Making my Win7 really fast

[DeaconFrost]

I use MSE with the Windows Firewall behind a router, I also have the paid version of MalwareBytes running in real-time, they all work very well together, plus I'm running the IE9 beta and according to Secunia PSI that is a secure browser.

You may be slowing your computer down with two on-demand scanners running at once. MSE and Malwarebytes are somewhat redundant, as they both scan and search for malware. However, no anti-malware app catches 100%, which is why you want one as a real-time scanner and one as an on-demand scanner, which is why people run MSE and the free version of Malwarebytes. You could have saved yourself some cash.

 

[Maxxwire]

No firewall will speed up anything, especially online performance.

You're right, a Firewall can't speed up internet communications up but the Comodo Firewall offers many security features that other Firewalls don't have and it doesn't slow things down which is especially significant to users that don't have access to a hardware Firewall or all of the millions of people who use laptops away from home.

Firewalls can really slow things down though. I have a Linksys Hardware Firewall with SPI that slows my internet download speed from 34 Mbps to 12 Mbps, but not so with the Comodo Firewall...

~Maxx~
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[DeaconFrost]

I have a Linksys Hardware Firewall with SPI that slows my internet download speed from 34 Mbps to 12 Mbps, but not so with the Comodo Firewall...

Then you have a poorly misconfigured or failing router. I've done plenty of speed tests with my Comcast service, and my in-laws FIOS service, and can find no differences between them with or without the hardware firewall in place. They use a Linksys router, and I am using a NetGear one. There isn't any difference between the two.

As for the laptop users who travel away from home, yes, they loose the protection of their hardware firewall, but that's why Windows includes one as well...and now one that monitors traffic in both directions.

See link: How to Enable Windows 7 Firewall Outbound Protection

So there becomes very little need....on a VERY little amount of computers to run anything more than what's already included. 99.9% of all users or more have no need for anything more than what Windows 7 Firewall does already.

 

[Joan Archer]

I use MSE with the Windows Firewall behind a router, I also have the paid version of MalwareBytes running in real-time, they all work very well together, plus I'm running the IE9 beta and according to Secunia PSI that is a secure browser.

You may be slowing your computer down with two on-demand scanners running at once. MSE and Malwarebytes are somewhat redundant, as they both scan and search for malware. However, no anti-malware app catches 100%, which is why you want one as a real-time scanner and one as an on-demand scanner, which is why people run MSE and the free version of Malwarebytes. You could have saved yourself some cash.

I probably could have saved some cash but at least I've helped to give a little bit towards the team who develop the program, the program is very well thought of as is SuperAntiSpyware which I have on an XP machine, I bought that one as well, it runs alongside the free version of Avast and the inbuilt Firewall.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I'm definitely not against helping the developers out of some great software. My comments were regarding the slowdown you'll likely see all the time, or during disk-intensive tasks due to having two resident scanners running at the same time. That's always been a big no-no.

 

[Maxxwire]

Then you have a poorly misconfigured or failing router. 99.9% of all users or more have no need for anything more than what Windows 7 Firewall does already.

I bought the NIB Linksys BEFSX41 hardware firewall router specifically because it had an SPI Mode and it was configured properly and works perfectly fine with internet download speeds well over 30 Mbps except when SPI is engaged and then like I mentioned the maximum download speed drops to 12 Mbps with the exact same configuration. As a result I run it without SPI engaged and Comodo Firewall Pro in full Stealth Mode at its highest security configuration and it has passed an array of Leak Tests proving the true level of security which it provides.

Concerning your statement that "99.9% of all users or more have no need for anything more than what Windows 7 Firewall does already" perhaps you could do as is customary over at Wilders Security Forums and run the standard PC Flank Leak Tests on your configuration of Windows 7 Firewall to prove the validity of your assertion.

~Maxx~
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[jet1337]

im using pro and it is enough for me. In ultima there is many features that i dont need so no need to bother with ultimne.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Concerning your statement that "99.9% of all users or more have no need for anything more than what Windows 7 Firewall does already" perhaps you could do as is customary over at Wilders Security Forums and run the standard PC Flank Leak Tests on your configuration of Windows 7 Firewall to prove the validity of your assertion.

