
It could be overkilling with avast behavior shield and autosandboxing thought.
OK. Thank you all. Let’s see what comes. :-\
Francisc.
Since you opted for Comodo, here is a good tutorial to install Comodo for maximum protection and minimal alerts.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-install-comodo-firewall.htm
You should also increase your memory RAM.
Good luck.
Prior to PC Tools firewall I tried the Outpost awhile back...Wasn't too bad at all, although I found it slowed down my XP laptop a bit...Using PC Tools firewall now with Avast 6, Spywareblaster, and Spyshelter free....Have to say this combo is awesome...Spyshelter itself acts as a firewall although its an anti Keylogger....Also works as spyware protection...Not much can go unnoticed by this software program...Very Fast, easy set up, easily adjusted...Works awesome....Just thought I'd share this info with someone....
Cheers!!!! and safe surfing!!!
Well I dont think Outpost sucks system resources any more… 8)
Watch this…
Online Armor (OA) has HIPS as well as anti-keylogger features. OA can be set up for beginners or advanced users. As with most security software, adding the software as exclusions will avoid potential conflicts although I’ve never had any. Here is how to add OA and Avast exclusions:
To exclude OA in Avast:
· Settings > Exclusions > Add > search for Online Armor and click on the box to the left of it and add it, then click OK.
· Real Time Shields > Expert Settings > Trusted Processes > Add > search for Online Armor and click on the box to the left of it and add it, then click OK.
· Behavior Shield > Expert Settings > Trusted Processes > Add > search for Online Armor and click on the box to the left of it and add it, then click OK. Also change action to take in Behavior Shield to “Ask.”
To exclude Avast in OA:
· Open the OA GUI > Options > Exclusions > Add > click on the pop-up window and find C:\Program Files\Awil Software\ (for Avast).
· When you reboot OA (to go into Learning Mode), make sure ALL Avast shields are left on.
· Reboot your machine again; OA requires two boots. After this second reboot, you may get a pop-up asking you if you trust Avast. Answer the pop-up as “Trust Always” and “Remember My Decision” and you should not get any more pop-ups. Answer incorrectly and you will get future pop-ups.
· Open the OA GUI > Programs > untick “Hide Trusted” so that you can see everything > look to make sure everything from Avast is not “blocked” (red) or “ask” (yellow). If it is, right-click the item and change it to “Trust.” Reboot.