It's not the SYSTEM but it's the USER whose the problem

Good point jimbo,

But i will have to disagree. For example, I use Comodo Internet security, and it is extremely useful. Even with all my security (Malwarebytes, spybot, comodo), i was still hit with the go.google.com virus, and it was crippling. I couldnt get it off. But, i used the firewall, and i was able to block the incoming IP address used to re-direct my searches. I like a firewall, also, because it tells you WHENEVER you have something going in or out. You never have to wonder one bit, because there is a log you can always refer back to. Very useful. IMO

Thanks,
Ben

jimbo45 said:

Hi all

Actually for a HOME computer I've never seen the reason for a Firewall - usually gets in the way when testing networking etc etc.

If you have a decent ROUTER which blocks all open Inward coming ports except the ones you allow like RDP I'm not sure what actual use the firewall is.

For a Corporate or business scenario with Interconnected networks then it's a different ball game.

Something like MSE will prevent unauthorised changes to registry etc etc.

Cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

You are so right , I bought and sold on EBay for over 3 years and when I got my 1st Email from PayPal asking me to update my account, I got right on the phone and they told me, we will Never ask you to update your account online. In my 15 years or so of the PC relm I have never gotten a virus, worm, trojan, or any of these so called phantom intruders. Like the post says, be very careful what YOU do, read everything b4 you download and you WILL be OK.

severedsolo said:

well i use Zone Alarm Personal Firewall basically because it tells you whenever something tries to "phone home" and block it, its amazing how many things try to connect to the internet during installation, example games, nearly all the installers try to phone home without needing to, Windows Firewall lets them through because it trusts them, ZA asks each and every time

Click to expand...

I agree with you. I was using Windows' firewall, which is a good one; but I miss being able to easily control outgoing programs. You can do this through the Windows firewall; but it is not easy. I tried the PCTools firewall; but it does not offer the outgoing control that I want. I will probably go back to ZA. I am behind a router and the hardware firewall is very good.

Hey Carl,
Try using Comodo. I recomend it to everyone who has a bit of computer knowledge. I have been using it for about 2 years and have had only one problem, which i sent them an email about, they responded within the hour, and it was solved within the next 24 hours. Absolutly insane customer support, even considering it is 100% free!!!

Let me know if ya need any help with the inital set-up,
Ben

CarlTR6 said:

severedsolo said:

well i use Zone Alarm Personal Firewall basically because it tells you whenever something tries to "phone home" and block it, its amazing how many things try to connect to the internet during installation, example games, nearly all the installers try to phone home without needing to, Windows Firewall lets them through because it trusts them, ZA asks each and every time

Click to expand...

I agree with you. I was using Windows' firewall, which is a good one; but I miss being able to easily control outgoing programs. You can do this through the Windows firewall; but it is not easy. I tried the PCTools firewall; but it does not offer the outgoing control that I want. I will probably go back to ZA. I am behind a router and the hardware firewall is very good.

Click to expand...

Hi there
I've slightly changed my opinion since the original post -- mainly due to the changing technology of web sites and "Social Engineering".

So I'd install something like MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) or Microsoft Forefront Client security -- both very similar. Small footprint and almost zero CPU usage.

I use these essentially for REAL TIME protection. -- If a Virus DID get on to my machine then I'd just ZERO the disk (write Binary zeros to it) and restrore from a CLEAN image -- I do NOT trust in any way ANY virus CLEANSING stuff -- I'd always be "uncertain" and wouldn't trust the machine again.

Real time protection is now a necessary evil with Rogue web sites being able to code all sorts of trickery which current Browser technology isn't very good at detecting when you get directed to a "Rogue" website if a good website has been hacked or compromised.

I hope the next stage of Browser evolution has Real time security built in to it.


For outgoing programs (Internet access) on home networks a decent Router will have good logging and firewall facilities which will work for your entire LAN whatever OS's you've installed.

