best free firewall to use with avast.

[Arnold72]

hello avast forum.
Im a new member to this forum so a very big hello to you all.
Ive only been using avast for a week now and i must say for a free program it is simply wonderful.
Ive conducted a few personal tests myself and avast has impressed me hugely.
Could anyone recommend a good free firewall please.?
I was using the comodo firewall but i dont like the product and currently am using online armor free version.
Am i ok to carry on using online armor with avast.?

Many Thanks.

[Para-Noid]

Online Armor works fine with avast. The only issue with OA is that it is currently blocking Flash Player updates. That is why I switched to Private Firewall. I have provided some links to various firewalls that work well with avast.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_outpost_firewall/
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Firewall/Comodo-Personal-Firewall.shtml
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Firewall/Privatefirewall.shtml

I will leave it up to you to do your own research. Hope this helps. 

[Mayflower]

Comodo Firewall works fine.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Firewall/Comodo-Personal-Firewall.shtml
http://www.filehippo.com/download_comodo/

[bob3160]

PC Tools Firewall Plus is another candidate:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Firewall/PC-Tools-Firewall-Plus.shtml

[Arnold72]

hi.
Thank you so much for the replies.
Ive tried private firewall but for some reason it does not stealth my ports like online armor does.
Ive conducted a probe test at the gibson research website and online armor stealths the ports but i cannot achieve the same with private firewall which is the only reason i stopped using it which is a pity as i liked the program.
As for comodo well call me a knit pick but the GUI looks kind of empty without the anti-virus component.
I would like to stick with avast as i think it offers more protection than the comodo product.

thanks again.

[Pondus]

I can't pass a firewall test, what should I do?
http://ask-leo.com/i_cant_pass_a_firewall_test_what_should_i_do.html


What is the Shields Up Test?
http://onlinearmorpersonalfirewall.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-is-shields-up-test.html

The problem is that nowadays many computers are behind modems, routers or even hardware firewalls making it very difficult, or impossible to test.

So why does my software firewall fail?

Before we start talking about software firewalls failing, how do you know the data is even reaching your software firewall? Remember above where we talked about the pathway that the packets take? There's the problem. If you have a router, or a modem - or your ISP does anything tricky - or, if you are plugged into someone's wirless network in a hotel, the packets may not actually reach your computer.

[Para-Noid]

Try this link. It might help. http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-firewall.htm

[Para-Noid]

@ Pondus  I ran the "ShieldsUp" test at GRC with both Private Firewall and OA Free. Private Firewall did better. They both failed at the port 443. Which is a https port/connection not http. Private Firewall was much more stealthy than OA Free. For what it's worth. 

[schmidthouse]

My version of Comodo with Defence+ applied stealths ALL Ports and works great with AIS on my XP.

[avoidz]

I don't know what OS you are using, but I still use Sygate Personal Firewall Pro with XP and it still passes tests and works fine (though the signatures no longer update).

[Pondus]

i pass the test with no firewall   
the reason......see reply #5

[avoidz]

i pass the test with no firewall   
the reason......see reply #5

Yeah, that's true; my router has some built-in firewall too. Maybe I'm doubling up, but I've kept Sygate around for almost 10 years and keep in installed out of habit

[Pondus]

i get the same results what ever i do....bc it is the firewall in my ISP box that is tested
i cant remove the box and test, if i do i have no internet
the firewall in my D-Link 635 is also on...by default and i dont see any change when i turn it off

so i dont see any reason for me to use anything other then windows firewall at home

[bob3160]

so i dont see any reason for me to use anything other then windows firewall at home

One good reason would be to protect your outbound traffic. 

[avoidz]

Yes, I always prefer to see what programs are trying to transmit information rather than just block unwanted incoming connections.