Firewall suggestions

ImposeR

ImposeR

ImposeR

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Joined
7 Jul 2003
Posts
311
Hi all,

I've been doing some searching and what have you to find a fast and reliable firewall to use with my new system, but cannot seem to find any definitive sources. Currently, I'm still using Sygate Pro, which has NEVER yet failed, is very reliable (passes every leak test) and easy to configure.

As you prob know sygate were bought out by symantec, and now its just bloatware. The reason I wish to upgrade from sygate is because it is quite old (the last update I think was over a year ago), and I figured there must be something else on the market which is better.

This format would be nice:
Firewall name (software only):
Reasons for:
Reasons against:

Preferably I would like input from people with personal experience as opposed to 'I heard...'

Finally (sorry!), It would be great if ex-users of sygate could post about their experience with the change.

Thanks a bunch in advance. /off to post another thread.
 
I still use sygate, its pretty rock solid. Minimal resources used and is easy to use. No reason to change tbh.
 
Reinstalled windows a few months ago and thought the same as you, so installed ZoneAlarm. Had a number of small problems getting it set up to how i like it and after a few weeks it started hogging all my cpu cycles.

Got rid of it and now back with Sygate (version 5.6). Still the best in my opinion even though its not supported anymore. If it ain't broke why fix it! :D
 
General consensus seems to be to stick with the best. I have tried out ZA pro, but I find the GUI just too 'clunky' for my liking.

I been reading that Kerio is very similar to sygate, anyone have any ideas on this? Will probably end up getting a trial for it anyway (if theres one around) and testing it.


masslac said:
Windows firewall is fine.
Click to expand...

Fine for the average noob maybe, but not for some who wants decent configurability/logging features/etc.
 
I've been using Kerio personal firewall version 4.2.1 (or whatever the latest free one is) and I'm very happy with it. Especally compared to Zone Alarm which does feel clunky and heavy in comparisson
 
masslac said:
It's fine for me and I am by no means a noob.
Click to expand...

The fact you aren't a noob means that Windows Firewall is probably fine for you, but for people with limited computer experience, particulary with regard to protecting themselves from malware, I'd only put in the 'better than nothing' category.

Noob's or what ever you or anyone wants to call them, need a firewall that will provide outbound as well as inbound protection, otherwise they could find themselves unwittingly and unknowingly part of a botnet.

Firewalls that I would recommend are:

-Outpost (XP only; the best I've used; highly configurable; the logging facility is second to none)
-Comodo (Free, popular)
-Zone Alarm (has become a bit bloaty; hate the interface but that's just my personal opinion)
-Sygate (old; no longer updated)

just my 0.2 cents
 
korbk said:
The fact you aren't a noob means that Windows Firewall is probably fine for you, but for people with limited computer experience, particulary with regard to protecting themselves from malware, I'd only put in the 'better than nothing' category.

Noob's or what ever you or anyone wants to call them, need a firewall that will provide outbound as well as inbound protection, otherwise they could find themselves unwittingly and unknowingly part of a botnet.
Click to expand...
Decent antivirus software would prevent this, though.
 
I read a post on here somewhere with people saying they have only a hardware firewall which they claim to be better and faster than having a software one
 
Hen_Dawg said:
I read a post on here somewhere with people saying they have only a hardware firewall which they claim to be better and faster than having a software one
Click to expand...

That is true, i have a firewall built into my router, the only reason i use a software one as well is so i can control which programs can have access to the internet. So the smaller the memory usage the better which is why i use Sygate, it also alerts me when an exe has changed since it last accessed the internet, which i find handy.
 
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