Anti virus and Firewall
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Joined: Mar 2001
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 8,121
Likes: 686
From: Twickenham, home of rugby
If you have a laptop that connects to the internet via insecure networks, you definitely need a good S/W F/W - Zone Alarm gets my vote.
If you are always behind a home or corporate hardware firewall, the need for a S/W F/W is questionable. I'm not an advocate - provided other defences are solid, particularly AV, anti-spyware and non-admin user accounts.
SD
If you are always behind a home or corporate hardware firewall, the need for a S/W F/W is questionable. I'm not an advocate - provided other defences are solid, particularly AV, anti-spyware and non-admin user accounts.
SD
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 0
From: Bracknell, Berks, UK
Use the built-in Windows Firewall.
Over ~5yrs it's been out, and the hundreds of customers I look after, from corporate clients behind hardware firewalls, to field engineers roaming through lots of insecure networks, I've not had one incident of users being compromised OR of users being hindered by firewall issues.
Over ~5yrs it's been out, and the hundreds of customers I look after, from corporate clients behind hardware firewalls, to field engineers roaming through lots of insecure networks, I've not had one incident of users being compromised OR of users being hindered by firewall issues.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
From: Australia
I agree with Mike-Bracknell.
Although I still use Zonealarm and AVG or Avira on my XP machines, I've been using MS security essentials with Windows firewall on my W7 machines and found them to be both excellent with minimal resource usage.
Although I still use Zonealarm and AVG or Avira on my XP machines, I've been using MS security essentials with Windows firewall on my W7 machines and found them to be both excellent with minimal resource usage.
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 1
From: is everything
GRC's leaktest checks only outbound connections. It's been years since I looked at it, but Version 1 simply masqueraded as an FTP client on port 21. Maybe version bazillionty-one does more, but as a firewall test if's not exactly comprehensive.
Plastic PPRuNer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 0
From: Rochechouart, France
Agree with Mike-Bracknell and twiggs
More than adequate for drive-by snoopers
And if you are specifically targeted by someone who really knows what they are doing then they'll probably be able to root you unless you have truly hardened your install.
Mac
More than adequate for drive-by snoopers
And if you are specifically targeted by someone who really knows what they are doing then they'll probably be able to root you unless you have truly hardened your install.
Mac
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 0
From: Earth
SD,
Ignorance is bliss. 
The minute you have more than one device sitting behind your perimeter firewall, the more the reason to have a software firewall. Particularly for the lazy home users who won't have hardened or patched PCs.
Why ?
It helps delay (or in some cases, prevent) the spread of malware within your network which can spread by looking for open ports on other devices.
And anyway, both Mac and Windows come with software firewalls pre-installed, so you don't have to do any extra work or pay extra money apart from occasionally checking to making sure they are still configured properly and no unwanted ports are opened.
Finally, last but by no means least :
Do not forget that on "WiFi" you are not exactly "behind a firewall".
If you are always behind a home or corporate hardware firewall, the need for a S/W F/W is questionable.
The minute you have more than one device sitting behind your perimeter firewall, the more the reason to have a software firewall. Particularly for the lazy home users who won't have hardened or patched PCs.
Why ?
It helps delay (or in some cases, prevent) the spread of malware within your network which can spread by looking for open ports on other devices.
And anyway, both Mac and Windows come with software firewalls pre-installed, so you don't have to do any extra work or pay extra money apart from occasionally checking to making sure they are still configured properly and no unwanted ports are opened.
Finally, last but by no means least :
Do not forget that on "WiFi" you are not exactly "behind a firewall".
Recidivist
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From: Essex, UK
Readers of this hread might find this interesting
Ten unsung tools in the fight against viruses | Security Management | ZDNet UK
Ten unsung tools in the fight against viruses | Security Management | ZDNet UK
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: somewhere...everywhere
Using Avast and the standard windows XP firewall. All clear and secure according to the Shields Up tests.
Apparently my computer has very cool stealth mode ports and is quite advanced. Not bad for a 7 year old lappy.
Apparently my computer has very cool stealth mode ports and is quite advanced. Not bad for a 7 year old lappy.
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Filton
SaabDastard:
You posted in a PM:
"You have been banned for the following reason:
I find your rudeness quite extraordinary. It is not possible to re-instate your posts, as they have disappeared. It is nothing to do with "disagreeing" with them. They have vanished into the electronic ether - as have you for the next 7
days.
Date the ban will be lifted: 11th July 2010, 20:00"
So my posts just disappeared? They weren't deleted then?
You must be very proud of yourself?
Don't worry about a further ban, I won't be back, your sort make a mockery of decent forums (which this is).
Good luck......but I suspect you'll delete this as well to save face.
You posted in a PM:
"You have been banned for the following reason:
I find your rudeness quite extraordinary. It is not possible to re-instate your posts, as they have disappeared. It is nothing to do with "disagreeing" with them. They have vanished into the electronic ether - as have you for the next 7
days.
Date the ban will be lifted: 11th July 2010, 20:00"
So my posts just disappeared? They weren't deleted then?
You must be very proud of yourself?
Don't worry about a further ban, I won't be back, your sort make a mockery of decent forums (which this is).
Good luck......but I suspect you'll delete this as well to save face.
