Avast WEBforum

Other => General Topics => Topic started by: o2xygen on January 22, 2005, 05:23:23 PM

Title: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: o2xygen on January 22, 2005, 05:23:23 PM
I just got a DSL and i think a firewall i essential... I was using the XP sp2 firewall but i know is not a firewall you can count on... So i made this poll... Please vote... :) :D

ps:i am using a router but the provider disabled the firewall, and changed he password... Also whats your opinion about

Zonealarm (home,pro)
Sygate
Kerio
Outpost
Tiny
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: DavidR on January 22, 2005, 05:33:38 PM
1. You didn't make a poll, just a standard thread.

2. This has been discussed on a number of occasions, so a search of the forums should return some information for you.

3. Free or Paid for is another option as far as best would go.

Best is also subjective and depends on your needs and experience. Zone Alarm, relatively simple interface. I like Outpost (now using Pro paid for version), others like Sygate, etc.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Barr_y on January 25, 2005, 08:18:53 PM
People that have XP and say which firewall should I have, because they have heard that XPs Firewall isn't as good as other free versions should first test here.   https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2  I have tested Sygate firewall here which leaves a couple of ports opens and fails the test.  Xps firewall passes with flying colours.  I know it doesn't check outgoing connections, like Sygate and Zone Alarm, but if your computer is well protected nothing should get on it in the first place to want to connect out.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Lisandro on January 25, 2005, 08:24:04 PM
People that have XP and say which firewall should I have, because they have heard that XPs Firewall isn't as good as other free versions should first test here.   https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2  I have tested Sygate firewall here which leaves a couple of ports opens and fails the test.

Are you sure you install Sygate properly?
Did you read the explanation about the 113 port (I suppose it's one of the not stealth one): http://www.grc.com/port_113.htm

Xps firewall passes with flying colours.  I know it doesn't check outgoing connections, like Sygate and Zone Alarm, but if your computer is well protected nothing should get on it in the first place to want to connect out.

Unless your personal information are stolen by these opened ports...
The outbound connection must be monitored in my opinion.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: DavidR on January 25, 2005, 08:29:09 PM
Quote
Xps firewall passes with flying colours.  I know it doesn't check outgoing connections, like Sygate and Zone Alarm, but if your computer is well protected nothing should get on it in the first place to want to connect out.

This is not true, if you don't keep your OS up to date and even then there are unpatched exploits that can/may/will bypass security. When/if you are ever tempted to download a useful tool/program (that could have a malicious payload), you have made a legitimate download request that is going to sail through your firewall no matter what it is.

What is left to stop it connecting to the internet and opening a back-door to all and sundry, answer nothing. Employing protection in depth, e.g. inbound and outbound is obviously better.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Barr_y on January 25, 2005, 08:43:36 PM
But what happens if you do download a malicious payload, obviously you have to keep everything up to date, otherwise why bother with a Firewall in the first place. You could use extra protection by using a download manager with the firewall activated on it. Sometimes with outgoing protection, people will give access anyway, especially if they are not experienced enough, so the never ending wars go on.  The whole point here, is make sure your incoming firewall is up to date.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: DavidR on January 25, 2005, 09:59:53 PM
You were the one saying winXP firewall was enough, I was pointing out the falibility of that statement.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Barr_y on January 26, 2005, 01:55:32 PM
Hi Technical I think you are right with port 113, its stealthed with Zone Alarm pretty well but but not quite so with Sygate, as it is not with the POP 3 port. Xp protects  port 113 as well as pop 3 port. I myself feel quite comfortable with XPs firewall, and Avast Antivirus, along with A2 squared B9 and Spyware Doctor, which I might add are always kept up to date.  I have used my computer for 3½ years now without a problem.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: stevejrc on January 26, 2005, 04:19:20 PM
in Sygate you need to untick "act as server" for everything in applications>advanced dialog, to make it fully stealth.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Eddy on January 26, 2005, 04:31:02 PM
"best" firewall is a router with build in hardware firewall.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Barr_y on January 26, 2005, 05:00:37 PM
Hi Eddy
You are most probably right. All I am trying to say really is that new comers into computing should not  believe everything they read. What they should do is stick with what they have got, especially if they already have XP firewall installed, until they are far more experienced in what they are doing. They just need a good antivirus program to go with it, and on my web site Avast comes first.

