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    Best free firewall?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by jparker0201, Mar 27, 2006.

  1. jparker0201

    jparker0201 Notebook Consultant

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    What is everyones opinion of the best free firewall?
     
  2. Empulse

    Empulse Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't know whether its the best, but I use ZoneAlarm (Pro), there's a free version as well.
     
  3. jparker0201

    jparker0201 Notebook Consultant

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    I currently use Zonealarm as well. I have the free version though. I was just curious if anyone thinks there is anything better out there.
     
  4. nickspohn

    nickspohn Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    I find Zonealarm to be good.

    That and the Windows one works for me ;)
     
  5. jparker0201

    jparker0201 Notebook Consultant

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    You don't use them both at the same time though do you?I thought that could cause problems.
     
  6. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    No don't use two firewalls at the sametime. Funny things will happen lol.

    I use zone alarm free. It works good and even checks your emails. :)
    Tim
     
  7. Eriolo

    Eriolo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does anyone uses ZoneAlarm and Avast! at the same time?

    I use Avast and when installed ZA a dialog box said there was a compatibility problem (but they were working to solve it, or something like that) and asked me to disable one of my antivirus properties.

    Since I wasn't sure about that (and considering I had the MS firewall) I got rid of ZoneAlarm but I wanted to ask just in case.

    Anyone?
     
  8. Sting

    Sting Notebook Enthusiast

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    Kerio is a very good firewall ... it has a free version and a pro version ...
    also look for tiny personal firewall ...
     
  9. Sting

    Sting Notebook Enthusiast

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    I did have za with avast .. never had a problem ... don't like za anymore so I used kerio now ... itz a very good firewall software ...
     
  10. Eriolo

    Eriolo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks Sting, I might try Kerio :)
     
  11. jparker0201

    jparker0201 Notebook Consultant

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    I've never heard of Kerio before. I might look into it and see what I think.
     
  12. happogiri

    happogiri Notebook Enthusiast

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    Avast! with Kerio is good combination. The latest builds are not that good in my opinion. Try 2.1.5 (Kerio).
     
  13. Shampoo

    Shampoo Notebook Deity

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    Avast Pro with the windows firewall coupled with my router's firewall seems perfectly fine for me.

    I don't see a reason for using another firewall, because I don't really do anything that really handles super sensitive materials so I don't need a really good firewall, so windows firewall is great for me.

    Avast is freakin' awesome though, and I like how my router, Belkin Pre-N, logs attempts at accessing my home network.
     
  14. Elminst

    Elminst Some Network Guy

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    I'll add my opinion to the ZoneAlarm camp. I used the free version for 2-3 yrs before switching to the pay version, which i used for 2 years.
    I was very happy with how it worked.
     
  15. Arla

    Arla Notebook Deity

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    I have to agree with those who use Kerio, it's a fantastic firewall, very configurable (I have mine set so NO programs will run on my PC unless I give them permission, or have already granted permission to always run).

    It also detects when any program changes and will alert you to the fact that the program changed before allowing it to run, very very good free software.
     
  16. By ToR

    By ToR Notebook Evangelist

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    Any comments on Sygate Perfonal Firewall??
    It's free also, I used it las year with very good results and it's not a resources (mem) killer....
    After WinXP SP2 I just stayed with Microsoft Firewall, Windows Defender Beta (formerly Microsoft antispyware) and Avast!.
     
  17. Lisat

    Lisat Notebook Guru

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    I have Wyvern installed on my computer- came free with a mag- but two gripes:
    1. It needs to be manually started every time I go online..
    2. When I DO remember to start it, it runs fine for a while and then forces my connection to either slow down or drop out altogether.

    I'm surprised no-one has developed a native firewall extension for Firefox- wouldn't that be an obvious thing to do? Or am I just being stupid?