Is the W7 default firewall enough?

[kmint]

Hi, I am really tired of the firewalls. I have been using them for years. Zone Alarm, NOD32, PC Tools...

And I was wondering if the default firewall of W7 would be enough. I dont even know what firewalls are really for very well. I just did it because people tell you to have one.

So I was thinking that maybe the last Firewall in W7 had improved and was now considered good enough, just like everything in W7 has become much much better.

I get really tired of the firewalls, it's a irritating, and since Windows firewall doesnt ask you too much I would prefer to use it.

I also have Microsoft Security Essentials as antivirus, from which I read it is fantastic. I never seem to have an undetected virus. It catches the few that want to enter via web. I run other online ones from time to time and I am always clean.

I would appreciate your comments.

Thank you.

 

[Borg 386]

You can read something about it here:

Security in Windows 7: Firewall and Networking | PCMag.com

 

[Corrine]

Hi, kmint.

Personally, I have been very happy with the combination of the Windows 7 Firewall and MSE. I am also behind a router.

Considering your "history" of apparent safe surfing, I think you will be happy with the Windows 7 Firewall also.

 

[JonM33]

Hi, kmint.

Personally, I have been very happy with the combination of the Windows 7 Firewall and MSE. I am also behind a router.

Considering your "history" of apparent safe surfing, I think you will be happy with the Windows 7 Firewall also.

I concur. Unless you are installing piles of illegal software and visiting the worst websites imaginable then the standard Windows Firewall will be all that you need.

 

[JMH]

Hi, I am really tired of the firewalls. I have been using them for years. Zone Alarm, NOD32, PC Tools...

And I was wondering if the default firewall of W7 would be enough. I dont even know what firewalls are really for very well. I just did it because people tell you to have one.

So I was thinking that maybe the last Firewall in W7 had improved and was now considered good enough, just like everything in W7 has become much much better.

I get really tired of the firewalls, it's a irritating, and since Windows firewall doesnt ask you too much I would prefer to use it.

I also have Microsoft Security Essentials as antivirus, from which I read it is fantastic. I never seem to have an undetected virus. It catches the few that want to enter via web. I run other online ones from time to time and I am always clean.

I would appreciate your comments.

Thank you.

kmint,

If you surf safely the Win 7 firewall should be adequate.
Should your modem / router have a firewall - even better.

Jan.

 

[kmint]

Thank you very much for your replies.

But what is the difference then between the firewall and the antivirus? And why do people (including myself) bother then with those annoying firewalls that ask you all the time if you trust every connection that you don't even know if it good or bad?

Has the Windows firewall got better then and is it more acknowledged by the experts?

Thanks.

 

[Harvey Meale]

Thank you very much for your replies.

But what is the difference then between the firewall and the antivirus? And why do people (including myself) bother then with those annoying firewalls that ask you all the time if you trust every connection that you don't even know if it good or bad?

Has the Windows firewall got better then and is it more acknowledged by the experts?

Thanks.

Hi, kmint.

Great questions!

The difference between a firewall and an antivirus is that an antivirus is primarily a scanning utility. Yes, a lot of them have real-time protection capabilities, but it is not always their soul purpose. A firewall is designed to filter traffic, whereas an antivirus is there to intercept malicious files. Firewalls intercept connections and packets, rather than files (though nowadays, they'll intercept most malicious files as well).

You mentioned the hassle of dealing with the firewalls that point out every non-secure connection. I agree, they are often annoying. The good news is, you can customize your security levels to suit your likings. I believe you're referring to Comodo here.

To address your final question, the Windows Firewall has improved, though it still isn't considered to be as effective as the industry leaders (Comodo, Outpost, etc). As mentioned above, it all depends on what you do whilst online, and what you're likely to encounter.

If you're doing nothing more than browsing through web pages, then your security configuration should be kept to a minimum. If you're someone who blows fifty gigabytes on music and videos every month, then you may like to consider upping your security.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

 

[Layback Bear]

I have used Windows 7 built in firewall from the OEM install. My Intel dealer who builds system for government, business, and personal has the Windows 7 firewall on. He has no bad reports from any of his customers and they use the built in firewall. Microsoft Security Essentials has been reported by many on this site and sites like this one as being very good. If you Google (MSE reviews) you can read and make your decision.

 

[kmint]

Thank you very much again. Very informative.

 

[Layback Bear]

Your welcome kmint. Let us know what you decide to use.

 

[Harvey Meale]

Thank you very much again. Very informative.

Hi, kmint.

I just happen to have a canned speech for firewalls. You might like to take a look.

Selecting a firewall that's right for you is crucial in the prevention of infection. You should have it adjusted to suite your needs: your intelligence, your computer knowledge, and your convenience.

Today, I'm going to share four leading firewall programs with you, and from there, you should evaluate which one's best for your needs. Let's get started!