It can be frightening for a new computer user to understand everything that is written.  Viruses are a nuisance, but with experience can be dealt with, without nearly having a heart attack worrying about them.

Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: bob3160 on January 26, 2005, 08:04:55 PM
Barr_y
Zone Alarm, even the free version, protects you in both directions. So why should you be happy with half a firewall if you can get a whole one for free?
It's even free for new users. ;D
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Walker on January 26, 2005, 08:13:41 PM
The outbound connection must be monitored in my opinion.

Hi Technical,

I do agree with you  :). But what I wanted to add was.. 'personally' I have found Sygate free version less prone to problems (be they user (me) generated) or program caused than the Pro version  ???

W.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Barr_y on January 26, 2005, 08:51:56 PM
Hi Bob

Thats not really what I am saying I use different firewalls at differeny times, especially when I am writing about them. At this very moment I am using Zone Alarm which is an excellent Firewall. What I am saying is that there are far to many people giving information, that new computer owners can't really take in. So while they are learning, it is best to use what they have got. You must remember when you most probably had your first a computer how hard it was to cope with it all. Everything comes in time, especially confidence.  Then you can start experimenting.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: bob3160 on January 26, 2005, 10:38:37 PM
Quote
You must remember when you most probably had your first a computer how hard it was to cope with it all.
Barry_y
Back then we didn't have Firewalls or viruses or malware. ;D
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Lisandro on January 27, 2005, 01:18:07 AM
I do agree with you  :). But what I wanted to add was.. 'personally' I have found Sygate free version less prone to problems (be they user (me) generated) or program caused than the Pro version  ???

I've never tested the Pro version of Sygate but what you've wrote could be really truth... Sometimes, features of the Pro version could mess the freeware version. Anyway, with ZA I think it's the contrary. The Pro version seems more stable.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Chuck58 on January 31, 2005, 05:54:05 PM
I've used every firewall I've come across, at one time or other. It's my 'thing.' Currently I'm playing with ZA Pro (trial), and I like it. On my machine, at least, it works nicely. Despite complaints of high resource useage, I don't find any evidence of it. I'm running XP SP2, 1.3G AMD Athlon, and 512 RAM.

Prior to installing ZA, I had LooknStop which I found to be another excellent firewall, if you have the enhanced ruleset activated.

Despite fooling with every firewall I've come across, I always return to Sygate Pro. I have never had a single problem with it, and I like the Pro features, especially the feature that allows for surfing with OS and browser info hidden. Sygate, free and pro, has always tested fully stealth for me immediately after download and without any tweaking necessary. It passes every test I've thrown at it, as does LnS, ZA, and Outpost. I think it's the single feature mentioned above that attracts me. All mentioned are worthy of consideration, in my opinion.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: niko on January 31, 2005, 09:50:30 PM
I'm like Chuck58
Quote
Despite fooling with every firewall I've come across, I always return to Sygate Pro. I have never had a single problem with it, and I like the Pro features, especially the feature that allows for surfing with OS and browser info hidden.
But there's not only ONE solution  8)
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Chuck58 on January 31, 2005, 10:17:16 PM
"But there's not only ONE solution  "

No, it's a matter of preference. Sygate Pro runs nicely on my machine, as do the others I mentioned and a couple I didn't mention.

On other computers, there could be problems, depending on setup and other criteria. I have the latest version of ZoneAlarm that I'm trialing right now. On other boards, Wilders for example, there are many complaints about the latest version of ZA. It's working great for me. Other firewalls that some people recommend are a disaster on this computer.

