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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: wsx123 on February 15, 2008, 12:52:17 AM

Title: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on February 15, 2008, 12:52:17 AM
I'm using the latest Avast home free version and it works great on my Windows XP home computer. I was using the free Comodo firewall but the latest update gave me problems so I removed Comodo, they added many things that I did not ask for.
So I am in search of a new free firewall for my pc that coexists with Avast well. I have a Belkin wireless router that has a firewall so I mainly want one that has good outbound protection.
Please suggest!
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: rdmaloyjr on February 15, 2008, 02:49:57 AM
PC Tools Firewall Plus (http://www.pctools.com/firewall/) is a full featured free firewall.  The full features aren't enabled by default, you will need to enable them.

ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonealarm.com/store/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp) is a user friendly free firewall.

Both work well with avast!.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on February 15, 2008, 01:45:41 PM
Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: ght1 on February 15, 2008, 04:27:20 PM
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/01/13/73792_03OPcringley_1.html  :-\
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on February 15, 2008, 07:03:38 PM
Thanks-I can scratch Zone Alarm off the list. What about the Sunbelt personal firewall that used to be Kerio?
They have an offer to get the full paid version for $10.00.
I dropped Comodo because I don't trust them- they used to be on the other side of the firewall trying to get in.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: warlock on February 16, 2008, 05:02:53 PM
Thanks-I can scratch Zone Alarm off the list. What about the Sunbelt personal firewall that used to be Kerio?
They have an offer to get the full paid version for $10.00.
I wouldn't go for Sunbelt, it's buggy as hell and when not configured properly, it will cause serious slowdowns when combined with Avast.

Quote
I dropped Comodo because I don't trust them- they used to be on the other side of the firewall trying to get in.
HUH?

If you really don't want to use Comodo (3.0.17 fixed a lot of problems and is not as "chatty" as earlier versions), I would recomend Online Armor.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: ronnycopeh on February 16, 2008, 07:09:29 PM
I have used comodo for some time before 3 and now its even better. I use it with avast pro, I have the pro active defense disabled and firewall set to training and all is well. Pc tools frewall plus is okay, it delayed my startup but the say the new version had addressed that.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: rdmaloyjr on February 16, 2008, 08:19:12 PM
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/01/13/73792_03OPcringley_1.html  :-\

This has been fixed.  Please notice the date of this article:
Quote
ZoneAlarm phones home, Apple throws Intel a bone
Does crabby columnist deserve a raise, or is he just being shellfish?

By Robert X. Cringely®
January 13, 2006

I use ZA on my desktop. PC Tools Firewall Plus on laptop.  See my sig. below.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on February 16, 2008, 08:29:57 PM
Do you use zonealarm free or pro? I'm behind a router firewall so I'm going the free firewall route.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: ronnycopeh on February 16, 2008, 08:32:34 PM
When I replied the date said today, I guess others see the same
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: rdmaloyjr on February 16, 2008, 08:45:24 PM
I would recomend Online Armor.
Online Armor froze up my computer as well as others.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: rdmaloyjr on February 16, 2008, 08:48:26 PM
Do you use zonealarm free or pro? I'm behind a router firewall so I'm going the free firewall route.
Pro, but the free version is the same with reduced features.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on February 16, 2008, 08:55:00 PM
I only want to control outbound traffic on my desktop, and not too technical so my wife can use it also.
My laptop has Open Suse linux on it so I don't have the windows problems-
Lately I have been getting an error message that says "  Delayed write failed - c\program files\alwil software\avast 4\setup\avast.setup the data has been lost? Any idea what this means?
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: rdmaloyjr on February 16, 2008, 09:03:43 PM
I only want to control outbound traffic on my desktop, and not too technical so my wife can use it also.
My laptop has linux on it so I don't have the windows problems-

Probably ZA free might be best for her, it's very user friendly.  Turn off "informational alerts" if you go with ZA, all they are is what ZA has blocked, they might confuse her.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: rdmaloyjr on February 16, 2008, 09:09:04 PM

