Please recommend me a good software firewall...

AdladUK · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:15

Looking for a low resource, basic, up to date software firewall.

At the moment I'm using Sygate Personal Firewall Pro, but they were bought out and have stopped doing updates for it.

I use to use ZoneAlarm, but stopped when they started putting tons of stuff I didn't want in with the package (Antivirus).

Any recommendations would be appreciated

Red Skies · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:18

Either Sunbelt Kerio or Comodo personal firewall get the Red Skies seal of approval

Kerio
Comodo

AdladUK · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:23

Red Skies said:
Either Sunbelt Kerio or Comodo personal firewall get the Red Skies seal of approval

Kerio
Comodo

Thank you for your post.

I did actually try Kerio a while back and wasn't too fond of it.

Never heard of Comodo though so will download and see what that's like.

Thanks again.

Tute · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:28

What about the inbuilt XP one?

It's simple, low resource, and does a good job.

Free too.

LoadsaMoney · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:29

Another vote for Comodo, switched from the god awfull Za to Comodo, never looked back, its brilliant, and its free.

AdladUK · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:39

Tute said:
What about the inbuilt XP one?

It's simple, low resource, and does a good job.

Free too.

Yes it's pretty good but it only protects against incoming traffic, not outgoing.

AdladUK · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:40

LoadsaMoney said:
Another vote for Comodo, switched from the god awfull Za to Comodo, never looked back, its brilliant, and its free.

Good to hear.

I've just finishedi nstalling it now and it seems great.

Completely free as well (even for the PRO version). Can't say fairer than that...

The_KiD · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:42

Tute said:
What about the inbuilt XP one?

It's simple, low resource, and does a good job.

Free too.

Sorry but the Windows firewall should not be relied on as a secure firewall.

It is only a 1 way firewall and it is not particualrly brilliant at that.

If think that most virus writers and hackers target Windows based systems and they know that the Windows Firewall will be there, then that is the one they will come up against and defeat time and time again.

Not just my opinion:

As far as I'm concerned, a firewall mechanism that only works one way is a security feature -- not a firewall. Thanks to viruses, worms, Trojans, and a host of other malware and spyware that arrive on your computer daily, you need to be able to control communications from both directions.

Every computer connected to any network (e.g., dial-up, Ethernet, or wireless) needs a firewall, and Windows Firewall just isn't up to the task. Find yourself a free firewall or pay for one from a reputable vendor, but don't let Windows Firewall fool you into thinking it completely protects your computer. Half a firewall is no better than no firewall at all.
Source: ZDNET

Also worth reading this thread at CastleCops: http://www.castlecops.com/t154088-Windows_Firewall.html

AdladUK · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:43

One small problem is that when I try to update I get the following message:

"Error 106: Could not complete update process."

Strange...

Tute · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:44

Works for me. Never had any issues whatsoever.

AdladUK · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:47

My bad. I have IE configured to use a proxy, and I wasn't connected to the proxy (Comodo uses IE settings, not Firefox).

Works now, and to me this is a great little application. Websites seem to load quite a bit faster as well (as oppose to when Sygate was installed).

AdladUK · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:49

Now I just need to find some good online firewall tests

the-void · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:50

If you don't mind paying for it, then I whole heartedly suggest outpost firewall pro. Very configurable. Even gives you the option of allowing, blocking or confirming every activex, javascript and vbscript on every single webpage you visit (If you think UAC is bad, you would hate my machine - my girlfriend does!

)

http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/features.php

Here is a good site to check how leaky your firewall is.

http://www.firewallleaktester.com/reward_stats.htm

Hope you find the link useful.

LoadsaMoney · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:55

AdladUK said:
One small problem is that when I try to update I get the following message:

"Error 106: Could not complete update process."

Strange...

Yeah you normally get that when the servers are getting hammered, just keep trying and it will update eventually.

eracer2006 · 1 Mar 2007 at 14:57

get a hardware firewall.

LoadsaMoney · 1 Mar 2007 at 15:00

You can download the very latest version from here saves you trying to update it, will be a clean install as its the full one.

WotDa · 1 Mar 2007 at 15:08

Cheers for the second link though, much quicker than the 20kb/s I got from the first one.

JaffaJedi · 1 Mar 2007 at 15:16

Outpost fan here

also if you have an ancient pc kicking about try smoothwall

Final8y · 1 Mar 2007 at 15:37

Yep comodo is very good. just hope the vista version comes out soon.

AdladUK · 1 Mar 2007 at 18:09

LoadsaMoney said:
You can download the very latest version from here saves you trying to update it, will be a clean install as its the full one.

Do you know if it's possible to turn off it asking about outgoing applications please?

I would like to allow all outbound application requests, as I know I haven't got any spyware/trojan installed.