I'll stand by my claims without a test I'm all for security, but I'm also all for not wearing a tin foil hat as well. Considering the amount of users who wouldn't know what a firewall is, I'll stick with my 99.9% comment.

Too many people automatically assume that all traffic going through is bad. As mentioned above...if my printer app wants to report back on my average usage, it is welcome too. I don't need yet another app running in the background to do the job of what is already present.

Besides, maybe it's the IT Manager in me talking, but if it is good enough for the corporate world, it is more than good enough for home systems.

If you want that kind of granular information, be my guest...it is your system. I don't have the time or the desire to check all of that, so as long as I'm well protected, I can move on to other things. But please don't act like all of us running the Windows firewall are making a mistake.

 

[pparks1]

With regards to the default Windows firewall, or a commercial 3rd party firewall and which is far superior....so much of this has to do with the risks that the end-user is subjecting themselves to based on their computing habits.

I believe the built-in Windows firewall suffices for most people. With that said, there are still a ton of machines which get compromised. However, I think this is more to do with the end user willing to do something stupid and risk their internal security. And as we have learned, you cannot stop stupid.

I generally recommend that people run MSE, a router based NAT firewall and the built-in Windows firewall. In the event that I know this person is dead set on pirating software, torrenting movies and porn and the like...then I will always recommend that they step up their level of protection as they are putting themselves into risky situations.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I generally recommend that people run MSE, a router based NAT firewall and the built-in Windows firewall.

That's exactly how I set up and recommend all of the systems I "support". Add in Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner, and I haven't had to deal with malware removal in quite some time. If that can protect my click-happy father-in-law, it can protect anyone.

 

[Joan Archer]

I'm definitely not against helping the developers out of some great software. My comments were regarding the slowdown you'll likely see all the time, or during disk-intensive tasks due to having two resident scanners running at the same time. That's always been a big no-no.

Can't say I see any significant slowdown and don't forget one is an anti-virus program that also does some malware catching, the other is primarily an antispy/malware program.

 

[Maxxwire]

"Please don't act like all of us running the Windows firewall are making a mistake." All I am saying is that if you subject Windows Firewall to any of the reputable Leak Tests which are used to evaluate Firewall performance you will learn the truth about how well protected your computer currently really is.

The value of having top notch software Firewall protection is not a concern for many entry level Win 7 users, but for those more advanced users who can appreciate the value of knowing exactly how well their software Firewall is protecting them from common exploits like Rootkit Installations, Invasions, Injections, InfoSends, Impersonations and Hijacking then a Leak Test will let them know exactly how well thier current software Firewall protection stands up to these exploits...

1. RootkitInstallation: MissingDriverLoad
2. RootkitInstallation: LoadAndCallImage
3. RootkitInstallation: DriverSupersede
4. RootkitInstallation: ChangeDrvPath
5. Invasion: Runner
6. Invasion: RawDisk
7. Invasion: PhysicalMemory
8. Invasion: FileDrop
9. Invasion: DebugControl
10. Injection: SetWinEventHook
11. Injection: SetWindowsHookEx
12. Injection: SetThreadContext
13. Injection: Services
14. Injection: ProcessInject
15. Injection: KnownDlls
16. Injection: DupHandles
17. Injection: CreateRemoteThread
18. Injection: APC dll injection
19. Injection: AdvancedProcessTermination
20. InfoSend: ICMP Test
21. InfoSend: DNS Test
22. Impersonation: OLE automation
23. Impersonation: ExplorerAsParent
24. Impersonation: DDE
25. Impersonation: Coat
26. Impersonation: BITS
27. Hijacking: WinlogonNotify
28. Hijacking: Userinit
29. Hijacking: UIHost
30. Hijacking: SupersedeServiceDll
31. Hijacking: StartupPrograms
32. Hijacking: ChangeDebuggerPath
33. Hijacking: AppinitDlls
34. Hijacking: ActiveDesktop

Its not for computer novices to be concerned with advanced level software Firewall protection but rather for those who have more advanced skill level and want to know the truth about how well their software Firewall is currently protecting their computer running a set of Leak Tests can reveal precisely what vulnerabilities need to be addressed in order to improve their current level of protection.

