Firewalls

[Hilly]

For the past 2 years, I have been using a paid subscription to AVG Internet security package, and it's worked great for me. I only ever had 1 trojan slip past it, compared to dozens with Symantec or McAfee. My subscription is about to expire, and I really can't afford to renew it right now. I intend on downloading the AVG free version of antivirus to use for now. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good FREE firewall, or is the firewall that comes with Windows XP good enough?

I will continue to periodically use the Malwarebytes anti-malware software to scan my computer, as it has found stuff that other malware software hasn't found.

Thanks for your input on this.

[Billsotx]

For the past 2 years, I have been using a paid subscription to AVG Internet security package, and it's worked great for me. I only ever had 1 trojan slip past it, compared to dozens with Symantec or McAfee. My subscription is about to expire, and I really can't afford to renew it right now. I intend on downloading the AVG free version of antivirus to use for now. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a good FREE firewall, or is the firewall that comes with Windows XP good enough?

I will continue to periodically use the Malwarebytes anti-malware software to scan my computer, as it has found stuff that other malware software hasn't found.

Thanks for your input on this.

I've been using the free version for years and like it - have not had problems. The Windows Firewall and the one from my ISP are all I use. Like you I was not satisfied with McAfee.

[dirtclod]

I use the free one just like you. One program not to buy is Defender Pro !!!! I had to buy another program to get it off of my computer.

[rdb]

There is no need to buy any programs....ask the great oracle google..."open source". Also google ."replace windows programs open source"

This is a pretty good list, strangely missing antivirii programs, but good for the others:

http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/osrc/article.php/3877196/75-Open-Source-Tools-to-Replace-Apps-You-Use-Every-Day.htm

AVG works well both free and paid

Comodo for the firewall

Add Spybot alongside Malwarebytes...they both find things the other doesn't

[hivemind]

In all honesty, if you're behind your own router, you don't need a software firewall. If your PC is plugged directly in to your cable modem or your DSL modem, then yeah, you should probably have a firewall. Check out Zone Alarm.

But I'd really recommend you get a cheap router, if only to do NAT and get your PC off of a public IP address. You can grab one on NewEgg for $25-$30 now. Look for one with a good review rating and free shipping.

[TwinOaks]

I'm having good results with Avast!, and Comodo. It's worth the free price of admission to surf over to Geekstogo.com and look at their suggestions. Our own Johanna does (or did) a bit over there too.

[Jovial]

Hivemind pointed out a very solid piece of software in Zone Alarm. If you do go the software route you really should disable the built in firewall of windows. This would help prevent any possible problems from redundancy. Although as hivemind did point out a router is one of the best options because of the hardware firewall and the obfuscation of your computer's identity via the personal network.

[Ellen]

Free Comodo Internet Security Premium, both in one: firewall and antivirus. Feels bulletproof. A little bit heavy on Netbooks, but reliable.

[Hilly]

I went to AVG website, and they had a free 30 day trial of their AVG Internet Security program which I downloaded. They also had a large discount for renewing subscriptions. I just needed some time to recover from all the Christmas bills, so this worked out great for me. I'm covered for another 2 years. Too bad my computer wont make it for another 2 years...

My computer is having trouble booting up. I keep getting the message "primary hard disk not found", so I press the button to turn it off, and press and hold the button again, and although it seems to struggle a bit, it boots. My next computer is gonna be a HP. Dells are just to much of a PITA to reformat.

[320]

i tend to be a bit paranoid.

so even with a good antivirus and the hardware protection you get from a router your machine can still get an infection.

many programs wander off to the net without your knowledge or permission.

you really need a firewall that looks in and out, windows firewall doesn't.

most of the security suites are so bloated with features that unless you have a very powerful machine it will be slowed appreciably. too much real time analysis.

my favorite firewall is the orphaned sygate personal firewall. you can find it for download many places and it is free.

just set everything to ask for permission to access the network initially. as time goes by you will allow some permanent access, others none. the remainder will continue to ask.

i've used it conjunction with avg, avast and microsoft security elements with no apparent conflicts.

i never thought that i'd recommend a ms product but i've installed mse on my wife's laptop and my netbook.

works great. barely know it's there. plays nice with sygate as well.

my other machines run avast av.

hope that helps.

