Good firewall program?

[ttthomasss123]

So I have been using Comodo Internet Security, but I think it has been causing some problems with the OS. It made everything run slow. either it was the firewall, or nvidia drivers... I reinstalled Windows 7 Pro x64 (formatted hd and did clean install), and everything is snappy and fast like it was in the beginning. The thing that I am having trouble with, is that with the RC, I used Comodo, and had the Nvidia drivers and all that, and it never was slow like this was before the reinstall. I don't think I could have messed anything up in the system files, because I never did anyhting to them.

Bottom line, I'm looking for a good, free firewall. Let me know what you guys think!

 

[kelmeldel]

Comodo and ZoneAlarm
have free good firewalls.

 

[Fliplip]

Why not use the built in firewall?

 

[harpua]

I use the firewall part of Comodo Internet Security and it doesn't slow my system down. In fact I think it is an excellent firewall that has passed all the leak tests I've thrown at it with flying colors. There must have been some incorrect configuration that was causing a problem. I would just try to install it again.

Btw, I have noticed that Comodo (and also some AV apps) does/do not upgrade well with W7 upgrade installs. Ime, it/they always needs to be uninstalled and reinstalled following an upgrade install to W7 to get it/them to work properly again. But that is not really a big issue for most.

 

[HughShaw]

I think that Comodo Firewall is one of the best firewalls out there right now. I think many people don't use the antivirus that comes with it, but the firewall alone works wonders.

 

[Barman58]

I am actually trialling the complete Comodo internet security suite here and see no slow down over the alternatives.

I waited for a year or so for the actual AV component to mature before I would trust it with my data.

I now run the Firewall and defence plus which are IMO the more important techniques to allow me to monitor my system for malware attacks and the backup of the integrated AV is useful.

I will admit that for someone who wants a Fit & Forget system then Comodo is probably not the best choice but for someone who is serious about security and is prepared to pay the price in time spent then I would recommend Comodo without issue

 

[HughShaw]

One of the biggest gripes people have with Defense+ is the sheer number to pop-up notifications. I think the OP will be fine if only the firewall portion of Comodo is used. I've since disabled Defense+ (Firewall only) and just trust Avast to detect any malware. I haven't had any problems since as Avast has caught everything.

Comodo Firewall + Avast Antivirus = Best protection!

 

[Dinesh]

Why not use the built in firewall?

 

[harpua]

I just routinely run defense plus in training mode (it just learns everything without alerting you of anything in training mode) and just turn up the protection level when playing around with something new and untrusted that I want to use defense plus to see what it's going to do to my system.

 

[harpua]

Why not use the built in firewall?

Cause I don't think it's as good as 3rd party solutions like Comodo, but of course I could be wrong about that.

 

[HughShaw]

I just routinely run defense plus in training mode (it just learns everything without alerting you of anything in training mode) and just turn up the protection level when playing around with something new and untrusted that I want to use defense plus to see what it's going to do to my system.

Hmm...sounds feasible. I will give defense+ one more try.

 

[Barman58]

One point about the Windows firewall - it is a completely different product from that in XP or even Vista and will give a good basic protection without too much user intervention.

I am more concerned about my own security as I have to, sometimes, in the course of my work, visit certain sites that I would not do by choice .

Careful action by the user is still the best anti malware solution out there

This reason alone is sufficient for me to be prepared to pay a certain cost for the additional peace of mind. This cost is the one of time rather than the straight cost of a paid solution as Comodo provides as good a solution IMO as others charge for.

Yes there are a lot of prompts but i personally prefer this as it keeps me informed of the status of my system. These prompts do of course decrease dramatically with time as the system learns what is normal for you.

I also perform regular sweeps with a non resident anti-malware product to check for anything that is missed

For the average user the use of Windows Firewall and Microsoft security essentials is an adequate solution coupled with a certain amount of user thought. It is certainly a lot better than a lot of systems I see where the user is relient on a free trial that came with the system a year ago and ran out 9 months ago

 

[hackerman1]

hi !

harpua: "I just routinely run defense plus in training mode (it just learns everything without alerting you of anything in training mode)"

that´s not a very good idea, because then it "accepts" everything...

it´s only recommended to run i "training-mode" for a short period of time after it´s been installed, or after you have installed new software, that is has to learn the behavior of.

go up 1 or 2 steps to "clean" / "safe" instead, then switch to "training" when you have installed new software, then switch back as soon as possible, after a day or two.

i run in "safe-mode" and i switch to "training" before i install something (to reduce pop-up´s, ) so i don´t see many of them.

 

[Bio]

PCTools

So I have been using Comodo Internet Security, but I think it has been causing some problems with the OS. It made everything run slow. either it was the firewall, or nvidia drivers... I reinstalled Windows 7 Pro x64 (formatted hd and did clean install), and everything is snappy and fast like it was in the beginning. The thing that I am having trouble with, is that with the RC, I used Comodo, and had the Nvidia drivers and all that, and it never was slow like this was before the reinstall. I don't think I could have messed anything up in the system files, because I never did anyhting to them.

Bottom line, I'm looking for a good, free firewall. Let me know what you guys think!

PcTools Internet security suite....works GREAT!

 

[rogermac]

Windows Firewall

I just ran the windows firewall on Steve Gibsons sight "Shields Up" and it passed with flying colors. Goodby Comodo. nag,nag,nag....Here's the link.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

 

[ken9122]

One point about the Windows firewall - it is a completely different product from that in XP or even Vista and will give a good basic protection without too much user intervention.

I am more concerned about my own security as I have to, sometimes, in the course of my work, visit certain sites that I would not do by choice .

Careful action by the user is still the best anti malware solution out there

This reason alone is sufficient for me to be prepared to pay a certain cost for the additional peace of mind. This cost is the one of time rather than the straight cost of a paid solution as Comodo provides as good a solution IMO as others charge for.

Yes there are a lot of prompts but i personally prefer this as it keeps me informed of the status of my system. These prompts do of course decrease dramatically with time as the system learns what is normal for you.

I also perform regular sweeps with a non resident anti-malware product to check for anything that is missed

For the average user the use of Windows Firewall and Microsoft security essentials is an adequate solution coupled with a certain amount of user thought. It is certainly a lot better than a lot of systems I see where the user is relient on a free trial that came with the system a year ago and ran out 9 months ago

+1 Well said!!

 

[Fliplip]

Im still waiting for Eset to become a bit more stable but for now the MS stuff seems ot be working ok.

 

[ttthomasss123]

Alright Thank you all for your input. I know that the windows firewall is pretty good, I also am behind a NAT, so I dont have as big of problems as most. I installed Comodo last night, I left the AV installed, and running, however it is not set to scan at all. I also have MS SE installed aswell.

Yes, the pop ups do get very annoying from defense+, but they do go away after awhile. But like Barman58 said, I like to know what my computer is doing. The defense+ being so damn picky has allowed me to stop some malware from connecting to the internet a few times, and I feel that because of Comodo Internet Security, I haven't had any viruses or any maliciuos attacks on my computer for over 3 years now. Or maybe its the NAT.. Who knows

 

[hackerman1]

hi !

rogermac: "I just ran the windows firewall on Steve Gibsons sight "Shields Up" and it passed with flying colors."

yes, it does.
it blocks incoming connections.
but you should test windows firewall with Comodo´s LeakTest (CLT)....
i have tested a few firewalls the last months, and windows firewall has lots of leaks, meaning it doesn´t block outgoing connections.

 

[tylerorr95]

Zonealarm is the best firewall by far that I used. I recommend it to every user looking for a strong inbound as well as outbound firewall.