Need a good firewall.

[centy]

Hey all -

I'm looking for a good firewall.

I had Zone Alarm Pro, but the update "subscription" expired and I opted not to renew. Now, it has turned into 'hassleware' with an annoying repeating message. I think I'm done with them.

I want something that is not a resource hog. And I don't need an 'all -in -one' internet security suite, either.

Any suggestions?

 

[digger]

If you don't want a resource hog, go with hardware. "Cable router" between the PC and your cable or DSL modem.

It's the same box that you'd use to share your connection with more than one PC; but even if you only have one PC it's still worth having.

 

[advanced-stealth]

Hardwire is the best way to go and not slow down the connection.

Comodo works well as a firewall, yet is tough when installing new programs. Need to be patient.

 

[jumpshot]

AVG is opensource, free, and effective.

 

[centy]

thanks all.

ymmm nice avatar jump ^^

 

[bearfx]

I use Kerio Personal Firewall v 2.1.5 (free). It is XP only, but works well and uses very few resources.

 

[gjohnson5]

I just started using this product called bitdefender total security and it's really light weight. It has a nice firewall and it does catch alot of virus / trojan that other programs I've used did not.

And I agree with digger that I would use a router that has packet filtering abilities on top of the firewall on your PC. Go with both not one or the other.

 

[eljesse]

Yes a cable router do the work but if You have a laptop and You go to a cyber-coffee or public internet well You need software firewall right.!
Good comercial firewall with antivirus is mcafee but the retail version is expensive so if You get the OEM version it's cheap You just get the cd. Good option to buy it is mwave here is the link:
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewproduct.asp?PID=SW-MCAFEE&updepts=SW&DNAME=Software

JessE

 

[drsketch]

If you don't want a resource hog, go with hardware. "Cable router" between the PC and your cable or DSL modem.

It's the same box that you'd use to share your connection with more than one PC; but even if you only have one PC it's still worth having.

QFT, dont waste your time with a software firewall.. If running Windows Xp, Vista, or linux your system already has a firewall built in.. All these AV companies designed these internet security and software firewall programs to make money and scare the public into thinking they need more crap on their computers than they truly need.

 

[rshift]

Most firewalls are configured improperly right out of the box, but here goes some worthwhile firewalls that'll protect you and not put a huge load on your system resources.

Windows: The Zone Alarm retail version is much better than the free version with more features. Kerio is also a good alternative for free and provides proper protection without hogging your cpu power. The SP2 firewall adds little security to a system so just keep it disabled.

Linux: Iptables are your best friends. Learn how to use it and you'll be fine. There's even a gui frontend for it if you don't want to look at an xterm/aterm window the whole time.