~Maxx~
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[deepakumar]

Hey Maxx the last time we spoke elaborately about Comodo firewall & HIPS feature...but then i got busy & couldn't get in touch with you on that topic...Hey buddy how r u??? Ok Maxx i got the Comodo firewall only & didn't activated the AV part since i got MSE & its working fine...so just give the steps for HIPS so i can get that straight since i'm irritated with UAC pop-up for the most common & daily apps. like CCleaner,CoreTemp etc...

 

[gregrocker]

Turn down UAC in Control Panel>User Accounts. You don't have to install a bloatware Firewall. Use the Win7 Firewall.

 

[Maxxwire]

You don't have to install a bloatware Firewall. Use the Win7 Firewall.

I agree! According to Task Manager the Comodo Firewall Pro and top rated Proactive Defense+ HIPS runs for 5.2 MB RAM on my Win 7 computer. Do you know the RAM allocation of the Windows 7 Firewall for comparison?

~Maxx~
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[Maxxwire]

Ok Maxx i got the Comodo firewall only & didn't activated the AV part since i got MSE & its working fine...so just give the steps for HIPS so i can get that straight since i'm irritated with UAC pop-up for the most common & daily apps. like CCleaner,CoreTemp etc...

Using MSE with the lightweight Comodo Firewall Pro sounds like a great idea! Just make sure that the Firewall is set to Custom Policy Mode so that all programs must ask your permission to go to the internet. You may be surprised at how many Windows and 3rd party programs make a habit of phoning home often!

With these settings for the Matousec Proactive Defense 148 part Security Challenge's #1 rated Firewall+HIPS software the Comodo Proactive Defense + will not only protect your computer from letting any .exe run without your express permission, but it will permanently remember your decision and never ask again thus quelling the persistant nag of Windows UAC.

As a bonus the completely free of charge Comodo Firewall Pro, Proactive Defense+ and Auto Sandboxing Feature when configured properly will get a perfect score against any and all of the 34 exploits I listed above which is 3X better than Windows Firewall usually does when leak tested. While it is true that you may never have to deal with all of those potential exploits that seek to take control of your computer and mine it for personal data its nice to know that you have the protection onboard that has a proven ability to successfully defend your computer against those threats.

~Maxx~
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[deepakumar]

Ok i've done the same...i don't need to add any programs to "Trusted files"...???i got the Comodo 5.0.162636.1135 i hope that's the Pro version??? Yeah you are right with the perfect settings my computer has always been 100% safe & secured, guaranteed when with Comodo firewall (i'm not commenting on other AV/Firewall or criticizing them as well)...Thnx Maxx

 

[deepakumar]

Hahahaha Greg my friend Comodo firewall is a very good firewall & my personal experience has been good since when i was using WinXP S2/3...so prefer sticking my nose with same......with HIPS on i guess don't really have to turn UAC off....but Thnx Greg my friend for the info...

 

[Maxxwire]

Hahahaha Greg my friend Comodo firewall is a very good firewall & my personal experience has been good.

Please don't make light of Greg's recommending the Windows 7 Firewall because it does do an adequate job and most people are not going to want to put the time and effort into running Comodo although the developers have worked very hard to simplify its use making Comodo 2011 (v5) the smoothest running and pop-up free version I have run to date.

~Maxx~
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[deepakumar]

Maxx i wasn't actually taking Greg's recommendation light i agree & don't deny that Windows firewall isn't effective but it just that i'm not Ok/satisfied/don't wanna use it...whatever 1 can say, i love Comodo firewall as mentioned in above post...Greg is one of my friend who'll be all Guns blowing at my post which i love because i want some1 to find a mistake in me because only then can i improve...in two of my tutorials that i recently came up with he's the 1 guy who kept telling me what's wrong & what's need to be done...my new Guru badge is dedicated to him & Shawn the Admin....bcz they helped me to come up with those 2 tutorials...
Not 2 mention you guyzzz as well who are always there helping me out...sharing knowledge...