11 replies to this topic

[todd1970]

Hi guys....first post in ages as my pc has been away getting fixed..again...and again.. Anyway to my question..ive never found the need to install a firewall on my pc..but after someone suggested i put one on and see the kinda shit that goes on i wouldnt be without one.

After installing a few of them McAfee...Norton...Zone Alarm..to name but a few..i cant decide which one does the best job...i know they all do the same kinda thing.but which one is easiest to use..And also after installing XP-SP2 that comes with its own firewall..do i still need to use a seperate program with it..or will the SP2 firewall be enough on its own. :?

Any replies are most welcomed

[Bencrest]

If XP included anything that was useful, I think Microsoft would have loads of lawsuits against them

Anyway, I'm not using one at the moment, as a file sharer I have so much stuff moving between my computer and the net, and setting up firewalls to allow specific traffic isn't worth the hassle.

I think that, rather than buying firewalls, people should learn how not to get trojans and stuff on their computer in the first place. And, lets not forget, that when the next 'big' virus comes out, it won't matter which AV or Firewall you have as it will be designed to get around them.

Hope you don't mind me asking, but who recommended you get one? If it was someone trying to shift copies of Norton, then I understand

Also, when you put a firewall on, EVERYTHING is pretty much classed as a hacking attempt. It is to scare you into always having a firewall, buying the latest when recommended, e.t.c.

Firewalls I've used included BlackIce Defender, ZoneAlarm and Norton Internet Security. I could NEVER recommend Norton, or McAffe, as they are just too resource hungry - you know when they are on, as most stuff grinds to a halt.

I just checked the latest review from PCW, and they still recommend Norton [methinks Norton are giving them freebies!], but anyway, I'd honestly not bother. Windows Firewall is better than nothing, and most importantly I'd guess, KEEP YOUR WINDOWS UP TO DATE. When new updates are available, get them

Hope that helps in some way, shape or form

[virtualhedgehog]

Try sygate. It is one of the best I ever used. It works at the application level, and it is very easy to configure. Also it is better then the XP fire-shit.

[uya]

Personally I would recomend zonealarm, cause it's free, and stealths all your ports so anyone scanning or trying to probe your ports wont even know your there.
If you're really paranoid, and have an old pc kicking around, install FreeBSD on it and use that as a router like I do.

[duplu]

Personally I favour a hardware firewall or even just a broadband router. Then all ports are blocked by default and you allow through the ones you want. This also 'protects' all the PCs on your network. Firewalls are useful for blocking worms but as Bencrest said a virus will just get on via another method. I agree that its really more useful to read up on what virus's and worms are and how they can get on your PC. I get tons of virus's everyday which virus scanners don't pick up but tbh the e-mails the virus's are sent in are so obvious it's laughable.

Firewalls, virus scanners - Maybe
Common sense - Definitely

[momojojo]

hi.
im using mcafee vs9 pro which i think is very good , auto updates ,great at trojan killing ,norton used to let everything in.you can configure youre firewall to let in what you want and nothing else.i dont know much about computers so if i can use it anybody can, well worth trying.
also running webroot spysweeper 3 and ad aware 6.
keeps my system clean and no slow downs.

pm if you need any help with mcafee ;)

[eyleyro]

Zonealarm free version is the way to go, the windows firewall only blocks incoming, not outgoing, used norton for years though has a large footprint, and recently uninstalled it due to bugs they could not resolve.

Your best firewall is a mixture of zonealarm [free] and common sense mate. You could buy a router for £40, though if you're not technically minded, configuring it might prove to be tricky.

If you run ZA free, a decent antivirus, XP firewall and are are patched up to the hilt, you should be ok. I've never had a virus or trojan etc etc with that config...

[PJ]

I use Kerio PFW, and NSW2k5, and my system has never been better...

Aside, can anyone tell me how to configure XP Home/Pro (set to Win2k look) to request Ctrl-Alt-Del before login/unlock, like 2kPro/2k3 does? It seems to go straight to the Username: & Password: dialogue box, which for all I know could've been replaced by an unknown Trojan months ago...

[todd1970]

Thanx for the advice guys..i think im gonna stick with my XP-SP2 firewall..it seems to be doing a good job in itself..i found a useful site that can test your pc for security to see if its open to attacks..hope the mods dont mind me posting this url.. http://www.hackerwatch.org/probe/

[momojojo]

hackerwatch is bundled in with mcafee vers9 pro

[Pgamblin]

U[/u]sername: & [b]Password:[/b'] dialogue box, which for all I know could've been replaced by an unknown Trojan months ago...

Hey PJ

I dont think xp home can be setup for ctrl alt del login but proffesional can if a domain or workgroup is in place. you could try making up your own workgroup name and then putting the machine on that but im still pretty sure home edition doesnt have a ctrl alt del login like professional does

[Zoltar]

I was told that sticking a condom over the telephone lead end where it connects to the back of your PC is as safe as you can get.

But I did hear last month though that some fake Durex from Indonesia that are porous are doing the rounds. Apparently, they have a really pungent rubber whiff when you sniff em. Probably best to steer clear of those ones.