Firewall??

[mtbchik]

Ok,

I'm frustrated with Norton, so I've downloaded the software and love it so far. However, I'm concerned about the lack of firewall protection.

Any suggestions on which one works best with Avast?
I'm W2K with a small home network, but online all the time for telecommute purposes.

Thanks!
MTB Chik

[se7engreen]

You can search for any of these:
Sygate - has a pro and free version
Zone Alarm - pro & free
Outpost - pro & free
Look n Stop - pro & free
Kerio - pro & free

I've never tried Look n Stop along side of avast but all the others have worked for me during testing.  If you're looking for a free fw, I think Sygate is the best overall, but any of these will get the job done.
Hopefully this gets you started.

[bob3160]

mtbchik
You can use the following URL to download the free version of
OutPost:
http://agnitum.net/22e18df1136a5dad0236026c94bb41bb/download/OutpostInstall.exe

I hope this helps

[Staind]

I wouldn't recommend Sygate just because it goes crazy when you get an update of Avast!

[cousindave]

Sygate works fine,but you have to add an advanced rule to get it to work properly.

[Kobra]

I'd once again, recommend a Hardware SPI firewall, such as a SMC Barricade.  Much better.

[bassbag]

I wouldn't recommend Sygate just because it goes crazy when you get an update of Avast!

Is this problem particular to your setup or a general known fault?.The reason i ask is that i have installed sygate on two friends computers .They also registered and use avast free.They dont use any proxy servers so sygate seemed the easier firewall for them to use (i use outpost pro).I havent heard them mention any particular problems between avast and sygate , but then again as newbies they may not notice any thing anyway.Is there a known problem between sygate and avast or is it possibly individual setup problems  between different users software /hardware etc?
tia
me

[Staind]

I wouldn't recommend Sygate just because it goes crazy when you get an update of Avast!

Is this problem particular to your setup or a general known fault?.The reason i ask is that i have installed sygate on two friends computers .They also registered and use avast free.They dont use any proxy servers so sygate seemed the easier firewall for them to use (i use outpost pro).I havent heard them mention any particular problems between avast and sygate , but then again as newbies they may not notice any thing anyway.Is there a known problem between sygate and avast or is it possibly individual setup problems  between different users software /hardware etc?
tia
me

From what I've heard, and from personal experience, when Avast! does a program update Sygate will continually say that it needs permission to access the internet (even if you've already given it permission to do so). So, after every major program update you have to reinstall Avast!

[The Scribe]

I too became frustrated with Norton--every two years my program goes on the blink (by which time I've thrown out the download for one reason or another) and they expect you to buy the new one.

Avast! I installed earlier this week and have been surprised how fast it runs (much less memory than Norton) and how well it integrates with SpamPal.

Now, I've just installed Sygate and up my browser cookie permissions to ask me everytime they are downloaded so I should be protected just as well as I was with Norton.

But this upsets me a little.

If I just added an Advanced Rule asking Sygate to accept everything that Avast! does. Will that not reconcile this problem?

[bassbag]

Thanx for info....My friends havent mentioned any problems yet ,but ill now keep tabs on it.
Thanks
me

[se7engreen]

I think what happens with Sygate is it will ask you for permission to access each of avast's update servers that are on different subnets.  After each subnet has been granted permission (I think there should be about 4???), Sygate will shut up.  Also sygate will probably bug you about where inside the avast software you initiate the update (whether you right click the A in the task bar, or if you start the update from inside the program...).  This is part of Sygate's intrusion detection system.  Once you permit each one, Sygate will leave you alone.
I'm just guessing as I don't use Sygate anymore, but it makes sense to me.

[cousindave]

Read this http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=4558;start=msg37845
and you'll learn how to appease the beast that is Sygate.

[Chuck58]

I use Look n Stop and just updated to the newest version 2.05 and love it. It runs with Avast! without a problem. I recommend it over any firewall I've tried, and I've probably tried most of them. A big plus is the tiny footprint and that it's low on resources.

I use Look n Stop pay version. The Lite (free) has problems with some XP machines, including mine. On others, it seems to work OK.

[neal62]

mtbchik,

I personally prefer Outpost 1.0 (free) version. I have used McAfee (paid vs), Norton (paid vs), Zone Alarm (free), Sygate (free), and have found that Oupost does a better job for me while using "Avast 4 Home". Once again these are all good programs but just personal preferences among the replies you will see.

[Amerk_5]

I can recommend Kerio 2.1.5 (free) and Look 'n' Stop 2.05 which I'm currently trialing & will probably buy.

LnS is very light on resources and is very secure with hardly any configuration. Just enable the Enhacned ruleset.

Look 'n' Stop
Look 'n' Stop Forums