You can also block specific websites and IP addresses as well with decent Routers -- saves having to re-set this all up if you re-install windows etc.

Being careful is Nr 1 of course - but the main problem now is in "Social Engineering" type of attacks -- which are not so easily defended against.

"Classical Viruses" etc aren't really that much of a problem anymore if you don't use torrents etc and DON'T OPEN EMAIL ATTACHMENTS FROM UNKNOWN SOURCES.

Cheers
jimbo

Neverhavemoney said:

Hey Carl,
Try using Comodo. I recomend it to everyone who has a bit of computer knowledge. I have been using it for about 2 years and have had only one problem, which i sent them an email about, they responded within the hour, and it was solved within the next 24 hours. Absolutly insane customer support, even considering it is 100% free!!!

Let me know if ya need any help with the inital set-up,
Ben

CarlTR6 said:

severedsolo said:

well i use Zone Alarm Personal Firewall basically because it tells you whenever something tries to "phone home" and block it, its amazing how many things try to connect to the internet during installation, example games, nearly all the installers try to phone home without needing to, Windows Firewall lets them through because it trusts them, ZA asks each and every time

Click to expand...

I agree with you. I was using Windows' firewall, which is a good one; but I miss being able to easily control outgoing programs. You can do this through the Windows firewall; but it is not easy. I tried the PCTools firewall; but it does not offer the outgoing control that I want. I will probably go back to ZA. I am behind a router and the hardware firewall is very good.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I will give it a try next week when I get back home. I will give you a shout if I have problems setting it up.

Jimbo,

Viruses can enter any way. A simple google search can infect your computer. Its a matter of not only how safe you are or careful, but also how reliable you av software is and if it has all of the latest definitions.

I am now giving COMODO a try.

CarlTR6 said:

I am now giving COMODO a try.

Click to expand...

Hallo Carl, The whole package? or just the Firewall or Firewall & Defense+ ?

Just the firewall. I usually do not like security suites.

CarlTR6 said:

Just the firewall. I usually do not like security suites.

Click to expand...

I have used the Firewall only for a couple of years now and like it.

I like being able to see ingoing/outgoing traffic from the icon in the system tray also being able to quickly write outgoing rules as i am not behind a router.

As you have used Zone Alarm before i am sure you will appreciate Comodo Firewall i will be interested in your feedback after you have become comforatable with it.

Best wishes

So far, it is very similar to PCTools firewall. I prefer the ease of controlling programs that ZA offers without writing rules. However, I am going to delve into the rules and give it a shot. ZA's method is lot easier in my opinion.

No such thing as safe browsing anymore, any website can be infected easily. Keeping a system fully patched is a good idea.

A Big Case of ...OOPS... - Following the White Rabbit Blog -

.

Mombodog said:

No such thing as safe browsing anymore, any website can be infected easily. Keeping a system fully patched is a good idea.

A Big Case of ...OOPS... - Following the White Rabbit Blog -

.

Click to expand...

Spot on.

it's the USER whose the problem

Click to expand...

quite right.......an interesting read here too... talks in a similar vein...
The Weakest Computer Security Link | CTO Edge

While exploits targeting holes in computer software are on daily order, we are presently seeing a rise in social engineering techniques. Computer users are relatively easily duped into downloading a slew of malware - ranging from rogue antivirus solutions, bogus applications, free music to adult content. In order to view this content, many of these “apps” require the user to first install a video codec or ActiveX component, which makes the user into easy prey for encrypted, password-protected threats.

Social engineering, in short, encompasses a set of fraudulent techniques, strongly aided by a psychological aspect, with the aim to trick computer users into performing a desired action.

The human predicament

The issue of social engineering is fast becoming the topic of the day. The fact that we humans are social creatures predisposes us to become the weakest link in the proverbial security chain.

Click to expand...

the biggest security hole is between keyboard and chair. in any OS.

Uranus said:

the biggest security hole is between keyboard and chair. in any OS.

Click to expand...

No doubt about it.