Author Topic: WHich is the best firewall  (Read 17606 times)

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Offline Lisandro

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #15 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.
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Offline Chuck58

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #16 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.
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niko

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #17 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)

Offline Chuck58

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #18 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.
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StyleWarz

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #19 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 :)

Offline Chuck58

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #20 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.
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minusfive

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #21 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.

Offline bob3160

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #22 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
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Fast

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #23 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

Offline bob3160

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #24 on: February 10, 2005, 03:55:39 PM »
Fast
It also prevents getting most viruses. ;D ;D
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Offline Chuck58

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #25 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.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2005, 08:00:24 PM by Chuck58 »
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Offline bob3160

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #26 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.
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Offline Chuck58

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #27 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.
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lee16

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Re: WHich is the best firewall
« Reply #28 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