What firewall is better to install?

[willmiller]

What will be a better one firewall I can download and use for free, that will come with my windows xp and won't slow it down?

 

[swede68]

Welcome to the forum Will,

As far as firewalls go, software firewalls will never compare to hardware, and the first and most important thing I can recommend is to purchase and install a router and use the built-in firewall security that modern routers come with. That will, in essence make your computer "invisible" to the rest of the internet as all the outside world can see is the router itself, and not your computer. This is much more secure than any Software installed firewall you can buy.

I would also recommend disabling the built in Windows Firewall that comes with XP (once you're behind a router). It typically causes more problems than it blocks.

If you do decide to go with a router, check out Best Buy, CompUSA, Frye's, and I would definitely go with a Linksys. Stay away from D-Link as they are not as reliable and easy to set up. You can pick up a decent (even wireless) Linksys router for around $60 (U.S.)

If you do decide to go with a software firewall, there are any number of companies out there who will tell you that they are the best. I personally wouldn't trust any of them as I do this for a living. Maybe some of our members can give you some better advice. And I'm always up for new ideas and suggestions.

Good luck Will, and let us know how it works out...

 

[CASTOR :::]

i'm using McAfee Personal Firewall Plus
build 7

i like it...
but i hate when reminder "Check New Version" loading ...



p.s.
thread moved to Tech Talk forum

 

[Cman]

I just use the built in Windows Firewall. It may not be the best, but it works and I don't have any viruses.

The advantage of it is that its built into windows, so its not a 3rd party app and it doesn't use up extra resources. You also don't have to worry about conflicts and trouble getting programs to work through it and stuff like you do with Norton

 

[Buttlover64]

The best of the best:Sygate personal firewall.

 

[evilrick]

using zonealarm now ..but have used McAfee +etrust+norton+and some others like zone alarm the best

 

[Bob_Box]

used kerio in the past

 

[KABOOM]

Kerio and Zone Alarm are both pretty good. Never had problems with either.

 

[Static2093]

I agree with swede68 i would never really trust a software firewall and to stay away from D-Link once again at the call center i worked at we use to be dlink tech support and we had/have some of the dumbest people working there for dlink its horrible dose not say much about me cus was a supervisor over there

 

[dingbatoolpud]

Depending on your skill level, you may have different needs.

A 'hardware firewall' like Swede mentions is good for protecting the entire network, but it doesn't give you any feedback if you have connectivity issues.

A 'software firewall' like Kerio or Zone Alarm go on each individual system on the network to protect them from outsiders and possibly eachother.

Of the software firewalls, I've been a fan of Zone Alarm for its simplicity, but Kerio is pretty nice too.

 

[caden]

I think the windows firewall is a one way blocker
so I use Zonealarm which makes your computer invisible
according to shieldsup! via this site

http://www.grc.com/default.htm

 

[Cman]

I've had endless problems with Zone Alarm. I dont like it. I wish it was more "intelligent" and you didnt have to play with the stupid check marks all day long.

 

[individualism01]

I used Zonealarm in the past. now I now use Kerio. I prefer Kerio.

 

[drakan]

i recommend black ice firewall.

 

[ac1240]

i think that the windows firewall is just fine

 

[marquis]

Windows firewall only does half the job-it prevents incoming but allows outgoing.It's simply not enough on its own if you have any sensitive information stored on the computer.
I've used Zone Alarm for many years and in most independent tests it comes out with top marks.
I understand from reading around,not from personal experience that Black Ice is bad news.

 

[snowcow]

I have been using CA AV/Firewall for a couple of years now and haven't had a virus since i started using it. It doesn't eat into the system resources either.

 

[Trabelsi]

I highly recommend you to download the free version of Zone Alarm Personal Firewall(if you can buy the Pro version, so much better!). It's simply the best! It's internet monitoring suite has coupled with Kaspersky(the best antivirus utility that is out there right now), and it uses it's detection engine alongside ZoneAlarm's very own robust firewall guard. It's a potent combination and it works too!

 

[Buttlover64]

I was using Zone alarm,but since I try Sygate personal firewall;bye bye Zone alarm.

 

[UltraLisk]

This is a old thread... but :

Mcafee sucks, Norton sucks even more. Take it from someone who knows.

Decent firewall: Zonealarm, but I stopped using it due to system stabilities problems caused by it. Currently I have been testing others and I am currently using Tiny Desktop Firewall.