Here's a few to add on the list.
GhostWall FireWall
Free Firewall Download | Blocks Hackers Attempts, Identity Thefts, Spyware, Adware and Trojans
Ashampoo® FireWall FREE
I personally haven't use one of this. Just a recommendation i've found on another site.
Cheers.
If you want to be spammed endlessly then use "Free" ashampoo anything. I have used "Full Version" ashampoo software from discs published with magazines like PC Authority/User etc and found I get emails from ashampoo every second day asking me to buy this buy that.
So much so I have uninstalled the program and was promptly hit with a why did you uninstall the program etc from them.
Your choice.
Cheers
I too discovered W7FC and here are my comments:
a) the free version is very easy to use but it really is not adequate because it only allows "accept all" or "refuse all" options or allow in or out. No zones and no logging.
b) I (very briefly) tried the W7FC plus version and found it a little too confusing (even though I had used Zone Alarm for years in XP). Maybe I did not give it an adequate try because it was so brief a try.
c) in doing this I discovered that you must totally uninstall the plus version before re-installing the free version. Otherwise you get problems with blocking of ivP6, etc. I had wrongly assumed that because they were the same program one did not need to do so. Wrong!
I'm no expert in this but wonder
1) With Microsoft being such a target for attack, is it a problem that W7FC uses the same underlying engine as Windows 7's own firewall? Would be better to go with something like Comodo (ZA is getting a little long in the tooth) that is totally independent - always using a custom install and unselecting unwanted toolbars.
2) How important is the presence or absence of a HIPS module?
3) Other than avoiding the unwanted toolbars, is there any problem with Comodo free in W 7 ?
My 2 cents.
1. There is nothing wrong with the engine in Windows firewall. You do not need to be afraid of that. ZA does not yet play nice with Windows 7; I am sure that will be fixed down the road.
2. The firewall expert will have to answer this one.
3. Some have reported problems with Comodo and PCTools running with Win 7. I have run both and had no problems with either one on my system. And I avoided the toolbars. I am currently running Comodo. Like yourself, I simply want it for outbound protection.
I normally operate behind a hardware NAT firewall so need not really run any software firewall but I run Comodo firewall because on my home network other users have access and therefore I like to have the additional protection that this can bring.
Also with Netbooks and laptops that are used on "Other Peoples" networks such as Hotspots you never can be sure that the firewall is running and set correctly.
Comodo did have some issues with win7 during the early Beta stages but I have had no issues since this time.
To use Comodo, or any other professional standard firewall, you have to spend some time to learn it's operation and fine tune the options for the best compromise between protection and system usability.
For the majority of users behind a Hardware NAT firewall Windows Firewall is adequate, (windows firewall control is a good addition for better control).
ZA free now plays nice with Win7 x64. Just make sure to do the custom install and read everything before the install. It wants to install a zone alarm toolbar which you can opt out of in the custom setup, it also wants to change your search engine to Google...so as always....be sure to read the fine print.
for personal use,windows firewall does it job so far for me but to be more secure,i add comodo too. with normal setting
Well stated, Nigel. I, too, use Comodo. My main reason for using it is the ease of blocking/controlling outgoing internet connections. I have had no problems with Comodo and Win 7. I, too, use Mae Lyne's notebook at WiFi hotspots and I like to know that computer is protected.
I am glad to hear this. I like ZA's interface and ease of use.
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