Which Firewall is better, Avast's or 7's ?

[WBFAir]

Hello all

Recently I have been using Avast's free Anti-Virus/Malware program and am very very impressed.

Never before have I had a program that uses such little resources and completely and fully blocked all attacks.

For a firewall though, for now I have been using Windows 7's and for e-mail spam, Thunderbirds stock one, but I figure if it is better, for the firewall I would like to buy the paid version of Avast but only if it is better.

As well the same question applies for the spam filter.

So if anyone has a opinion on this please feel free to chime in.

Thanks.

 

[hackerman1]

hi !


Avast has got very bad results when tested by Matousec:
Results and comments - www.matousec.com

under "Security Basics" above there is a thread with a lot of info:
http://www.sevenforums.com/security-basics/75541-free-software-firewalls-windows-7-a.html

save your money, get Online Armor-FREE instead, it´s one of the very best firewalls:
Best Free Firewall Software - Download Online Armor Free Personal Firewall - Get it Now

i´m using Online Armor-Premium myself....

for more info: SEARCH.....

 

[JonM33]

Windows 7 Firewall works without a problem. No need for any 3rd party application.

 

[Fathther Jack]

Windows 7 Firewall works without a problem. No need for any 3rd party application.

"You took the words right out of my mouth......"

 

[hackerman1]

hi !

JonM33 & Father Jack:
yes, of course W7´s firewall works.
but, it doesn´t block OUTGOING connections (by default).
other firewall likes fx. Online Armor blocks, and also has better protection as it also has HIPS.
read fx. the sticky thread above, and also do a search, there are lots of information in all those firewall-threads...

 

[Corrine]

hi !

JonM33 & Father Jack:
yes, of course W7´s firewall works.
but, it doesn´t block OUTGOING connections (by default).

Actually, it does, and out of the box, blocked Trillian, providing me a notice and the option to unblock it.

With all network types, by default the Windows 7 firewall blocks connections to programs that are not on the list of allowed programs.

The above quote is from a nice article by Microsoft MVP Deb Shinder, What's new in the Windows 7 Firewall?.

 

[JonM33]

hi !

JonM33 & Father Jack:
yes, of course W7´s firewall works.
but, it doesn´t block OUTGOING connections (by default).
other firewall likes fx. Online Armor blocks, and also has better protection as it also has HIPS.
read fx. the sticky thread above, and also do a search, there are lots of information in all those firewall-threads...

Are you downloading illegal software? If not, you have nothing to worry about with outbound connections.

 

[hackerman1]

hi !

Corrine: according to what i have read both here on sevenforums & other forums, it does not block outgoing connections (by default).

when i tested different firewalls with Comodo´s Leak-Test (CLT), W7´s firewall had lots of leaks, it didn´t block those tests from connecting to internet.

i don´t know what settings you use, but i suppose you must have changed something....

but now you woke my interest in running some tests on W7´s FW, and double-check myself.
actually i have already planned to test the new version of Zonealarm some rainy day, so i can test W7´s FW too.

might be interesting...

 

[JonM33]

when i tested different firewalls with Comodo´s Leak-Test (CLT), W7´s firewall had lots of leaks, it didn´t block those tests from connecting to internet.

You don't need to worry about outbound connections if you do not use illegal software (keygens, cracks, etc).

 

[malexous]

What about (compromised) websites installing malware that call home?

 

[bludgard69]

?.


Quote:
With all network types, by default the Windows 7 firewall blocks connections to programs that are not on the list of allowed programs.

The above quote is from a nice article by Microsoft MVP Deb Shinder, What's new in the Windows 7 Firewall?.

Very informitive post,corrine.

I just created an outbound rule-pretty straight forward-took a little digging around.The rule seemed absolute.
I've been thinking about how to get inside the firewall-too much thinking.Thanks for the link.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Hello,

I'm not an expert in this area but according to Technet article it says the Windows 7 control outbound traffic as well What's New in Windows Firewall with Advanced Security i haven't changed any settings but it does block out going connections which i have to add exceptions.

I think to enable Out bound protection you can try this:

Start | wf.msc | Now from the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window, navigate to Actions > Properties. A properties dialog will open from where you can block the Outbound Connection.

Are you downloading illegal software? If not, you have nothing to worry about with outbound connections.

The answer is relatively simple, to prevent malwares and viruses from sending confidential information. When backdoor worms attack your computer, they steal the information and then connect to an external server(hacker’s server) to send the data.

- Captain

 

[Microhard]

WBFAir you do know that outbound protection from firewalls are Snake Oil right? Windows 7's built-in firewall is extremely sufficient even for most advanced users out there.

 

[Corrine]

?.
Very informitive post,corrine.

I just created an outbound rule-pretty straight forward-took a little digging around.The rule seemed absolute.
I've been thinking about how to get inside the firewall-too much thinking.Thanks for the link.

That's great, bludgard69. I'm glad the article was helpful.