Some advice on a firewall.....

essjay · 05-02-2008, 10:23 PM

Hi there...

Could someone please suggest a firewall to use....
One that wont conflict with my Netgear router.... Netgear advises Windows firewall has been known to be a prob with their software and a few others such as ZoneAlarm, Norton & McAfee...

I run Avast Pro and i find it really good... Seems to be doing it's job but doesn't come with a firewall so i suppose im asking....
I know my Router runs with its own firewall but for incoming not outgoing...
This isn't enough is it?

Is there a firewall that i can use that will run well with my router and my antivirus? dumb question?.... Sorry..... I'm a newbie....

johnhook · 05-02-2008, 10:40 PM

essjay,

While I have LOTS of things I dislike about Norton/Symantec Internet Security products - I will say that the firewall bundled into NIS (various versions) DID work rather well in detecting and blocking outside hack attempts on both my Win2K and Windows XP systems. I would NOT rely on the built-in firewall that comes with XP or Vista as these firewalls do basic blocking and don't actively seek out hack attempts or other external IP hijacks on your PC.

That said - I have a love-hate relationship with Norton/Symantec Security products. They are notoriously slow, resource hogs and are nearly impossible to uninstall, reinstall or upgrade without LOTS of manual intervention.

MfAfee products aren't horrible, but I've not been impressed by the firewall features in their Internet Security products.

Zone Alarm and Outpost seem to be quite popular and effective.

Check out these links for reviews/comparisons of various software firewall products for Windows:

http://www.all-internet-security.com..._software.html

http://personal-firewall-software-re...enreviews.com/

You can also Google "Best Software Firewalls" and check out the various links. Understand that so much of what you find on these searches are marketing-based websites geared towards selling a particular product, so be aware of phony ads claiming to be unbiased reviews.

- John

essjay · 05-03-2008, 03:06 AM

Cheers John....

Will do just that..... Thank's for the advice!!! x x

johnhook · 05-03-2008, 03:25 AM

essjay,

Everthing I've read seems to point to Zone Alarm and secondly Outpost as being the best software firewalls. From all the advice I've received from anti-malware user-to-user tech forums, NOD32 seems to be the best Anti-Virus software. I believe that Zone Alarm and NOD32 work well together.

Whatever you do, DO NO rely on the Windows XP or Vista built-in firewall as it's designed to basically block ports and addressed. A GOOD firewall will do all of that but actively scan for external attacks as well. The Norton product's firewalls did a good job of thwarting outside IP attacks - but this protection came at a great price; mainly drag on the system's resources and the inability to cleanly uninstall, re-install and upgrade. McAfee Internet Security products didn' have the same resource hogging and uninstall/re-install/upgrade issues as the Norton products and were decent with malware/virus detection/elimination, but weak in the Firewall attack department. After LOTS of research from folks who specialize in both AV/Malware and Firewall issues - I'm thinking that a combination of NOD32 for AV/Malware and Zone Alarm for firewall protection are the way to go. Avoid any mass-marketed (via TV ads) AV/Firewall programs that claim to fix ALL of your computer's problems. Avoid ANY product that is mass marketed via internet pop-up ads as well. Some of these products actually INFECT your PC will adware only to resolve it in an attempt to claim they're actually doing something productive.

- John

**Cellus** · 05-03-2008, 02:02 PM

Comodo Firewall Pro is considered one the absolute best free Personal Firewalls available, and in some cases even trumps the venerable ZoneAlarm. Either is good, however if you don't like one you can try the other.

I highly recommend you take a look at our PC Safety and Security thread for recommended products.

05-02-2008, 10:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
essjay Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 24 OS: xp Sp2	Some advice on a firewall..... Hi there... Could someone please suggest a firewall to use.... One that wont conflict with my Netgear router.... Netgear advises Windows firewall has been known to be a prob with their software and a few others such as ZoneAlarm, Norton & McAfee... I run Avast Pro and i find it really good... Seems to be doing it's job but doesn't come with a firewall so i suppose im asking.... I know my Router runs with its own firewall but for incoming not outgoing... This isn't enough is it? Is there a firewall that i can use that will run well with my router and my antivirus? dumb question?.... Sorry..... I'm a newbie.... __________________ Everyone has to start somewhere..... Last edited by essjay : 05-02-2008 at 10:28 PM.

05-02-2008, 10:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 670 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: Some advice on a firewall..... essjay, While I have LOTS of things I dislike about Norton/Symantec Internet Security products - I will say that the firewall bundled into NIS (various versions) DID work rather well in detecting and blocking outside hack attempts on both my Win2K and Windows XP systems. I would NOT rely on the built-in firewall that comes with XP or Vista as these firewalls do basic blocking and don't actively seek out hack attempts or other external IP hijacks on your PC. That said - I have a love-hate relationship with Norton/Symantec Security products. They are notoriously slow, resource hogs and are nearly impossible to uninstall, reinstall or upgrade without LOTS of manual intervention. MfAfee products aren't horrible, but I've not been impressed by the firewall features in their Internet Security products. Zone Alarm and Outpost seem to be quite popular and effective. Check out these links for reviews/comparisons of various software firewall products for Windows: http://www.all-internet-security.com..._software.html http://personal-firewall-software-re...enreviews.com/ You can also Google "Best Software Firewalls" and check out the various links. Understand that so much of what you find on these searches are marketing-based websites geared towards selling a particular product, so be aware of phony ads claiming to be unbiased reviews. - John __________________

05-03-2008, 03:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
essjay Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 24 OS: xp Sp2	Re: Some advice on a firewall..... Cheers John.... Will do just that..... Thank's for the advice!!! x x __________________ Everyone has to start somewhere.....

05-03-2008, 03:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
johnhook Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 670 OS: MS SBS 2003 SP2	Re: Some advice on a firewall..... essjay, Everthing I've read seems to point to Zone Alarm and secondly Outpost as being the best software firewalls. From all the advice I've received from anti-malware user-to-user tech forums, NOD32 seems to be the best Anti-Virus software. I believe that Zone Alarm and NOD32 work well together. Whatever you do, DO NO rely on the Windows XP or Vista built-in firewall as it's designed to basically block ports and addressed. A GOOD firewall will do all of that but actively scan for external attacks as well. The Norton product's firewalls did a good job of thwarting outside IP attacks - but this protection came at a great price; mainly drag on the system's resources and the inability to cleanly uninstall, re-install and upgrade. McAfee Internet Security products didn' have the same resource hogging and uninstall/re-install/upgrade issues as the Norton products and were decent with malware/virus detection/elimination, but weak in the Firewall attack department. After LOTS of research from folks who specialize in both AV/Malware and Firewall issues - I'm thinking that a combination of NOD32 for AV/Malware and Zone Alarm for firewall protection are the way to go. Avoid any mass-marketed (via TV ads) AV/Firewall programs that claim to fix ALL of your computer's problems. Avoid ANY product that is mass marketed via internet pop-up ads as well. Some of these products actually INFECT your PC will adware only to resolve it in an attempt to claim they're actually doing something productive. - John __________________

05-03-2008, 02:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,388 OS: Windows XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: Some advice on a firewall..... Comodo Firewall Pro is considered one the absolute best free Personal Firewalls available, and in some cases even trumps the venerable ZoneAlarm. Either is good, however if you don't like one you can try the other. I highly recommend you take a look at our PC Safety and Security thread for recommended products. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!