Can anyone recommend a good FREE firewall? I've been using Zone Alarm for years and I've always been happy with it, but the latest update is causing some issues with Firefox. Pages won't load on start-up and after a thorough investigation involving un-installing and re-installing software I've discovered Zone Alarm to be the problem. So, can anyone recommend a good alternative? Is Comodo any good? Thank you
It only protects you from inbound threats. It doesn't allow you to control which applications access the internet, which means malware can connect to the internet from your computer.
haven't used it in a while, but TinyPersonal Firewall used to be ok. http://www.download.com/Tiny-Personal-Firewall/3000-10435_4-10266527.html
Mi dad uses this http://www.download.com/Comodo-Firewall-Pro/3000-10435_4-10460704.html?tag=mncol;pop&cdlPid=10987485
In combination with AVG & MS Windows Defender (all free) I think Windows Firewall is more than adequate (providing you are using a broadband router as opposed to a usb modem).
That's not the job of a Firewall. And Windows firewall IS adequate, depending upon what you are using your PC for... However, since you are set in your ways on this. And you don't want to use Zone Alarm, then Prisma is by far one of the best firewalls you can have. I work in IT and use Prisma a lot.
It may not be the job of a firewall But why should I settle for a firewall that doesn't do it, when I can get one that does? I like to know if any software on my PC is trying to access the internet. It's an excellent way to know if your computer has any malware or spyware. I believe it's an invaluable feature, as do all the experts whose articles I have read on the subject. Thanks for the info anyway. *edit* plus it lets you know of any programmes that are running in the background such as update modules that numerous software companies bundle in with their programmes. I like to know if a programme is updating and I like to control it myself. To be honest mate, I'm surprised someone in IT would recommend against such a feature.
Where did I recommend against it? I didn't. Again, most 'average' people will find that Windows Firewall is more than adequate. Why wouldn't it be? Most people don't know how to install/work around 3rd party firewalls, so Windows firewall is built with this in mind. For the more technically advanced amongst us, and for those of us that are probably accessing some dark corners of the web, then Windows firewall is probably not the best. For Malware/Spyware, I simply use AVG - it updates constantly and works in conjunction with most firewalls very well. Hence, I go back to my original post. A firewalls job is to stop malicious transmissions from going into your PC, not protecting it once it is already inside, that's where AVG is miles ahead of any 3rd party firewall, mainly, because it is it's forte.
Gerron Linux. No viruses, spyware or nowt an it's free!</p> I've been using an ancient version of Zone Alarm (as well as 'aif a dozen other sodding anti-spam/virus programs) on Windoze XP and not had any trouble. </p>
If Malware is being stopped from coming in by your firewall and virus checker, how can it be there to cause an outbound threat? I honestly think you can have too much security stuff on your pc. My father-in-law's pc is bristling with Norton stuff and he is constantly having one conflict after another. Lost count of the number of times he's had to do a reformat.
