[Resolved] Off topic (firewalls)

[Para-Noid]

I use AIS which has a built in firewall. I am asking for those who use the "free" version and want something simple. Which free firewall is basically set it and forget it? IOW extremely easy to set-up and use. A free firewall that is pretty much idiot proof. Not that avast users are idiots which is not the case. Avast users are really quite smart. But a good firewall that is user friendly. Any input would be greatly appreciated.  

[Lisandro]

In my personal opinion:

Comodo
Online Armour
OutPost Free Security Suite

[sded]

I have also used Private Firewall and the Windows Firewall with Vista and have been happy with them.  If you want more from the Vista Firewall, you can use the advanced settings option, but generally unnecessary.

[Raveen Kool]

In my opinion there is no need of third party firewalls...

The windows firewall in vista and Win 7, are more advanced than xp..

If you configure the firewall well, windows firewall is way superior than others....

[Ashish Singh]

My personal suggestion is Outpost free

Its very very and very easy and install it do the settings and forget it
It will do the rest

[DarkMasters]

Windows Firewall in Windows 7 is the lightest and the best of all if you're able to set a tight custom rule in it. Though I must admit it's a bit daunting task to do for most normal PC user.

For set and forget type in Vista or 7:
1. Privatefirewall
2. Comodo (firewall component only, no D+)

[SafeSurf]

I prefer Online Armor, Outpost, if you have Win7/Vista then the Windows firewall. 

A lot depends on the user, if they want "feedback" (example programs allowed to access the Internet, ports open, etc.), ability to have beginner and advanced settings, but otherwise set it and forget it nice -- I'm not referring to pop-up's when I say "feedback."

[CraigB]

I prefer Online Armor, Outpost, if you have Win7/Vista more than the Windows firewall.
 

+1, both have superior protection with ease of use ( set and forget) 

[bob3160]

It always amazes me to see how many people enjoy adding things to their system
when what they want to accomplish is already built into the system.
In Windows 7, the firewall and defrag are just 2 examples.

[Lisandro]

It always amazes me to see how many people enjoy adding things to their system
when what they want to accomplish is already built into the system.
In Windows 7, the firewall and defrag are just 2 examples.

If they have the features you're looking for... Both firewall and defrag Windows are very limited on features. The configurability of the firewall, the boot time defragmentation, etc. etc.

[CraigB]

It always amazes me to see how many people enjoy adding things to their system
when what they want to accomplish is already built into the system.
In Windows 7, the firewall and defrag are just 2 examples.

Well for outbound protection the windows firewall is to awkward to bother with and i find my browsing speed is improved and more secure with outpost, the windows defragmenter is absolute rubbish imo, a scan with defraggler straight after the windows defrag showed an additional 17% defragmentation and another plus is the defrag time is only a third of what windows defrag is and defraggler also has boot time defrag.
Im amazed that people with windows 7 think that because they have the latest operating system it has the best built in features (rubbish)some good features yes but alot of them are far to be desired and there are several programs out there that i know of that vastly improve on on some of the windows 7 programs.

[DavidR]

Which I might say stems around the problem of anti-competition laws (whatever it is called in the USA), if MS provided a full features application that came bundled in the OS, then all hell beaks loose.

So they have features that are adequate for the task, but not anti-competitive and for many people that is enough. For the more savvy or discerning amongst us that isn't enough so we use other applications that are more user friendly, configurable, etc.

[CraigB]

Which I might say stems around the problem of anti-competition laws (whatever it is called in the USA), if MS provided a full features application that came bundled in the OS, then all hell beaks loose.

So they have features that are adequate for the task, but not anti-competitive and for many people that is enough. For the more savvy or discerning amongst us that isn't enough so we use other applications that are more user friendly, configurable, etc.

David you hit the nail on the head 

[hayc59]

It always amazes me to see how many people enjoy adding things to their system
when what they want to accomplish is already built into the system.
In Windows 7, the firewall and defrag are just 2 examples.

Sometime folks want mo' better running on their systems!
and alot of people dont trust Microsoft wares

[bob3160]

and alot of people dont trust Microsoft wares

So I guess you're running either Linux or you own an apple computer  
If you're OS is Windows, your remark doesn't make any sense.