TO: David R. RE: Outpost Firewall Pro

system · March 9, 2010, 3:14pm

David,

I see you are using the subject program. My PC’s are behind a router. Should I be using a similar firewall program as you are? I thought I was protected by simply using the router.

Thanks for your help!

Jim

DavidR · March 9, 2010, 4:02pm

Your router only provides one way (inbound) protection unless it specifically states it has outbound protection.

Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.

Depending on your OS it may have a firewall XP only has inbound protection (so same issue), Vista has outbound protection but is disabled by default and not very user friendly (win7 is I believe the same).

For those with Vista - You could also enable the outbound protection of the Vista firewall, but it isn’t very friendly, is rule based and you have to create the rules. - Vista Firewall Control, http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html and this, http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/faq.html. Also check out this topic for some user friendly help for the Vista Firewall, Outbound protection, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30234.0.

Many forum users are using these:

PC Tools Firewall seems to have the least user headaches as it doesn’t seem to be constantly asking the user questions about this and that.
Online Armor for the most parts fine but it has caused some users grief after avast program updates and that is something you have to watch out for.
Outpost Firewall 2009 free, a cut down version of the Outpost Firewall Pro version, which should still provide good protection, http://free.agnitum.com/. Download, http://www.filehippo.com/download_outpost_firewall/

system · March 9, 2010, 4:18pm

DavidR post:2:

Your router only provides one way (inbound) protection unless it specifically states it has outbound protection.

Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.

Depending on your OS it may have a firewall XP only has inbound protection (so same issue), Vista has outbound protection but is disabled by default and not very user friendly (win7 is I believe the same).

For those with Vista - You could also enable the outbound protection of the Vista firewall, but it isn’t very friendly, is rule based and you have to create the rules. - Vista Firewall Control, http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html and this, http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/faq.html. Also check out this topic for some user friendly help for the Vista Firewall, Outbound protection, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30234.0.

Many forum users are using these:

PC Tools Firewall seems to have the least user headaches as it doesn’t seem to be constantly asking the user questions about this and that.

Online Armor for the most parts fine but it has caused some users grief after avast program updates and that is something you have to watch out for.

Outpost Firewall 2009 free, a cut down version of the Outpost Firewall Pro version, which should still provide good protection, http://free.agnitum.com/. Download, http://www.filehippo.com/download_outpost_firewall/

I am using XP Home SP3. Along with Avast 5.0 I am using Spybot Search and Destroy on the slow PC I am working on now.

I want to do something for a firewall, and will pay if it’s worth it, but free is good because I am without a job.

So…since I don’t want something that causes conflicts with Avast:

Would you recommend PC Tools Firewall or the free version of Outpost?

Would I be able to stop using Spybot (Or Webroot Spysweeper that I have on our newest/fastest PC)?

DavidR · March 9, 2010, 4:45pm

I have never used PC Tools firewall but many on the forums do, I have been using Outpost firewall in different versions from the free version 1.0 up to Outpost Firewall Pro 2009, over 7 years and it has never let me down nor slowed my internet browsing/downloading (thought some say they have experienced this).

You have to be able to live with your firewall some are downright unfriendly, constantly popping windows asking if X can have connections, etc. So it is a case of trial and see which suits ‘you’ that is why free is good nothing lost and plenty of time to try it.

S&D and SpySweeper have nothing to do with firewall tasks so simply because you install a firewall doesn’t negate their use. Though SpySweeper is ‘not a free option’ I believe it is also heavy on resources. S&D whilst still currently developed I feel it is diminished. There are other free options (no resident protection like spysweeper though), MBAM and SAS, both are free and on-demand scanners, if you choose to buy one to get the pro version with resident protection, it is a one of charge not annual like some others.

system · March 9, 2010, 4:48pm

DavidR post:4:

I have never used PC Tools firewall but many on the forums do, I have been using Outpost firewall in different versions from the free version 1.0 up to Outpost Firewall Pro 2009, over 7 years and it has never let me down nor slowed my internet browsing/downloading (thought some say they have experienced this).

You have to be able to live with your firewall some are downright unfriendly, constantly popping windows asking if X can have connections, etc. So it is a case of trial and see which suits ‘you’ that is why free is good nothing lost and plenty of time to try it.

S&D and SpySweeper have nothing to do with firewall tasks so simply because you install a firewall doesn’t negate their use. Though SpySweeper is ‘not a free option’ I believe it is also heavy on resources. S&D whilst still currently developed I feel it is diminished. There are other free options (no resident protection like spysweeper though), MBAM and SAS, both are free and on-demand scanners, if you choose to buy one to get the pro version with resident protection, it is a one of charge not annual like some others.

Thank you for the detailed explanation!

Cheers! ><