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Time: 18:50 - Mar 08, 2007     Asked by: wdwcuwa      Status: Answered      Points: 150   

Suggestions for a Great Software Firewall

I currently have a hardware firewall from a router on my home network, but there are up to five other computers routinely on our network. Since those computers are not run by people who are necessarily particularly careful or computer savvy, there is always the possibility that one of them is compromised, so I do not get any protection from the hardware firewall. In particular, if one of their computers is owned by a hacker, the hacker could easily probe the internal network. For example, it might notice that its IP address is 192.168.0.5 and it might check 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.0.2 until it had found a computer, and then start probing. I figure that the hardware firewall in itself is not sufficient.

I am extra careful about security right now because I have had a bunch of alarms about viruses on my laptop. My computer comes out as clean under various scans, and I cannot think of anything else to do to make sure that it is cleaner, but I definitely want to be very careful. For this reason, I have a slight preference for a firewall that detects outgoing traffic. However, the preference is not that strong, and Windows Firewall is something I would consider.

I would also use this computer on a very large university network. There are many, many users behind the firewall for that network and I can only assume that a significant number of them have been completely compromised so that there is a good chance that there will be attacks from behind the firewall on that network as well. Thus, though I love my hardware firewall, I think that I need some sort of software firewall in addition.

So, do you have any suggestions for a stand-alone firewall? I am really only interested in a software firewall, and am looking for something that is not bloat ware, and that is not going to come with lots of extra programs that are always running in the background; yet, at the same time, it should provide first rate protection from attacks. I have a serious virus checker (NOD32) and would love a software firewall that will compliment that nicely.

It would be very helpful if you could include with your suggestion links to different sites that review the product and compare it to other similar products.

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Well the few software firewalls I have used are

1. Zone Alarm http://www.zonealarm.com
2. Sygate (not available anymore but can still download from http://www.filehippo.com)
3. ISP's free software

Now I used to use Zone Alarm but got pissed off with it, its vector engine or whatever it was called, kept messing up my PC. Apart from that, it was a very good firewall, great config options. Lots of people use it and didnt suffer problems so perhaps you can evaluate it? They have a free version available.


Ive used the ISP's one, but its limited and so I now have been using (for quite some time now) Sygate. It was initially from Symantec (and not part of crappy Norton either!)

Its a little obtrusive at times with regards to popups but you get used to it.

How I test myself is to use http://grc.com and use the online tests. So far so good, Im clean as a whistle! and with using AVG for antivirus/spyware, my PC is in good health. I also use CCleaner to remove excess crap, and occasionally System Mechanic (which has a firewall but didnt like it).

Now if u go to filehippo, u can see lots of other software as well, so its a case of trialling all and see which one suits you best.

Remember to test yourself using grc.com


Best of luck!

Expert:

nidhi

Date:

May 08, 2007

Time:

13:10

 

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I agree with nidhi as to Zone Alarm.

I would use:

Firewall: Zone Alarm Free (install and forget)

Antivirus: Nod32 (very good) or Avira (very good; free)

Antispyware: Ad-Aware Free (non-resident) or Spyware Terminator (resident). I think you won't need a resident one, so Ad-Aware (once or twice a week, or even with less frequency) is the best and easiest for you.

Expert:

orionb

Date:

May 09, 2007

Time:

14:18

 

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orionb, have u ever tried AVG as a antivirus? Its very good. They have a free antispyware now, thats pretty good also.
I used to use Ad-aware but found avg and xoftspy better since it seems to remove more than ad-aware. I got caught by this browser hijacker and the only thing that worked to remove it was adware away. Who would of thought that eh. AVG Antispyware wasnt around then so cant verify whether it would work on that or not.

Expert:

nidhi

Date:

May 09, 2007

Time:

14:49

 

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Yes, I've tried it. In fact, it is installed in many computers at work. It is a good antivirus, with low memory usage (like Nod32 and Avira). I have also tried Kaspersky (experts say it is the best, but I didn't like it). I was using Avira (Antivir) some years ago, but it had to be updated manually, so I used Nod32 for some time. Then I wanted a totally free one and, when I read Avira had got the best results in http://www.av-comparatives.org/, I tried it again: Its update and detection have improved a lot . I won't say it is the best. We choose an antivirus, a car, or any other things because we like their aspect or behaviour...

As to Ad-Aware, I like it because it is non-resident in memory. Many memory resident applications show annoying messages when working or installing programs...

I use it at work (once a week, and it usually finds nothing at all because there is nothing to be found). At home, I use Kubuntu and no antivirus at all.

I haven't tried xoftspy, but I've read it is very good against spyware, trojans, keyloggers,...

Best regards.

Expert:

orionb

Date:

May 11, 2007

Time:

18:34

 

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Sorry for the bad link. This is OK:

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Expert:

orionb

Date:

May 18, 2007

Time:

16:11

 

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wdwcuwa, please close this question and distribute the points.
If you didn't get a solution to your problem or you found it yourself, please leave a comment here to let the experts know.
Thanks,
Quomon Admin

Expert:

admin

Date:

Jun 16, 2007

Time:

16:08

 

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Question Answered

This question has been answered, and points have been rewarded to the following experts:

nidhi: 80
orionb: 70

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