Need advice for free antivirus+free firewall combo

[antares]

I was thinking of the free ZoneAlarm firewall+free Avast! Antivirus combination. What do you think? Any better choice? Thanks.

 

[tw33k]

See http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/72070-whats-best-anti-virus.html#post633595 & http://www.sevenforums.com/security-basics/75541-free-software-firewalls-windows-7-a.html

 

[not so gray matter]

I don't recommend Zone Alarm products anymore. They've had too many bugs w/ Win7. My best recommendation for a firewall would be Comodo. Anti-Virus is another story, either Avast or Microsoft Security essentials probably.

Check the results of AV-Comparitives tests for the best anti-virus
http://www.av-comparatives.org/

You'll also need a spyware/malware scanner. I recommend SuperAntiSpyware and/or Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

 

[antares]

Comodo does not seem to offer a free standalone firewall, but rather a firewall+antivirus suite. So should a I disable the antivirus of Comodo to let the other antivirus work properly?

 

[hackerman1]

yes, only install Comodo´s firewall.
it´s very good and it works well on W7.

but, do *NOT* install the "Hop-Surf" toolbar !!!

it´s considered a security risk by experts !
for more tips, take a look at my signature...

 

[antares]

I installed in my Win7 netbook the Comodo Firewall+Microsoft Security Essentials, and so far they seem to have little or no impact in system performance. I also like Comodo Firewall's deep level of customization, and freedom to manually set the rules for any outgoing/incoming connection request. I'm now tempted to replace NIS2008 with Comodo+MSE in my XP desktop, it will probably improve boot time.

 

[Francis93]

I installed in my Win7 netbook the Comodo Firewall+Microsoft Security Essentials, and so far they seem to have little or no impact in system performance. I also like Comodo Firewall's deep level of customization, and freedom to manually set the rules for any outgoing/incoming connection request. I'm now tempted to replace NIS2008 with Comodo+MSE in my XP desktop, it will probably improve boot time.

Uninstalling your obsolete Norton IS 2008, and installing Microsoft Security Essentials will dramatically improve your boot time.

 

[antares]

Uninstalling your obsolete Norton IS 2008, and installing Microsoft Security Essentials will dramatically improve your boot time.

Yes. it's obsolete, but NIS2008's firewall is rock solid and very stable. Nevertheless you're right, it's a system hog, apparently NIS2010 is a big improvement in this respect.

 

[antharr]

Avast+Windows Firewall Control.

Just a recommendation and I do advise experimenting with different combos to suit your taste.

 

[Kevinsilhouette]

I personally like comodo firewall. Although you do have to keep in mind no matter what any one tells you they are just suggestions in the end its your choice. I am currently using Online armor 64 bit and Microsoft security essentials with Malware bytes and CA antispyware from Yahoo tool bar. But, i have used comodo and was fond of it.

 

[richc46]

I don't recommend Zone Alarm products anymore. They've had too many bugs w/ Win7. My best recommendation for a firewall would be Comodo. Anti-Virus is another story, either Avast or Microsoft Security essentials probably.

Check the results of AV-Comparitives tests for the best anti-virus
AV-Comparatives - Independent Tests of Anti-Virus Software - Welcome to AV-Comparatives.org

You'll also need a spyware/malware scanner. I recommend SuperAntiSpyware and/or Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

In addition a driver in Zone Alarm has been causing BSODs. MS has now issued a fix, but I do not know how effective it is.

 

[Layback Bear]

A lot of people are having very good results with Windows 7 built in firewall including me. Many also use MSE and there reports are very good. I would recommend trying both of these.

 

[richc46]

I agree Ladyback Bear. It is the best in my estimation.

 

[Keiichi25]

I'm experimenting with MSE and the Windows Firewall with my laptop to see how effective it is.

 

[richc46]

If you have any questions start a new thread and ask. Most members know about that AV software.

 

[Keiichi25]

Not really much of a question... Lately, I've been disillusioned with Symantec and McAfee, mostly over the clutter. I have heard some comments on MSE being good, but I've always been on the fence with MS' AV and Security for the most part.

Now that I am on Win 7 and looking at little at the fact that Windows Firewall interface looks a little better than before, I might give it a chance to tweak around with it.

Normally, I have hidden behind a router, not using UPNP or much port forwarding, which has done a reasonable amount of protection with the exception of the fun web based injection methodologies which I now counter using NoScript and Ad Blocker.

On my main system, I got into getting Eset Smart Security (Which I opted in due to my Nod32 sub expiring and that was recommended by some friends as a lightweight AV), which a few times, I am contemplating not continuing when it runs out near the end of this year, mostly cause I was unimpressed by the advance configuration of the Firewall and some nuisances with certain protection (like ICMP pure blocking, which made one Net ping/traceroute program I like to use not work unless I disabled it.)

When I was working at another company, I was used to configuring Checkpoint Firewall (Larger company firewall decision) and also tweaking MS ISA Server, so mostly used to that sort of interface compared to the bland and blah one that XP had. I also played around with ZoneAlarm for another user on XP and found it created some annoyances trying to get it to parse some activities that I needed it to do for Checkpoint VPN for the XP side.

But like I said, I will have to play around with the Windows 7 Firewall version as well as MSE.

 

[Pusspa]

A lot of people are having very good results with Windows 7 built in firewall including me. Many also use MSE and there reports are very good. I would recommend trying both of these.

thats what i use too! although i did download MSE beta after reading here on sevenforums that it was more comprehensive than the original MSE.

 

[malexous]

Yes. it's obsolete, but NIS2008's firewall is rock solid and very stable. Nevertheless you're right, it's a system hog, apparently NIS2010 is a big improvement in this respect.

And 2011 which has just released is even more of an improvement. If you still have an active subscription, upgrade for free here: Norton Update Center

 

[yowanvista]

Upgrade to NIS2011 or use MSE/Avast5+comodo firewall/Windows firewall

 

[antares]

I replaced NIS2008 with Avast Free+Comodo Firewall Free. They seem to be working fine, I checked Shields Up and the firewall is keeping my system Stealth on all ports. Avast+Comodo are using the same amount of memory as NIS2008 (no improvement there). Boot time improved by a few seconds, but this is subjective, I haven't tested scientifically.
Before installing Avast I tried MSE, but its real time engine is a CPU/Memory hog in my system (WinXP Pro SP3) so I opted for Avast.
In my Win7 32bit netbook I'm using MSE+Comodo Firewall, both running smoothly.