[320]

My computer is having trouble booting up. I keep getting the message "primary hard disk not found", so I press the button to turn it off, and press and hold the button again, and although it seems to struggle a bit, it boots. My next computer is gonna be a HP. Dells are just to much of a PITA to reformat.

i've had both and the proprietary configuration is problematic. the only way to beat it is have someone build you a custom machine with a clean windows install. honestly the price will probably be lower.

the hdd is probably not spinning up fast enough to be seen by your machine. have some IT person copy or create an image of your existing drive to a new one and have it installed. the last one i had done only added $25 to the cost of the drive.

though to complicate things my son's pc had the same symptom and it turned out to be the power supply.

fixing either is much cheaper than a new machine.

good luck!

[Lurker]

My personal recipe of programs that I have on my computers and put on all my friend's computers when they kill them and call me in a panic is: AVG free, Zonealarm free, and Ad-Aware Free. Ad-Aware free in my opinion is the #1 MOST IMPORTANT! No other spyware removal program will do IMO. With these three programs you can download pr0n to your heart's content without having to explain to your wife/partner the next morning why the computer isn't working anymore.

A hint though: If your computer is a tad bit on the old or slow side you want to make sure you don't install all the extras offered with the programs. The basic components is all you really need.

As pointed out above, if you have a router you don't even really need the firewall.

I used to work for <bigname computer manufacturer> as their lowly outsourced Canadian tech support (also known as the "thank gawd you're not Indian" tech support) and I couldn't bring myself to sell the crappy programs they offered. Particularly after a call I got where the customer had an obvious spyware issue, bought the recommended program from another tech support agent which did NOT catch the spyware and I had to get her to download Ad-aware for free which fixed it. I then helped her uninstall our crappy program we sold her (for $40+ dollars) and told her to use the installation CD for a frisbee if she wanted because that's all it was good for.

[Denise]

I have been told that Ad-Aware and Malwarebytes will neutralize each other (best of my understanding) and I have had knowledgable people recommend both. Is it a good idea to have both or not? If you were only going to have one, which one should it be? (No wars, here, now!!)

[Johanna]

Denise, with a Vista or better computer and good surfing habits, you don't need anything more than a Windows firewall behind a router. If the screen goes dark and the computer asks you for permission to do something, ask yourself if you initiated this action? If you didn't, tell it "no". If the computer is XP, I would update the OS or buy an Internet Security software from one of the big guys, like Symantec, that updates regularly. Always burn a recovery DVD for a new computer, and do regular backups. Then anything can happen and you don't need to care.

Johanna

[hivemind]

Honeslty, it's all about safe surfing habits. I have not ran an antivirus program on any of my PCs (five at last count for personal use) in at least three years. About once a year, I install and update ComboFix and MBAM and run them just to check; they never find a thing, so I uninstall them.

Just remember:

If it says it's free, it usually isn't.

If it claims to help, it probably won't.

If it offers you great porn, it's probably goatse.

[Lurker]

I have been told that Ad-Aware and Malwarebytes will neutralize each other (best of my understanding) and I have had knowledgable people recommend both. Is it a good idea to have both or not? If you were only going to have one, which one should it be? (No wars, here, now!!)

One or the other is the basic rule. Any programs designed to do the same thing will usually not play nicely together (particularly firewall and anti-virus programs but sometimes anti-spyware too, I've seen it.) If you find you have something that one doesn't remove...get the other, use it and delete one.

It's kinda like a condom, two is not more effective than one and doubling up can cause both to fail miserably.

Honeslty, it's all about safe surfing habits. I have not ran an antivirus program on any of my PCs (five at last count for personal use) in at least three years. About once a year, I install and update ComboFix and MBAM and run them just to check; they never find a thing, so I uninstall them.

Just remember:

If it says it's free, it usually isn't.

If it claims to help, it probably won't.

If it offers you great porn, it's probably goatse.

If you don't have the skills to get it for free then you don't deserve it free. I googled the last one and recommend nobody else do so.

MY EYES!!! :brainbleach:

[hivemind]

Oh gawd, don't do that. Some things cannot be unseen.