• Online Armor - As iBruteforce suggested, Online Armor is an extremely efficient firewall to use. It's a user-friendly firewall, so if you struggled with the likes of Comodo, perhaps you should consider this alternative. Below is a link to a Online Armor review, so you can see what other people think of it.
  • [Review] Online Armor Free

• Comodo Firewall - This firewall is regarded as one of the most popular applications because it is one of the more advanced protection agents and has a high detection rate on malicious traffic. At times, the Comodo firewall may seem a little confusing, but with experience, you'll begin to get the hang of it and understand why it's known as one of the best. I'll post a link to a review below.
  • [Review] Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0

• ZoneAlarm - ZoneAlarm, like Comodo, is one of the better firewall programs freely available. It is often considered to be in the top two when it comes to protection and usability. Rated five stars by CNet's staff, this is truely one of the best firewalls around. I'll post a review (link below) for you to find out more on this excellent software.
  • [Review] ZoneAlarm 9.1.007

• Outpost Firewall - Outpost, though perhaps not the most effective firewall, comes with many excellent features that will often surpass that of a professional firewall. These include 'proactive protection' that controls your installed applications, and a real-time network statistics monitor. Read more about Outpost Firewall at the link below.
  • [Review] Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free

I hope that you can find a software that, based on your requirements, will perform optimally in the prevention of malicious attacks on your system. Good luck!

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

 

[JMH]

Thank you very much again. Very informative.

Hi, kmint.

I just happen to have a canned speech for firewalls. You might like to take a look.

Selecting a firewall that's right for you is crucial in the prevention of infection. You should have it adjusted to suite your needs: your intelligence, your computer knowledge, and your convenience.

Today, I'm going to share four leading firewall programs with you, and from there, you should evaluate which one's best for your needs. Let's get started!

• Online Armor - As iBruteforce suggested, Online Armor is an extremely efficient firewall to use. It's a user-friendly firewall, so if you struggled with the likes of Comodo, perhaps you should consider this alternative. Below is a link to a Online Armor review, so you can see what other people think of it.
  • [Review] Online Armor Free

• Comodo Firewall - This firewall is regarded as one of the most popular applications because it is one of the more advanced protection agents and has a high detection rate on malicious traffic. At times, the Comodo firewall may seem a little confusing, but with experience, you'll begin to get the hang of it and understand why it's known as one of the best. I'll post a link to a review below.
  • [Review] Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0

• ZoneAlarm - ZoneAlarm, like Comodo, is one of the better firewall programs freely available. It is often considered to be in the top two when it comes to protection and usability. Rated five stars by CNet's staff, this is truely one of the best firewalls around. I'll post a review (link below) for you to find out more on this excellent software.
  • [Review] ZoneAlarm 9.1.007

• Outpost Firewall - Outpost, though perhaps not the most effective firewall, comes with many excellent features that will often surpass that of a professional firewall. These include 'proactive protection' that controls your installed applications, and a real-time network statistics monitor. Read more about Outpost Firewall at the link below.
  • [Review] Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free

I hope that you can find a software that, based on your requirements, will perform optimally in the prevention of malicious attacks on your system. Good luck!

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

Should kmint decide to not use the Win 7 inbuilt firewall, I would highly recommend Online Armor from your list above.

I would however down load from the link below -

Best Firewall Software - Stops Hackers, Malware, Viruses, Keylogger & Online Banking Protection - Online Armor

 

[kmint]

Hi, thanks a lot for your help.

I tried them all and they got on my nerves. Over annoying and over complicated. I found PC Tools Firewall to be more easy and it is the most valued one in the downloads site I always use and trust where people vote and leave their opinions.

See: PC Tools Firewall Plus - Descargar

I am doubtful whether to send all of them to hell and stay with W7 firewall only or not. SOme guys here said W7 is more than enough and never got an infection or anything.

Anyway, thanks a lot.

 

[Corrine]

Hi, kmint.

The opinions at download sites are very frequently populated by shills so be careful how much credence you give to such comments.

To avoid problems, I hope that you have fully uninstalled firewalls that you have tested prior to moving on to another.

 

[Faladu]

Free F/W wise, I'd go with Comodo's (get from softpedia or majorgeeks)
Pay: Avast! Security Suite (I use)
-----------------------------------------------
It's very complex why you want one, research it carefully!
Protection comes in other ways also:
See WinPatrol, Spybot, and HiJackThis for examples, will be an eye opener, most likely.

[HiJackThis is THE real killer app, but also very dangerous, WinPatrol and SpyBoy Search and Destroy are awesome and extremely popular.]

A good F/W will not be nagging you constantly, unless you want it to!

Just noticed that those 2 product's companies are also the only 2 with sticky's in this forum!
I am not a shill! they get paid, I could use the job!

Something else to try for safer surfing also: mywot.com

Go even further using HOSTS file manipulation also, for info visit: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
While there investigate all the stuff in the drop down list at the top of the page for your continuing education.

 

[manchot]

if you decide to just use windows 7 firewall, i suggest you also use windows 7 firewall control in conjunction. the program tweaks the windows 7 firewall so you can have a bit more control without complicating too much the simplicity of just running the built in OS firewall.