Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Ninjabot on April 27, 2009, 04:09:54 AM
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I use windows firewall but is it really that bad if so should I wait until avast releases version 5 or should I download something like PC Tools firewall or Comodo firewall pro.
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Hi Ninjabot,
It depends. How secure do you need your computer to be? If you use it for banking or CC transactions, the answer should be "very." And in that case I'd get a two way firewall. (In fact, I have. ;D)
The standard Windows firewall does a fine job of blocking unsolicited stuff inbound, but has no outbound control. A two way firewall provides this. So if you are unfortunate enough to install some malware on your computer unknowingly, the pop-up it will then produce might be your last chance to prevent the malware connecting outbound.
There are two basic types of outbound firewall. Ru;es absed, and application based. Rule based is harder to set up, unless you know what you are doing. Application based will produce a lot of prompts, for the first few days, while it learns (under your guidance) what is permitted to access the net, and not. It is important to gt this right.
Avast 5, at least in its' early stage, will not have the firewall unless you purchase the pro version.
Hope that helps a bit.
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If you want a two ways firewall i can suggest Comodo Firewall but after that im sastisfate of my Windows Vista Firewall like some guy sayed its got outbound and inbound !!!!
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Thanks for answering I decided to stick with the windows firewall because my computer has been fine all this time.
again thanks for answering both of you. :)
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I'm another who is waiting for avast 5 firewall :)
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I'm another who is waiting for avast 5 firewall :)
Me too Tech I'm waiting for this as well ;)
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I'm another who is waiting for avast 5 firewall :)
Me too Tech I'm waiting for this as well ;)
I'm also waiting for it^^
But I'm not sure if I'm going to use it for more than the testing period... :-\
I'm also quiet happy with the Windows Firewall...
But lets see what the Avast! Firewall will bring to us :)
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I use windows firewall but is it really that bad if so should I wait until avast releases version 5 or should I download something like PC Tools firewall or Comodo firewall pro.
The one key factor you don't mention is your OS as the XP firewall has zero outbound protection at all, for me that is not an option. I certainly wouldn't be waiting for any firewall to be released, avast or other wise on the off chance I didn't have a problem.
Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.
If you have the Vista firewall - You could also enable the outbound protection of the Vista firewall, but it isn't very friendly, is rule based and you have to create the rules. - Vista Firewall Control, check out this topic for some user friendly help for the Vista Firewall, Outbound protection, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30234.0 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30234.0)
So as and when the avast firewall is released July probably you won't have been waiting for two months with limited firewall protection.
The other issue is that the avast firewall in the first instance is only likely to be released in an avast suite form and that may only be a paid option, so that is something which you should consider as that policy (sales/marketing) has yet to be confirmed.
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If you use the Vista Firewall Control can you turn off the built-in vista firewall?
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I answered this in the other post you made 5 minutes earlier in the Vista Firewall Control topic.
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;D
;) I am using windows vista home edition. I tried to use the outbound in the firewall but it didnt work out well.
I also have a firewall inside my wireless router I hear that type of firewall is stronger than software firewall so I think its fine ::)
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What you hear isn't totally correct as your wireless routers firewall unless it specifically states it only protects against inbound threat so your in the same boot.
Try the Vista Firewall Control, that I previously mentioned as it should may life easier to control the vista firewall.
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I am using vista firewall control right now and it seems to be doing its job, wow such a simple program. ;D
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Glad that you are finding it much easier that the bog standard Vista Firewall interface.
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What are some good firewall test sites?
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What are some good firewall test sites?
I like Matousec (http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php), allthough it has become more than a simple firewall-challenge... its called "Proactive Security Challenge" now... whatever that should mean ::)
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[quote author=DavidR link=topic=44
What you hear isn't totally correct as your wireless routers firewall unless it specifically states it only protects against inbound threat so your in the same boot.
Try the Vista Firewall Control, that I previously mentioned as it should may life easier to control the vista firewall.
[/quote]
Нафига тебе Виста?? Ставь Виндовс 7...всё работает
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Dear Tarq57 and DavidR,
I have Windows XP Firewall on and I had BlazeFtp, a FTP program. Windows Firewall asked me via a popup if I want to allow or block internet access for BlazeFtp. I clicked allow and this rule is added to the exceptions of Windows Firewall (via properties of LAN-connection). How is this possible if Windows XP Firewall has no outbound control, like you wrote?
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When someone on the Internet or on a network tries to connect to your computer, we call that attempt an "unsolicited request." When your computer gets an unsolicited request, Windows Firewall blocks the connection. If you run a program such as an instant messaging program or a multiplayer network game that needs to receive information from the Internet or a network, the firewall asks if you want to block or unblock (allow) the connection. You should see a window like the one below.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfintro.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfintro.mspx)
Really you're allowing an inbound connection that that program needs.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfexceptions.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfexceptions.mspx)
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Dear FreewheelinFrank,
Thanks for your fast reply. Now I understand.
Kind regards, Mike098.
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My pleasure.