Should I get a Firewall?

[DavidR]

You IMHO need a firewall regardless of connection method. Whilst with DSL you are likely to have a router which has a hardware firewall, but unless it specifically states it provides outbound checking, then it doesn't provide outbound protection. It is that that you need a third party firewall for.

[Confused Computer User]

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into that

[DavidR]

You're welcome.

[Avast Eagle]

I only have the Windows XP default windows firewall, is that very bad? 

If so whats the less heavier and faster one we can call it trusworthy? or if you think its realy necessary...

[DavidR]

Windows XP's firewall is better than no firewall but, it lulls you into a false sense of protection, it doesn't provide outbound protection. The windows XP firewall is usually good at keeping your ports stealthed (hidden) you should consider a third party firewall.

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.

- There are many freeware firewalls such as, Comodo, PCTools Firewall Plus, Jetico, etc. - Zone Alarm free works fine with avast and has a reasonably friendly user interface, however, the free version is becoming bloated with trial ware and is also crippled as far as outbound protection goes In the Program Control, configuration area, the slider will only goes as far as Medium protection, if you want more you have to buy the Pro version.

See A Forum discussion on free firewalls http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30808.0
See http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php.

[Avast Eagle]

Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.22.349 is Free, so what you think? shouldnt i use that one? i think my father also used it.

[DavidR]

I personally have never used it but many forum members do and that is why I gave a link to the forum discussion on free firewalls. Some who are using Vista have had problems (and PC Tools firewall works for them).

Mostly it is a case of check it out and see if it meets your requirements, if not try another, but it is an important part of your system security.

[rdmaloyjr]

ZoneAlarm 8.0.020.0 Free has shed a lot of the bloat.  However, I don't like the new GUI as well.  It still is the easiest & most user friendly firewall to use.

ZA Free has always done an excellent job protecting my computers!

[Avast Eagle]

PC Tools was very nice for me too  i use it on both comps now, by the way he blocked some suspicious thing i always found on programs lmao, its called "bonjour" lol! an exe file alone in a folder, wonder where he did get from