Recommend me a firewall please

Along similar lines to this thread.

It has to be...

...free
...reputable
...reliable
...resistant to all/most forms of penetrative attack
...low-ish in terms of system resource usage
...co-operative, in allowing programs I grant permission to run without unwanted blocking and/or undue interference (ie. P2P programs such as LimeWire, for which I've been having massive problems connecting to since upgrading to Vista)

When making your recommendation(s), please present your case as thoroughly, yet succintly as possible, making particular reference to the criteria I have specified above. However, feel free to allude to any and all additional criteria, if you deem it relevant.

Furthermore, please keep in mind that I am currently using Windows Firewall at present. Consider that also when you make your recommendation.

Last but not least, take note that I also run a firewall on my router. It is currently set to Low, with the following description: "This level of firewall protection allows information to be sent securely to the Internet, but prevents most attempts from the Internet from identifying the network address of your Router. Some methods of network address identification are allowed, such as via a pinhole, IPMaps or a NAT default server"

Thank you very much for your time, I look forward to your responses.

 

Zonealarm is a pretty good firewall, and is free and easy to use.

 

You could have made your two threads, firewall and anti-virus recommendations, one thread. Just an idea to keep in mind.

Anyway, I agree with Derelict. ZoneAlarm is great. Not too much of a resource hog either...

 

Hmm. I've FINALLY got Limewire to work, something I totally failed at when I was using McAfee (which is now gone, and good riddance). As of THIS MINUTE, I have my router set to the level specified in my first post, am running Avast! real-time, and have Windows firewall, with Limewire permitted to work through my firewall. Haven't port-forwared anything, yet Limewire is running fine. Should I switch from Windows firewall to ZoneAlarm, knowing that I've finally got LimeWire running? What do you think? I'm tempted, cause you're all saying ZoneAlarm...

 

ZoneAlarm is very secure. Yet, like most other decent firewalls, it is restrictive. It may shutdown Limewire. However, you are allowed to manually configure what you deem is trustworthy. I'd go for it if you are really worried about internet security. Windows firewall isn't much compared to ZoneAlarm and its competitors.

Matt

 

Okay. ZoneAlarm it is. Security is paramount. I don't even use LimeWire that much anyway. What matters most is keeping my baby protected and secure!

 

Can I have a link to the most up-to-date free version please? I'm on their site, but all I'm coming across is premium versions...

 

Good choice. Let me know if you run into issues.

 

Will do, cheers.

 

Okay, run into problems:

1. The download I'm using seems to think it's only a 14 day trial? Is there not a fully-featured, up-to-date home use version of ZA that's as free as Avast! was for me?

2. Even so, I tried to download it anyway. Version 7.something I believe. Not Vista compatable. Download stopped. Which version is Vista compatable, and that subscribes to point 1 above?

 

Oh... Vista? Didn't know, sorry. Should have looked at your signature. Nope, no version of ZA is currently compatible with Vista. It's a shame. That's why I'm not using it.

Matt

 

That's okay. No worries. I'll just stick with Windows firewall for the time being, and see how it goes. My browsing habits are pretty safe anyway, so I don't forsee there being any major problems.