I have just downloaded ZoneAlarm thinking it was just a firewall, but it says it is AV and firewall. Will having the two AVs running cause any problems? I actually just wanted their firewall.
You cant have two AV’s, even if one is disabled you’ll still end up with problems.
You might get it to work . But know that some setting in the default firewalls may create issue’s with close ports etc.
AV’s are known to sometimes flag on another AV-solution.
Best is to choose just 1.
If you have OS later then XP … then you have a great firewall integreated in your OS
It may work temporarily but eventually it will conflict.
Ports are the least of concern, system lock is much more to be worried about.
Windows firewall control http://www.binisoft.org/wfc.php
http://www.howtogeek.com/172349/why-you-dont-need-an-outbound-firewall-on-your-laptop-or-desktop-pc/
Removal instructions for Zonealarm are here http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/products/free-antivirus-plus-firewall/uninstall.htm#
Download only Firewall free http://www.zonealarm.eu/security/en/trialpay-za-signup.htm (free firewall) …Select a custom installation and uncheck optional offers (skip offers button)
You download Zone alarm free + firewall (antivirus y firewall)
Thanks guys, that was very quick and informative.
In answer to Pondus’s first post, I have Vista and was relying on the Windows Firewall. I ran LeakTest today and it said it could penetrate the firewall and reach the main GRC.com web server, whatever that is. I figured the Windows firewall wasn’t effective and that’s why I downloaded ZoneAlarm. Now I’ve run LeakTest again and it still gives the same “Firewall Penetrated” message, so it seems downloading ZoneAlarm was a dead loss anyway. (I have found I can deactivate the AV section and have done so, but the firewall is active.)
Is that LeakTest report to be taken seriously?
Not really since leak tests are made to actually find a leak no matter what.
I use Comodo Firewall w/D+ and all ports stealthed and the leak test still finds a leak.
OK thanks for that. Seems leaktest.exe is pretty useless then if it always reports a leak. I’ll ignore it and go back to the Windows firewall and dump ZoneAlarm to avoid any conflicts with Avast.
One problem with Leak Test is this: Some AV’s will check a program for malicious content and if it’s OK the AV will pass it off to the firewall. But then the firewall sees the outbound request coming from the AV program which it trusts so it lets it through. The firewall doesn’t see which program is initiating the original outbound request so it can’t apply its blocking rules to it.
Of course this applies to programs other than Leak Test as well. When an AV says it’s Ok and passes it off to the firewall under its own identity, it will go through. Ideally, an AV should hand the outgoing request to the firewall as coming from the original program so the firewall rules can be applied. Otherwise, if you set a firewall rule to always block a particular program that rule won’t get enforced as the firewall doesn’t “know” that the originating program isn’t the AV.
I have both running, Zonealarm outbound firewall and Avast without issues. My router has an internal Firewall and no DMZ so that has never been an issue.
IMO in an OS like Windows 8 where you are essentially treated like a hybrid Tablet user an outbound Firewall has become essential.
Every time you install an app via Store and click the agreement it includes access to both personal data and internet.
Now we find out that the combo of IE + Flash have been a serious leak for years…
You are NOT Paranoid if you are right…