Can you recommend a good free Firewall

[steve181]

I've only just discovered that Windows XP firewall isn't adequate enough protection against hyjacker's etc.

Is there a good free firewall you can recommend? Or a firewall with a reliable keygen?


cheers ;)

[Buttino]

Try this, although some people do say it's rubbish it does the job ok.

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

[steve181]

Theres 2 thing's I need from a firewall apart from the obvious. 1- a firewall that doesn't slow my system down. 2- a firewall that passes a firewall test like at https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

thanks Buttino for that, I'll give that one a go, unless someone can recommend something better

[Buttino]

All software based firewalls will slow down XP to a certain extent - some may be more noticable than others.

Depending on your internet connection, ever thought about a hardware based firewall?
I use AV protection but no software based firewall, I'm behind a firewall that's on my ADSL router, works ok for me.

[newswatcher]

Steve181, IMHO this is really an area where you should consider "paying" for protection. That way you can usually trust the vendor to keep the product up-to-date. I use Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2005 with my XP. I originally downloaded the product from the US site (using broadband!!) and this was much cheaper than buying it in the UK. OK, you don't get the CD, but you can download again if you have any problems. Also worth keeping the download on a backup CD, just in case!

PC World, in the UK, occasionally has special offers on this product at half price. I am sure you have an equivalent in NZ.

Good luck!

[ORAC]

ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp). Second download site with reviews. (http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm/3003-2092_4-10421033.html)

[slj]

Try a variety of firewalls first.

I use Sygate because I got used to it after trying a number including zonealarm.

I like Sygate because I an see and understand how it protects both incoming and outgoing traffic.

Try them and see. You can also try the paid for firewalls for about 30 days.

Try, select your favoured, read about your selected firewall and use it.

[Conan the Librarian]

I picked up Norton Internet Security 2005 a few weeks ago for £19 inc VAT. I was about to renew my subscription on the Desktop and buy another licence for the laptop when I found it. If anybody wants to know where, a PM will get you the answer :-)

Conan

[rotorcraig]

Properly configured, the XP SP2 firewall will pass the GRC tests and get a "TruStealth" rating, which is as good as it gets.

But it's an inbound firewall only - if you get something nasty on your PC making outbound connections, XP SP2 firewall won't spot that.

I used to use ZoneAlarm but found it heavy on CPU and memory, and (I am pretty sure that) they shipped a couple of dodgy updates earlier this year that finally put me off using it.

As an alternative try Kerio Personal Firewall (http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html) instead - does the same job.

Make sure that you're using up to date AntiVirus software too (try AVG Free Edition (http://free.grisoft.com/)) and I'd also recommend Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/) - use the "Immunize" feature.

RC

[Jet II]

Have to agree with rotorcraig - used to use ZoneAlarm but had a few problems earlier this year especially when using Opera.

Have switched to Kerio without any problems so far.

[Golden Rivet]

Dont what ever you do, instal Zonealarm without reading some of the posts here -

http://forum.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/board?board.id=inst

http://www.goldenrivet-images.co.uk/Images/Smilies/0031.gifhttp://www.goldenrivet-images.co.uk/Images/Smilies/0031.gifhttp://www.goldenrivet-images.co.uk/Images/Smilies/0031.gif

[slj]

More excellent info on the new version of Zone Alarm at http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=169400298

[Stripholderloader]

Rotorcraig said...
Properly configured, the XP SP2 firewall will pass the GRC tests and get a "TruStealth" rating, which is as good as it gets
Couldn't agree more, and if you are also behind a router then it doesn't get any safer.
Regards
SHL

[Buttino]

Don't go on the Internet - It doesn't get much safer than that! :ok:

[goates]

Couldn't agree more, and if you are also behind a router then it doesn't get any safer.
Regards
SHL

The problem with the WinXP firewall and most home routers is that they will not stop any virus, trojan or keylogger on your computer from sending data out to the internet. The routers assume all traffic coming from your computer is legitimate and won't do anything to stop it (unless you have blocked specific ports). ZoneAlarm, Sygate and the others however will try to stop things from going out that shouldn't.

An ineteresting idea for firewalls are the ones built in to nVidia's nForce 3 and 4 motherboards. The nForce 4 versions in particular will block in and outbound traffic while taking most of the network traffic and firewall load off of the PC.

goates

[Mac the Knife]

The best firewall is a hardware firewall that sits between your network and the web - this is more secure and unloads your workstation.

A properly configured ADSL router firewall is good. You can also use a retired 386/486/P1/P2 and run a micro-Linux router/firewall like Freesco - http://www.freesco.org/ - runs off a floppy, easy to set up.

The firewall rules DO have to be set up properly.