There is no single solution. It depends on your computer as much as anything else.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: StyleWarz on February 02, 2005, 07:43:50 PM
Kaspersky Anti-Hacker v1.7 does the job here... Very low on recources and easy to use... As free alternative I would recommend Kerio :)
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Chuck58 on February 02, 2005, 08:37:13 PM
Kaspersky AntiHacker is a fine firewall. I had it, still have the .exe saved to CD. In fact, I liked it so much I bought it. The license is now expired and mine isn't the current version. I may load it again some day, older expired version or not. I'd forgotten all about KAH. Another good firewall I recommend.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: minusfive on February 08, 2005, 01:22:37 AM
 Hi to everyone.

Being a newcomer to this forum and site, I find the information of interest.

As I'm now on a new computer, my O/S is XP. Have Avast professional 4.5 on a 60 day trial. At the end of this period I will revert to the home edition copy.

On my previous computer, O/S was Win 98 and Norton antivirus. Spybot was also in use. However, on using spybot, I lost config files on rebooting. Also lost M/S Office 2000. Will have to format C drive.

I find that Avast is a good program and using Microsoft anti spyware and sofar, I'm impressed.

On my previous computer, I was using Kerio Firewall but on my new one, I find the Microsoft one in XP satisfactory.

Just want to share my experiences with members.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: bob3160 on February 08, 2005, 02:07:33 AM
minusfive
Welcome to the forum.
Quote
I find the Microsoft one in XP satisfactory
Just remember that the Windows Firewall only protects incomming traffic. It does nothing to protect your
outgoing traffic.
It's actually only HAlF a firewall. I for one, wouldn't want to be half protected. ;D
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Fast on February 10, 2005, 04:41:03 AM
This is definitely the ultimate firewall  :   http://www.ranum.com/security/computer_security/papers/a1-firewall/

Fast  ;D
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: bob3160 on February 10, 2005, 03:55:39 PM
Fast
It also prevents getting most viruses. ;D ;D
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Chuck58 on February 11, 2005, 07:52:39 PM
It protects your computer and removes need for antivirus too. I think though that it might cause a problem with using the internet.

Bottom line is, and I think somebody mentioned it here, there IS NOTHING that is 100%, whether in life or on the Internet. A good firewall, whether free ZoneAlarm or Sygate or any of the other dozen out there won't protect you 100%. A good antivirus, AVAST, Kaspersky, McAfee, or any of the dozens others won't protect you 100%.

Watch your email, be careful of opening attachments, stay clear of kiddie sites, warez, and porn sites, and use a good firewall and antivirus, along with Common Sense. Then, hope for the best.

If your machine gets infected, you might have to reformat and reinstall everything. Keep your files on a second drive or other storage medium. I reformat every year just to clean the garbage from my drive. Windows does have a way of hiding things in the damndest places. You never find it all.

Best firewall. There isn't one. I prefer Sygate; others like ZoneAlarm; still others like and swear by LnS, Visnetic, or one of the many others. Firewalls are like antivirus. People become passionate about which is best and will defend their decision to the point of fanaticism.

*edit* I should also add that just installing a firewall isn't enough. Take it to any of several sites and test it for stealth and functionality.

http://www.grc.com
http://www.pcflank.com

Those are two good places to start. They'll tell you if you are stealth, and pcflank can also check for exploits and other things.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: bob3160 on February 11, 2005, 08:56:13 PM
Chuck58
Quote
It protects your computer and removes need for antivirus too.
A firewall doesn't protect you against viruses any more than an AV program protects you from unauthorized
access to your computer.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: Chuck58 on February 11, 2005, 08:58:52 PM
Right Bob. My first sentence referred to Fast's URL. That sentence wasn't very clear, considering the rest of my post.
Title: Re: WHich is the best firewall
Post by: lee16 on February 11, 2005, 09:10:08 PM
Quote
A firewall doesn't protect you against viruses any more than an AV program protects you from unauthorized
access to your computer.

It can in the sense that if a hacker can't get to your computer, it can't place one on there.
Also it can stop some of the side effects of some, such as sending your personal info out to a malicious user. (nor the windows firewall though)

--lee