Internet Firewalls

[lawman]

My firewall subscription is about to expire. I use Symnatec/Norton. What kind of luck have you had with other brands? Not sure but I think the product I amusing now slows down my computer a bit.

[Scott K]

Norton is a huge program and slows your computer down alot, it also is really good! I use the windows firewall and keep it updated, then I use the free version of avg, for anti virus, and spyware. Much smaller program and my computer runs alot faster then with norton.

[waskawood]

The computer guru I use says that a router like Linksys is the best firewall there is.

[PRWoody]

I second AVG. Had Panda and went to AVG. Very happy

with the change.

[fishermn]

I have used pretty much every one of the major brands over the past few years. They are all pretty good, but I am now using Microsoft Live One Care. It takes care of all the security isssues, and has been very reliable with no sign of slowing my machines down at all. The other plus for this package is that the license is good for 3 computers.

[Scott K]

My free version of avg is good for as many computers I want to put it on!

It has worked well for me for a couple years no problems this far, and its FREE!

[wx_nut]

Hey guys:

I wouldn't use one of the software firewalls - for the most part they are fairly ineffective. I would use a hardware-based firewall, such as a linksys router, d-link router, or something similar.

Basically, with a software firewall, the hacker is already getting to your computer. Most software firewalls can be easily bypassed and then the hacker is into your computer. With hardware, they have to bypass a physical device that has additional security rules set up to stop attacks. I could get into the nitty-gritty of it, but it might confuse some people.

While you may, in the short run, pay less for a software based firewall, for about $30 more you can get a hardware based firewall that can run all of your computers behind it, and then you can have one less worry.

It's similar to ice fishing. A software firewall would be like going out in a blizzard ice fishing in nothing but a thick winter parka. A hardware firewall would be going out in the same storm, but only taking your ice house out and kicking back with a heater and a fresh 24 pack of beer. Which is safer/more enjoyable?

Hope this helps,

wx_nut

[Marmot]

Some seem to be confusing firewall with anti-virus software.

For firewall - I have a Linksys router for home usage. If I am accessing a public hot spot, I use the Windows Firewall and Kerio (free-ware).

For anti-virus - I run several free-ware utilities - avast!, SUPERAntiSpyware, Spybot, SpywareBlaster, and Ad-Aware.

I also run CCleaner to clean up temp files, broken links, etc.

All are free except the Linksys router.

[Whoaru99]

A router does work pretty well for incoming firewall protection, but they really don't tell you if something on your computer is trying to get out or prevent that from happening.

I'm using only a router, but I'm also the only one using this computer and am VERY careful about spyware/virus avoidance.

I just put a freeware software firewall from Sygate on a buddy's computer. Haven't had a chance to mess around with it too much yet.

Personal/free ZoneAlarm isn't bad from a protection standpoint afaik, but I think it's pretty bloated these days.

[IndyEFI500]

Check with your internet provider. Most of the big broadband ones offer some sort of firewall/anti-virus for free.

I second (or third or fourth) the hardware. I actually have two hardware firewalls since I got them through work for nothing but I still run software just in case. Three years and knock on wood, nobody has gotten in.

[Whoaru99]

Quote:

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Check with your internet provider. Most of the big broadband ones offer some sort of firewall/anti-virus for free.

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That's right!! I had forgotten that the F-Secure package from Charter does have a software firewall as part of it.

Those packages are a decent benefit, but they do tend to require some horsepower (as does most software) these days.

[BobT]

Not to your knowledge anyway. It seems hackers have an many reasons to get into your system as there are hackers. It can be nothing more than to just do it because they can to using your hard drive for data storage to copying software to installing malware. Often times we don't even know it's happening.

Bob

[Sandmannd]

Hardware is a must have but also have the software on your PC. Comcast gives you free Mcafee.

[fishermn]

Good point, I forgot to mention the hardware aspect as well. I run the software on my network behind my Linksys hardware firewall...