Is Windows Firewall any good?

zero-one · 06-20-2007, 09:15 AM

Hiya

Just a quick query really. Is the SP2 Firewall any good? I'm a standard user, don't use anything that requires any fancy network gubbins or anything like that.

Would it be okay for what I use? I currently use ZoneAlarm and I think it may be a bit uncessary.

Thanks in advance.

Codeman0013 · 06-20-2007, 09:25 AM

It all depends on what you do and where you are and the websites you visit. If you keep up on malware and viruses you should be ok using windows firewall. The only downside to the windows firewall is all of the security holes they have in it. But to remidy that all you have to do is simply make sure you have all the windows updates. I have personally been using the windows firewall for a while now and havent noticed any issues.

**Cellus** · 06-20-2007, 11:04 AM

Windows Firewall (not to be confused with pre-SP2 Internet Connection Firewall) is a decent firewall. If you want additional protection, such as application (outbound) monitoring, then ZoneAlarm is good.

Some prefer Comodo Firewall Pro, Kerio Personal Firewall, or ZoneAlarm for free third-party firewalls. They are all good Personal Firewalls which provide the same basic protection - whichever one you choose to use is up to you.

**Kalim** · 06-23-2007, 08:23 PM

I've used the SP2 firewall and never got infected, however it's risky and it doesn't allow enough features, information and controls to really compare to other software firewalls available.

**Go The Power** · 06-24-2007, 05:41 AM

Comodo firewall is great

**Done_Fishin** · 06-24-2007, 05:51 AM

Major problem ( for me ) about Windows firewall is that it prevents anything getting in via your network connection (hacking) .. but should you get infected by any other source (e-mail, infected software, etc) it will not prevent that infection from calling up the big guns (downloading other components) or doing a volley at any sources that it has been programmed to hit .. it's a one way shield. stops the incoming but not the outgoing

I use Zonealarm Free, which seems very good to me with Grisofts AVG 7,5 Free for virus countermeasures .. don't forget to use a Good Antivirus along with a Good Firewall ..

**Go The Power** · 06-24-2007, 05:54 AM

Also Windows firewall only monitors incoming traffic and not outgoing traffic

06-20-2007, 09:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
zero-one Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 40 OS: Vista SP2	Is Windows Firewall any good? Hiya Just a quick query really. Is the SP2 Firewall any good? I'm a standard user, don't use anything that requires any fancy network gubbins or anything like that. Would it be okay for what I use? I currently use ZoneAlarm and I think it may be a bit uncessary. Thanks in advance.

06-20-2007, 09:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Codeman0013 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 257 OS: Windows 7 My System	Re: Is Windows Firewall any good? It all depends on what you do and where you are and the websites you visit. If you keep up on malware and viruses you should be ok using windows firewall. The only downside to the windows firewall is all of the security holes they have in it. But to remidy that all you have to do is simply make sure you have all the windows updates. I have personally been using the windows firewall for a while now and havent noticed any issues.

06-20-2007, 11:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,664 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Re: Is Windows Firewall any good? Windows Firewall (not to be confused with pre-SP2 Internet Connection Firewall) is a decent firewall. If you want additional protection, such as application (outbound) monitoring, then ZoneAlarm is good. Some prefer Comodo Firewall Pro, Kerio Personal Firewall, or ZoneAlarm for free third-party firewalls. They are all good Personal Firewalls which provide the same basic protection - whichever one you choose to use is up to you. __________________ TSF Networking Team Virus/Trojan/Spyware Removal Help Donate!

06-23-2007, 08:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,642 OS: Many	Re: Is Windows Firewall any good? I've used the SP2 firewall and never got infected, however it's risky and it doesn't allow enough features, information and controls to really compare to other software firewalls available.

06-24-2007, 05:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 11,006 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Is Windows Firewall any good? Comodo firewall is great __________________

06-24-2007, 05:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
Done_Fishin Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brit living in Greece Posts: 7,534 OS: WinME, WinXP Pro SP3, Win7 Beta, Ubuntu 9.04 & Netbook Remix & CD2USB, Mepis 6.5, Fedora 10 My System	Re: Is Windows Firewall any good? Major problem ( for me ) about Windows firewall is that it prevents anything getting in via your network connection (hacking) .. but should you get infected by any other source (e-mail, infected software, etc) it will not prevent that infection from calling up the big guns (downloading other components) or doing a volley at any sources that it has been programmed to hit .. it's a one way shield. stops the incoming but not the outgoing I use Zonealarm Free, which seems very good to me with Grisofts AVG 7,5 Free for virus countermeasures .. don't forget to use a Good Antivirus along with a Good Firewall .. __________________ . . I'm not old!! I'm age impaired .. D_F I DON'T PLAY GAMES How to mark your thread as solved HDD DIAG UTILS TSF's Photographer's Corner Last edited by Done_Fishin; 06-24-2007 at 05:53 AM.

06-24-2007, 05:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
Go The Power Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Australia Posts: 11,006 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Is Windows Firewall any good? Also Windows firewall only monitors incoming traffic and not outgoing traffic __________________