spec me a firewall

mondo · 23 Jun 2007 at 18:14

I am currently running windows xp sp2. At the moment i am

using the free version of zone alarm.

So spec me a firewall that is better and in your opinion why.

thanks.

MarcLister · 23 Jun 2007 at 18:35

Sunbelt Kerio is what I use having dumped ZA Pro. I find Sunbelt Kerio easier to live with. It works perfectly well on its own with minimal user input. ZA Pro just drove me nuts with the number of questions and input it wanted.

Also Sunbelt Kerio is free. You get 30 days of the full featured version but you lose very little functionality after that. There is a table on the link that shows you the difference. The script blocking and cookies etc Firefox and NoScript can do. So you don't really lose out.

Others might suggest Comodo free firewall. I gave it a go but for me personally it just didn't click and seemed a bit of a cartoony interface for me.

Bane · 23 Jun 2007 at 21:03

Looks like this recommendation also uses TrialPay. So might see about it when car insurance needs renewal

LoadsaMoney · 23 Jun 2007 at 21:27

I use http://www.comodo.com/products/free_products.html after getting rid of Za and never looked back.

MarcLister · 23 Jun 2007 at 21:52

Bane said:
Looks like this recommendation also uses TrialPay. So might see about it when car insurance needs renewal

Sunbelt Kerio? Nah no trial. Just download exe. Install it and you have 30 days trial. After that it reverts to free features. Then you can buy a licence if you need.

Moley · 23 Jun 2007 at 21:53

I'm using a cheap PIX I got off ebay. Beats a software firewall any day.

G-MAN2004 · 23 Jun 2007 at 21:56

I use Sygate Personal firewall and I have never had problems with it.

rezza · 23 Jun 2007 at 23:50

Sunbelt kerio here. Been using for 5 years. Tried everything this is the best stuff. Easier to use than outpost, ZA and others.

Alex_6n2 · 24 Jun 2007 at 00:11

What are the resource usage stats like for Comodo free and sunbelt?

I'm currently just using the SP2 firewall, any point switching?

Fraggr · 24 Jun 2007 at 00:52

Alex_6n2 said:
I'm currently just using the SP2 firewall, any point switching?

That's all I'm using. Requires barely any user input, only when you are executing a program for the first time.

It's sufficient for a home user's needs.

lay-z-boy · 24 Jun 2007 at 01:22

Windows sp2 firewall is a great firewall, it does the job. However if you are behind a router NAT should take care of everything.

Myself, I don't use a firewall I use an old smelleron pc with m0n0wall installed on it. (acts as a very powerful router)

Megahurtz400 · 24 Jun 2007 at 02:32

G-MAN2004 said:
I use Sygate Personal firewall and I have never had problems with it.

Always have and its perfect!!

Bane · 24 Jun 2007 at 12:10

MarcLister said:
Sunbelt Kerio? Nah no trial. Just download exe. Install it and you have 30 days trial. After that it reverts to free features. Then you can buy a licence if you need.

TrialPay is a feature a few companies are offering. You can get the full product purchased for you, if you buy a product or service from a different company in the scheme. So you wouldn't have to worry about Kerio reverting to the free edition options set 30 days (if you wanted the full package).

Only one that I'd pick is Directline insurance, but there are a fair few services to pick from.

MarcLister · 24 Jun 2007 at 12:14

Bane said:
TrialPay is a feature a few companies are offering. You can get the full product purchased for you, if you buy a product or service from a different company in the scheme. So you wouldn't have to worry about Kerio reverting to the free edition options set 30 days (if you wanted the full package).

Only one that I'd pick is Directline insurance, but there are a fair few services to pick from.

Oh right.