Is windows 7 firewall good enough, compared to special programs ?

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  1. Posts : 59
    Windows 7 Starter SP1 32bit
       #1

    Is windows 7 firewall good enough, compared to special programs ?


    Hi all.

    There are some good free antiviruses like avast or avira.

    Can i use them with windows 7 firewall together ?

    Because i wonder to know if there is a much difference between it and the firewall of internet security programs.

    How much good is this firewall ?

    Thanks.
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  2. Posts : 1,413
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit
       #2

    I would recommend AVAST!, running windows firewall on its own will never be enough, it is old and not very effective.
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  3. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #3

    The Windows 7 firewall is quite good and unless you have special needs there should be no need for any other.
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  4. Posts : 1,413
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit
       #4

    LMiller7 said:
    The Windows 7 firewall is quite good and unless you have special needs there should be no need for any other.
    I disagree to a point, Windows firewall is fine if you a very careful and have a few on demand scanners not to mention also knowing what your doing.., The average user who just clicks on anything and installs all the goodies that come with programs will end up ridden with adware and virus's etc, a good solid AV is a good way to go, less hassle and more protection.
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  5. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #5

    We need to be clear what is being discussed here, Windows firewall or an AV product.
    My post was in regard to the Windows firewall only. Of course a good AV product is necessary but that is a different matter entirely.
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  6. Posts : 1,413
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit
       #6

    Well thats an easy question.

    Answer: Av product.
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  7. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #7

    mj2000 said:
    Hi all.

    There are some good free antiviruses like avast or avira.

    Can i use them with windows 7 firewall together ?

    Because i wonder to know if there is a much difference between it and the firewall of internet security programs.

    How much good is this firewall ?

    Thanks.
    Avast and Avira work fine with Windows Firewall.
    Some AV programs have issues with some 3rd party firewalls.
    You could check the AV forum if you want to use a 3rd party firewall and see if people have issues.
    If you have a Router that should have a built in firewall.
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  8. Posts : 59
    Windows 7 Starter SP1 32bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thanks for the replies.

    And just want to mention that my question was only focused on windows 7 firewall and to know if its good enough or not.

    :)
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  9. Posts : 167
    Windows 7 x64 Home Premium SP1
       #9

    I use the Windows firewall only and I have no problems with it. I dumped my 3rd party firewall (Comodo) some time ago. But then again I don't visit that many sites and only download trusted software from trusted sites and only when I need them.
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  10. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #10

    It bears emphasizing that a firewall and AV software are very different things. They serve complimentary functions and you need both.

    The purpose of a firewall is to prevent unauthorized contact with your computer from an outside entity. It does this by examining the incoming data to determine if it is as a result of outside action or data that was requested by your computer software, such as the browser. It may also block access to the Internet by unauthorized processes. But the firewall has no interest in the data itself and has no means of determining if it is harmful or benign. Once a download has been initiated you are in exactly the same situation whether you have the ultimate firewall or none at all. It might be the most evil software imaginable but the hypothetical ultimate firewall will let it pass.

    Once data has entered your computer it is the turn of the AV software which attempts to determine it's nature. But malicious software has become extremely sophisticated in later years and this determination is by no means foolproof.

    The above is of course an enormous oversimplification intended to emphasize a point and should not be taken too literally.

    Is there a better firewall than Windows own? Absolutely, and it may even be free. I have not made a detailed examination of every firewall available so am not in a position to know what it might be. But I maintain that Windows firewall is more than good enough and unless you have some special requirements it will serve you well.
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