Extra firewall needed for Vista? If so, any recommendations?

I'm just getting a software/utility/security list ready for my first Vista machines - and first laptop - which should arrive in a few days.

In my six years of experience with Windows 2000 (never bothered to make the move to XP), I've arrived at the conclusion that the two most vital components when it comes to security are common sense (stay clear of those funny looking email attachments ) and a firewall - and the latter certainly even more so when, like me, you're connecting to the Internet through a huge LAN (various dorms and apartment areas in this city) rather than a direct ADSL or cable line (though I'll be getting ADSL when I move to another apartment next month).

Get those two right, and chances are your regular virus and spyware scans (better safe than sorry) come up squeaky clean.

For the last four or five years I've been using Sygate and more recently Comodo, but the first one is long gone and Comodo doesn't have a Vista version out yet.

Is the Vista firewall going to be enough if it's coupled with the firewall in my Asus WL-500g Premium router? I've read that the Vista firewall does little or nothing to stop or warn about outgoing connections, but on the other hand, I've gone six years so far without seeing a virus on any of my PCs (aside from once where I was stupid enough to plug in the net cable before I had Windows updated or a firewall installed), so perhaps it's enough that it's doing its job on the incoming traffic?

I could certainly do without the headaches of the more strict firewalls - Comodo pops up warnings left and right when you're using a lot of applications and games that are regularly updated, but that's something I can live with, even if it's often annoying and occasionally even causes game crashes or lockups (some don't do too well with loosing focus).
I did try out a few other firewalls a year or two ago though (can't remember which ones unfortunately, aside from ZoneAlarm which refused to install properly on my last desktop PC), and they were pure nightmares to work with.
Even spending a bit of time reading the manual and exploring the interface I was just plain incapable of even getting a simple browser connection established with one of them.

 

I used to use ZoneAlarm, until I did a clean install and found that my slow computer was much faster without it. It served me well, for the time I used it.

 

I think Comodo is Vista compatible.

 

Not yet, they just released RC1 on 11/7:

"Please enter your email address so that we can inform you when the Vista compatible version of Comodo Firewall Pro is available for download:"

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

 

No, not yet. Same thing Jayayess1190 said. But once it's out it'll be the best solution.

 

Well the Vista built-in firewall certainly does not block outgoing connections by default. But you can set it to block all incoming and outgoing traffic, and add exceptions to the firewall rule.

The only catch is that you have to add each one manually, as there will be no notification to which application is trying to access the network. I did use zonealarm to find out what programs are connecting to the Internet, then added the exe to the windows firewall rule. But if you know what to do, then just find and add them is fine.

Just run "wf.msc" and give it admin permission. You should be able to select connection rules for home/office/public configurations, and I set them all to block incoming/outgoing traffic. Then add the programs to the outgoing rules.

It's a pain to setup, but it works and gives me peace of mind on what is allowed to exit my network.

 

In agreement with uw748. I think the BIG threat is the INBOUND connections, and if you are behind a SPI on your router chances are the Vista firewall will be sufficient. That being said I have heard good things, <GASP>, about Norton 360. I had onecare on my T60, and it was just too bulky, and the Antivirus flunked a couple of tests.

 

I'm using Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.11.246 RC1 in Vista 32. I haven't noticed any bugs yet....great firewall.

 

If you go out to the ShieldsUp page and test your system you will find that the Windows Firewall (on Vista) is actually pretty good. The downside is that the outgoing connections are very difficult to configure and both the incoming and outgoing connections, as stock configured, are just plain wrong - if you use it, reconfigure those.

I don't use the Windows Firewall myself. I use PC Tools Firewall Plus. Although I use V2, not V3. V3 sucks.

See my website for more on PC Security.

 

look n stop ... a great and SUPER LIGHT firewall .. one of the best out for vista

 

Uh, i've never heard of look n' stop in my life. If they are so great, why doesn't everyone know who they are?

 

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

i have used it for a long while and i lve lns. as do tons of others as you can see from wilders..

 

Okidoki. But i'll stick with comodo.

 

comodo was also a great fw.. it just didnt get along with my system when i used it. lns is also lighter than comodo

 

I'll still stick with comodo. It's been great on xp and it should be superb on vista also. It's a trusted name brand that i trust.

 

I'm using Comodo RC1 for Vista now....seems pretty great so far.

 

There's more than a few folks over at Wilders Security Forums that seem to like it.

 

Look n stop is a classic. So was ZA until it turned into bloatware...ZA is still good, but I'd never go back to the huge suite....ZA 4 was the last great build in my opinion.

 

^^^ exactly 150% agreed za is ridiculous now

 

Yep, ZA is over the hill

 

Okay, thanks for the suggestions guys. I think I'll just stick with the Vista and router firewalls for the time being - and then perhaps try out Comodo once they have a final Vista version ready.
It sounds like Vista + router should do the trick for incoming connections, and since I've managed to stay virus and malware free (aside from the occasional rather harmless spyware thingie) for the last six years on Windows 2000, I'll take my chances. And hope I won't be forced to regret it .

 

What's wrong with ZA free firewall?
(not the suites and whatever.. just the basic free firewall)
Nobody mentions it? Anything I am missing?

And since Comodo isn't compatible with Vista.......and ZA seems to be out of favor... then............... what firewall?

 

Really? Well, i've never been one to really plat around with pre's but i might download it.