I just got a DSL and i think a firewall i essential… I was using the XP sp2 firewall but i know is not a firewall you can count on… So i made this poll… Please vote… 
ps:i am using a router but the provider disabled the firewall, and changed he password… Also whats your opinion about
Zonealarm (home,pro)
Sygate
Kerio
Outpost
Tiny
You didn’t make a poll, just a standard thread.
This has been discussed on a number of occasions, so a search of the forums should return some information for you.
Free or Paid for is another option as far as best would go.
Best is also subjective and depends on your needs and experience. Zone Alarm, relatively simple interface. I like Outpost (now using Pro paid for version), others like Sygate, etc.
People that have XP and say which firewall should I have, because they have heard that XPs Firewall isn’t as good as other free versions should first test here. https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 I have tested Sygate firewall here which leaves a couple of ports opens and fails the test. Xps firewall passes with flying colours. I know it doesn’t check outgoing connections, like Sygate and Zone Alarm, but if your computer is well protected nothing should get on it in the first place to want to connect out.
Are you sure you install Sygate properly?
Did you read the explanation about the 113 port (I suppose it’s one of the not stealth one): http://www.grc.com/port_113.htm
Unless your personal information are stolen by these opened ports…
The outbound connection must be monitored in my opinion.
Xps firewall passes with flying colours. I know it doesn't check outgoing connections, like Sygate and Zone Alarm, but if your computer is well protected nothing should get on it in the first place to want to connect out.
This is not true, if you don’t keep your OS up to date and even then there are unpatched exploits that can/may/will bypass security. When/if you are ever tempted to download a useful tool/program (that could have a malicious payload), you have made a legitimate download request that is going to sail through your firewall no matter what it is.
What is left to stop it connecting to the internet and opening a back-door to all and sundry, answer nothing. Employing protection in depth, e.g. inbound and outbound is obviously better.
But what happens if you do download a malicious payload, obviously you have to keep everything up to date, otherwise why bother with a Firewall in the first place. You could use extra protection by using a download manager with the firewall activated on it. Sometimes with outgoing protection, people will give access anyway, especially if they are not experienced enough, so the never ending wars go on. The whole point here, is make sure your incoming firewall is up to date.
You were the one saying winXP firewall was enough, I was pointing out the falibility of that statement.
Hi Technical I think you are right with port 113, its stealthed with Zone Alarm pretty well but but not quite so with Sygate, as it is not with the POP 3 port. Xp protects port 113 as well as pop 3 port. I myself feel quite comfortable with XPs firewall, and Avast Antivirus, along with A2 squared B9 and Spyware Doctor, which I might add are always kept up to date. I have used my computer for 3½ years now without a problem.
in Sygate you need to untick “act as server” for everything in applications>advanced dialog, to make it fully stealth.
“best” firewall is a router with build in hardware firewall.
Hi Eddy
You are most probably right. All I am trying to say really is that new comers into computing should not believe everything they read. What they should do is stick with what they have got, especially if they already have XP firewall installed, until they are far more experienced in what they are doing. They just need a good antivirus program to go with it, and on my web site Avast comes first.
It can be frightening for a new computer user to understand everything that is written. Viruses are a nuisance, but with experience can be dealt with, without nearly having a heart attack worrying about them.
Barr_y
Zone Alarm, even the free version, protects you in both directions. So why should you be happy with half a firewall if you can get a whole one for free?
It’s even free for new users. ;D
Hi Technical,
I do agree with you :). But what I wanted to add was… ‘personally’ I have found Sygate free version less prone to problems (be they user (me) generated) or program caused than the Pro version ???
W.
Hi Bob
Thats not really what I am saying I use different firewalls at differeny times, especially when I am writing about them. At this very moment I am using Zone Alarm which is an excellent Firewall. What I am saying is that there are far to many people giving information, that new computer owners can’t really take in. So while they are learning, it is best to use what they have got. You must remember when you most probably had your first a computer how hard it was to cope with it all. Everything comes in time, especially confidence. Then you can start experimenting.
You must remember when you most probably had your first a computer how hard it was to cope with it all.Barry_y Back then we didn't have Firewalls or viruses or malware. ;D
I’ve never tested the Pro version of Sygate but what you’ve wrote could be really truth… Sometimes, features of the Pro version could mess the freeware version. Anyway, with ZA I think it’s the contrary. The Pro version seems more stable.
I’ve used every firewall I’ve come across, at one time or other. It’s my ‘thing.’ Currently I’m playing with ZA Pro (trial), and I like it. On my machine, at least, it works nicely. Despite complaints of high resource useage, I don’t find any evidence of it. I’m running XP SP2, 1.3G AMD Athlon, and 512 RAM.
Prior to installing ZA, I had LooknStop which I found to be another excellent firewall, if you have the enhanced ruleset activated.
Despite fooling with every firewall I’ve come across, I always return to Sygate Pro. I have never had a single problem with it, and I like the Pro features, especially the feature that allows for surfing with OS and browser info hidden. Sygate, free and pro, has always tested fully stealth for me immediately after download and without any tweaking necessary. It passes every test I’ve thrown at it, as does LnS, ZA, and Outpost. I think it’s the single feature mentioned above that attracts me. All mentioned are worthy of consideration, in my opinion.
I’m like Chuck58
Despite fooling with every firewall I’ve come across, I always return to Sygate Pro. I have never had a single problem with it, and I like the Pro features, especially the feature that allows for surfing with OS and browser info hidden.
"But there’s not only ONE solution "
No, it’s a matter of preference. Sygate Pro runs nicely on my machine, as do the others I mentioned and a couple I didn’t mention.
On other computers, there could be problems, depending on setup and other criteria. I have the latest version of ZoneAlarm that I’m trialing right now. On other boards, Wilders for example, there are many complaints about the latest version of ZA. It’s working great for me. Other firewalls that some people recommend are a disaster on this computer.
There is no single solution. It depends on your computer as much as anything else.
Kaspersky Anti-Hacker v1.7 does the job here… Very low on recources and easy to use… As free alternative I would recommend Kerio