My laptop has Open Suse linux on it so I don't have the windows problems-
Lately I have been getting an error message that says "  Delayed write failed - c\program files\alwil software\avast 4\setup\avast.setup the data has been lost? Any idea what this means?
Post this question under avast! 4 for Linux/Unix/Mac
all topics in regard to avast! 4 Linux/Unix and Mac
Moderators: Vlk, dublin, zilog (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=5.0)
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on February 16, 2008, 09:11:01 PM
the error message comes up on the windows xp machine-
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: rdmaloyjr on February 16, 2008, 09:19:18 PM
post here: avast! 4.x Home/Pro
avast! 4 Home/Pro topics and issues
Moderators: Vlk, igor (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2.0) With a new thread for Lately I have been getting an error message that says "  Delayed write failed - c\program files\alwil software\avast 4\setup\avast.setup the data has been lost? Any idea what this means?
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: timcan on February 17, 2008, 12:22:07 AM
@wsx123
Hi, if you don't care about passing leaktests then the "old" kerio 2.15 is a good rules based firewall that runs lite.Hope this helps,tim
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: MrRAlan on February 17, 2008, 01:03:57 AM
I'm just using the Windows firewall for now until the avast firewall is available.  Hopefully, they are still working on one.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: greyowl on February 18, 2008, 05:12:02 AM
Is Avast actually developing a firewall?

What sort of a timeframe is being considered?
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on February 19, 2008, 12:14:21 AM
Well I'm giving free Zone alarm another try. I tried it when it first came out and it was "too good", after installing today it keeps my computer running better than comodo free with less trouble so far-
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: gdiloren on February 19, 2008, 12:36:01 AM
I would suggest you better PCTOOLS PLUS FIREWALL. I run it without any problems both on Vista and XP PRO SP2. Comodo 3 is for people that like to break their head and live bad existence! ;)
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on February 19, 2008, 12:40:05 AM
Yes, Comodo was almost OK before it upgraded to version 3-that put me over the edge!
The free Zone Alarm seems good so far-I'm behind a wireless router firewall so I don't need bulletproof, just one more layer of security.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: patrice58 on February 22, 2008, 05:08:46 PM
Comodo firewall is still the daddy but yep it does have problems but they are or will be overcome but it all comes down to personal choice init. Zone Alarm is the pits tho.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on February 24, 2008, 06:08:37 PM
The free zone alarm is working great without any errors or problems, just what I was looking for-simple outbound control.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: don67 on February 24, 2008, 06:19:57 PM
try the comodo firewall new version 3.0.18.309 works perfect for me ;)
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: Rafel on February 24, 2008, 07:36:11 PM
I would suggest you better PCTOOLS PLUS FIREWALL. I run it without any problems both on Vista and XP PRO SP2. Comodo 3 is for people that like to break their head and live bad existence! ;)
He can test Online Armor free(or paid),CFW, PC tools, ZA free(or paid), and then he can choose himself.
But i think you must not offense or blame comodo users, no?
I use CFW without problems, i'm very happy with it and i like have all under control.
If you use PC Tools FW without problems, and you are happy with it, All right, but please, no ofence another FW users.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on March 17, 2008, 04:22:02 PM
Anyone try the free Jetico firewall? It looks like it had good results in testing. But the new version is not free.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: Lisandro on March 17, 2008, 04:25:15 PM
Anyone try the free Jetico firewall? It looks like it had good results in testing. But the new version is not free.
I never tested it as it is not a freeware anymore.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: BlackDog56 on March 17, 2008, 06:36:50 PM
Jettico 1 is still free, Jettico 2 is paid. I have tested both and they are light, but require knowledge of making rules. Right now I am testing Outpost 2008 and it is light compared to when 2008 first came out, and most of the initial bugs are gone.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: Lisandro on March 17, 2008, 07:40:17 PM
Jettico 1 is still free, Jettico 2 is paid.
Freeware becoming shareware... how I hate this  >:(
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: wsx123 on March 19, 2008, 10:31:14 PM
Well I tried the free zone labs firewall and it was ok but not what I wanted. I tried the free Sunbelt-Kerio firewall, if you put it in advanced mode it asks  for your ok before allowing anything going out.Works well so far without any problems.
When I was using the free Comodo firewall I did a leaktest using the Leaktest download from grc.com-it failed but the free sunbelt-kerio firewall passed.
I had the leaktest software installed before both firewalls were installed.
Title: Re: firewall suggestions
Post by: Lisandro on March 20, 2008, 12:06:46 AM
When I was using the free Comodo firewall I did a leaktest using the Leaktest download from grc.com-it failed but the free sunbelt-kerio firewall passed.
About the leak tests limitations: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=29259.msg247460#msg247460