Best Firewall

[seekermeister]

Due to problems with both the Outpost and Avast firewalls, I'm looking for a free firewall that works properly and reliably. I know that everybody has an opinion on this topic, but to be of use to me, I don't only need opinions, but the reasons for them. No, I don't expect an in-depth report, but simply the primary reason why one believes their firewall is better than others.

 

[Golden]

G'day seekmeister,

Well, I use the default Windows Firewall - the only reason, well, it just works. I don't have any problems or issues with it, and I think thats enough reason to use it.

Regards,
Golden

 

[A Guy]

I use the Comodo firewall with the Defense + on. Once it learns your system, it only asks when something unusual is asking permissions. It is highly rated, and I'm happy with it. A Guy

 

[seekermeister]

G'day seekmeister,

Well, I use the default Windows Firewall - the only reason, well, it just works. I don't have any problems or issues with it, and I think thats enough reason to use it.

Regards,
Golden

you are correct that it works...as far as it goes, but it only defends against inbound traffic, not outbound, like some malware.

 

[A Guy]

Actually, the Windows Seven Firewall does do outbound if you create rules for it. Many use the Windows 7 Firewall Control application to make this task easier. A Guy

 

[seekermeister]

Actually, the Windows Seven Firewall does do outbound if you create rules for it. Many use the Windows 7 Firewall Control application to make this task easier. A Guy

That's interesting, but since you use Comodo, I assume there is a reason that you don't use this?

 

[A Guy]

I see Comodo as a more complete firewall, and it's options are much easier to set up. It's Defense + is also another layer of security. I went to Comodo from Zone Alarm when I was using XP, and I found out how poorly ZA performed. When I got my 7 machine, I just used Comodo on that as well. And because it is still highly rated, found no reason to learn how to manually control the Windows firewall. A Guy

 

[seekermeister]

I tried Comodo once, a couple of years ago, and I can't now remember why, but I didn't like it. However, that is not an informed opinion, just a gut reaction on a very short trial. Your comment regarding it ease of use is important, because I don't understand firewall rules well enough to tackle them head on. That was the main reason that I liked Outpost, because you could set it in training, and it would automatically create it's own rules.

 

[logicearth]

Most third-party firewalls are overrated and take nothing but resources from your computer. You want outbound protection? Why? You don't have the sense to control what you install?

A router, which most consumer routers have built in firewalls and by default block all outside access unless established from within the network. This means pretty much all traffic from the outside is blocked. That makes most of the firewalls you install on your computer as resourcing clogging paper weight that do absolutely nothing but prompt for every application that accesses the network. Accessing the network doesn't mean its trying to connect to the internet either.

If you are really wanting to have a full blown firewall, forget running one on your computer, that is the worst way to go. You need to get the firewall as close to the edge of your network as possible, by the time they get to your computer...its a time bomb just waiting. In other words, a hardware firewall. Before the router if possible.

But in my opinion, anything more then the a consumer router firewall for a home user is verging in on paranoia. Your network and computers are insignificant for an attacker (of skill, not some script kiddy child) to focus on you.

 

[seekermeister]

While you are entitled to your opinion, it seems unnecessary to attempt to impose it by using denigrating comments. You can call it nonsensical, paranoia or anything else that you like, but it shall not influence me in the least.

 

[FranzB]

While you are entitled to your opinion, it seems unnecessary to attempt to impose it by using denigrating comments. You can call it nonsensical, paranoia or anything else that you like, but it shall not influence me in the least.

Oh dear........ i thought this was not happening on this forum. Logicearth may have a point with his last sentence of his posting. On the other hand being paranoid is not all that bad. Within limits it's better to be safe than sorry. You guys had a bad night?

 

[A Guy]

The written word is an imperfect method to convey ones intentions. People have their own posting styles, and I believe this is just an agree to disagree thing.

:focus:

A Guy

 

[FranzB]

There is a discussion by Heise Security (mentioned before in the thread "Some security checks and issues) about firewalls, with a reference to a firewall test by c't magazine. No third party firewall performed better than the Microsoft firewall.
Go to The H Security: News and Features,
then type in "firewalls" in their search function,
go to #6 of the list given.
Had problems giving a direct link here. It did not work.

 

[gautam7]

I am currently using online armor free. I did not use anything else so can't compare it with other. Online armor offer some good feature and easy to configure. You should take a look into it. IMO one should use only that firewall which they themself find easy to operate. Because if you can't configure your firewall properly your firewall won't be able to protect you, it doesn't matter how strong or good they are.

Some good firewall for consideration:

online armor
Comodo
private firewall

Edit: Right now online armor is using about 11- 12 Mb of RAM, which is not that bad.


With regards
Gautam

 

[dreamer]

I use Comodo firewall and as certain member said firewall eats up resources i have to disagree on that part.Even if routers have their own inbuilt firewall for me i still use Comodo for peace of mind and for extra layer of security.The Defence + option in Comodo is a nice feature and prompts you for action if any unrecognized program or file tries to access network.

Well thats my opinion

 

[seth500]

I believe the best firewall is any of them that you can configure the best and have a sound working knowledge of. It doesn't matter if you have the best firewall supposedly on the market if you don't know how to properly configure it.

 

[DBone]

I like W7 set to public. My router firewall is fully stealthed and passes all probe tests for invisibility. The reason I set my W7 firewall to public is to prevent my family's computers from infecting mine from behind my router firewall. I do not print or share files, so W7 on public is the ticket for me.

 

[logicearth]

While you are entitled to your opinion, it seems unnecessary to attempt to impose it by using denigrating comments. You can call it nonsensical, paranoia or anything else that you like, but it shall not influence me in the least.

Understand something, I setup firewalls for a living, for large corporations that actually have something to protect and keep secret. If you cannot handle my "opinion" oh well, deal with it. If it bothers you to be called paranoid then maybe you should not do things that make you seem paranoid. I'm not going to coddle you with fluffy bunnies and rainbows.

 

[FranzB]

There is a discussion by Heise Security (mentioned before in the thread "Some security checks and issues) about firewalls, with a reference to a firewall test by c't magazine. No third party firewall performed better than the Microsoft firewall.
Go to The H Security: News and Features,
then type in "firewalls" in their search function,
go to #6 of the list given.
Had problems giving a direct link here. It did not work.

This link works and will get you directly to the text:
Completely Protected: Sensible additions to your virus scanner - The H Security: News and Features

Sorry about that.

 

[seekermeister]

I just installed Comodo, and quickly discovered a reason not to like it. Before even restarting the system, it popped an alert that it had discovered a trojan. However, the window was so small, that it was impossible to see the full path to the "trojan". I went ahead and let it clean it, and the moment that I did so, GetFLV, which I had downloading a video disappeared, and all of the shortcuts to it became inoperable. i have been using GetFLV for quite a spell, and non of my other security software has ever squawked about it, therefore I seriously doubt Comodo's analysis. Since GetFLV is an important program for me, if Comodo doesn't like it, I don't like Comodo. Actually, I don't like any security software that doesn't fully identify what it is squawking about.