PC Tools Firewall gone -- what others are good?

[MikeBCda]

It's official -- PC Tools Firewall Plus is "retired" as of today, with no hints that was coming (thanks loads, Symantec  ).

Which others (preferably freeware) are currently recommended?  I've tried (and ditched) both ZA and Comodo, and would like something that's a reasonable balance of security and user-friendliness.

[Pondus]

My favorit Outpost free http://free.agnitum.com/  almost fully automatic

[DavidR]

It's official -- PC Tools Firewall Plus is "retired" as of today, with no hints that was coming (thanks loads, Symantec  ).

The hint of it coming was it being bought out, this is common practice for Symantec, they buy something out and they have an additional customer base and then they merge any good bits of the product into their own equivalent.
Note in my signature Drive Image 7.1, this was the last version from PowerQuest before it was bought out and merged into Norton Ghost.

Which others (preferably freeware) are currently recommended?  I've tried (and ditched) both ZA and Comodo, and would like something that's a reasonable balance of security and user-friendliness.

Another vote for Outpost free I would be using that if I didn't have the Pro version. It is a good firewall with a light touch on the number of pop-ups you get.

[bob3160]

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=47172.msg397268#msg397268

[Lisandro]

Well, another product that dies due to Symantec...
Of course, why to do competition to their firewall?
Comodo 5 (with the sandbox and Defense+ at Safe Mode) isn't a "noisy" firewall anymore. You can go with it.

[YoKenny]

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=47172.msg397268#msg397268

After an initial test and after the first reboot after install, I've removed it.
It tied my system into knots.  Everything crawled and it took forever to finally get it un-installed.
Now the system is back to normal (using the Windows 7 firewall).

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=47172.msg397605#msg397605

Well, another product that dies due to Symantec...
Of course, why to do competition to their firewall?
Comodo 5 (with the sandbox and Defense+ at Safe Mode) isn't a "noisy" firewall anymore. You can go with it.

I prefer not to have my operating system BSOD with additional software.

[Lisandro]

I prefer not to have my operating system BSOD with additional software.

Why do you use avast then?
It also BSODs... and have memory leaks...

[YoKenny]

I prefer not to have my operating system BSOD with additional software.

Why do you use avast then?
It also BSODs... and have memory leaks...

I don't use Comodo Time Machine!

The last BSOD I had was on my XP Pro system with MBAM when avast V5 was just released and it was fixed quite promptly by AWIL support.

[Lisandro]

I don't use Comodo Time Machine!

Well, you're losing a terrific technology. Sorry you.

[YoKenny]

I don't use Comodo Time Machine!

Well, you're losing a terrific technology. Sorry you.

I have a secondary internal hard drive that I use Windows 7 backup that works great for me:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/1838/using-backup-and-restore-in-windows-7

I use Acronis True Image Home on my XP Pro system:
Top 4 Backup Software Programs
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/maintenance/tp/backup_software.htm

[Simion]

I prefer not to have my operating system BSOD with additional software.

Why do you use avast then?
It also BSODs... and have memory leaks...

I don't use Comodo Time Machine!

The last BSOD I had was on my XP Pro system with MBAM when avast V5 was just released and it was fixed quite promptly by AWIL support.

Who's AWIL? Your service provider?

[bob3160]

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=47172.msg397268#msg397268

After an initial test and after the first reboot after install, I've removed it.
It tied my system into knots.  Everything crawled and it took forever to finally get it un-installed.
Now the system is back to normal (using the Windows 7 firewall).

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=47172.msg397605#msg397605

I'm still using it on my laptop on Windows 7 (32bit) and I haven't experienced any of the
complaints you're making about Privatefirewall 7.

[rdmaloyjr]

Cheer up guys & gals,

The best & most user-friendly free fw is still with us.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_zonealarm_free/

[MikeBCda]

Thanks all.  Sounds like there was a teensy bit of "majority vote" for Outlook, so I've downloaded that and will give it a try soon's I get offline.  Hope the PC Tools one isn't too much of a headache to uninstall.

[wls]

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=47172.msg397268#msg397268

After an initial test and after the first reboot after install, I've removed it.
It tied my system into knots.  Everything crawled and it took forever to finally get it un-installed.
Now the system is back to normal (using the Windows 7 firewall).

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=47172.msg397605#msg397605

I'm still using it on my laptop on Windows 7 (32bit) and I haven't experienced any of the
complaints you're making about Privatefirewall 7.

I uninstalled PCTFWP since the latest news and am currently using Private Firewall as well. I initially had problems with Avast automatic virus updates not connecting but went into Settings and Updates and down to "Update Parameters" and checked "My Computer is always connected to the internet" and also down to "Proxy Settings" checked "Direct Connection(no proxy). Now Avast updates automatically with Private Firewall...no problem.
 Yes I agree that Outpost free is another good firewall to use with avast. Have also used it in the past with avast with no problems.