Firewalls

[Daphnej]

I recently had to wipe my hard drive and start fresh.  Prior to wiping my computer was running terribly slow, sometimes not at all.  I downloaded mozilla firefox browser and it seems to be much faster. I also downloaded avast to use as my antivirus.  I tried zonealarm for my firewall but had to take it out as the computer slowed right down again.  Did I do something wrong with the installation or is there a firewall that anyone would recommend?

[Eddy]

Since you went online without protection, your system could already have been infected.
Please make sure the system is clean.
(INFO)

[thedon57]

Hi why did you not use the windows firewall

[DavidR]

Hi why did you not use the windows firewall

1. We don't know what OS 'Daphnej' uses so she may not have winXP SP1 or SP2.
2. Whilst the windows firewall is better than no firewall, it doesn't provide full outbound protection, so a third party firewall is advised.

@ Daphnej
Try one of the firewalls mentioned in these threads:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=12735.0
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=15491.0
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=4368.0
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=12735.0

[Daphnej]

I'm using Windows xp and read that the firewall for that is not truly effective.  Because I'm not very experiences in setting up programs like that, perhaps I just didn't do it right when I downloaded the Zonealarm and that 's why it didn't work well. 

[essexboy]

When you download za and run it, let the programme set automatic configuration.  You will get a few popups as your programmes run and access the net.  If you are happy that the programmes are legitimate then allow them.  Any questions on how to set it up just shout and I'll try to help

[Daphnej]

I'll try again.  Thanks for your offer of help, I truly appreciate it.