Last topic for tonight - ensuring safety of Internet ports

[jujubee08]

Is there any website out there that I can use to see how protected my Internet ports are?

Also, apart from using ZoneAlarm, is there a free, good, VERY RELIABLE firewall out there that I should try?

I don't want to get something so cumbersome that it blocks all the safe programs or sites that I need to function for Internet use.

[YoKenny]

Steve Gibson's ShieldsUP!
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

A hardware firewall is much better than a software firewall:
http://www.besttechie.net/2008/08/20/malwarebytes-developer-interview <== starting about 8 minutes into the video

[timcan]

Is there any website out there that I can use to see how protected my Internet ports are?

Also, apart from using ZoneAlarm, is there a free, good, VERY RELIABLE firewall out there that I should try?

I don't want to get something so cumbersome that it blocks all the safe programs or sites that I need to function for Internet use.

http://www.tallemu.com/free-firewall-protection-software.html
should work very well.  hope this helps,  tim

[DavidR]

<snip>
A hardware firewall is much better than a software firewall:
<snip>

Not completely correct, it may be better at inbound protection, but unless it also provides outbound protection, then it isn't better. Connections originating from your system will be allowed back in, that is the nature of internet connections (usually a two way street especially when it originates on your system), so the firewall should allow inbound response/action, etc.

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.