XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Hello everyone - I'm barely PC literate so please bear that in mind. I've been happily using Zonealarm on this PII, W98 machine for some time and it's worked fine in conjunction with Avast anti-virus.

My other PC is a 1 year old XPSP2 version which I'm told has its own firewall which appears to hide away in the background. Question: is the XP firewall as good as Zonealarm and, if not, how do I disable and replace it?

Any feedback/advice gratefully received !


Osem.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

The XP firewall only blocks access into your computer and does nothing to stop any nasties which may have got themselves installed on your computer from initiating communication from within your computer.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Doh !!!! When will I get the hang of this place? :) Just found the relevant section for this discussion and some useful information about Zonealarm.

Thanks for your feedback Ian.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

What Ian says and also ZA is known to be problematic. I'd concider a few free alternatives.

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm

You can disable the XP firewall by :-

Click Start button
Click Control Panel
Click Security Center
Click Windows Firewall at the bottom of that window then click OFF.

Before doing so make sure you're ready and prepared to install an alternative firewall as you don't want to not be not protected. :)

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Zone Alarm is a software firewall. You could plump for a router which besides enabling you to connect two or more computers to your cable modem usually acts as a hardware firewall and will help protect all the computers attached to it.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Best to have a software firewall running as well because it gives you alot more control on what access rights you give individual programs to the internet. But that's just my opinion. :)

I currently run a Linksys router and Kerio firewall.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

I what way? What can the software can do that you cannot do with the router?

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

You have to give permissions for all your software when it first tries to access the internet. So if a virus or trojan tries to access the internet you will know about it when you get the popup dialogue box. With a router you wont see this, so it's likely the trojan will get away with doing all its nasty stuff.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

I dont use ZA anymore...i found it ate 30% of my bandwidth.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

had to take ZA off as it was deciding itself when it wanted to work... have been contemplating reinstalling it, but have been happy with just the windows thing so far - I guess we should put it back on? I'd probably choose that again as we've only really had trouble with it once, and despite the recommendations its the only one I've heard of!?

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

TY snoopz - think I'll do just that but try ZA again as I know it and haven't had any probs using it on our other (W98) pc so far.

:tu:

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

i used to run just the windows firewall and the hardware one in my router but I still got spareware and a virus installed on my machine.. i'd recommend running a software one even if you are behind a router

if the software doesn't find anything you haven't lost out but if it does ..

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Ok, so reversing the question: if you've got a software firewall, is there any point in turning on the hardware one in your router?

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

yes definately.. the hardware router should give you greater protection than the software one as it will block ALL ports but the ones you open up.. however yu may open up P2P ports and general web traffic so you can still get virus' and adware etc on your machine so i alwats run both.. i'd rather run two and not get a virus than run one and get hit

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

*confused* but put ZA back on anyway. its not doing no harm I guess... I had a thought though - what would've happened to the things that were in the virus vault when I uninstalled it? :disturbd:

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

But, hasn't ZA been identified as the culprit for stealing peoples bandwidth? :confused:

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

it doesn't seem to make any difference to me tbh. I'm only browsing all day, and on emails... the only online gaming I do is on here and msn! ;)

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

I paid for ZA security suite thingy for 2 computers and no real problems so far but we only surf and email really so they'res not much to go wrong. I like it for the fact that it check outgoing communications as well which could indicate that you have a virus/trogen on your system already.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Thanks for the answer sherer, but I'm confused: what would ZoneAlarm be letting through that a router won't?

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

it's more the fact that your router will let through web traffic etc but zonealarm will warn you each time a new exe tries to connect to the internet.. it's possible for you to get a virus over the net that your router will let through but as soon as that tries to connect to the net you will see it and can block it

i always find it's better to be overprotected

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

The control that a software firewall gives is based upon rules. For Zonealarm it has built in rules, setup for ease of use - especially for those who do not wish to be bogged-down by setting up application behaviour, and connections. Many of these are set by default, and you will not be aware they have been allowed by the firewall, for example Jetico on the other hand is more user intensive, and more for those that know what should/shouldn't be allowed to access what files, and what ports should be opened/closed. Basically you have to set most of these rules up yourself.

While it is true you will still be able to get a virus, unlike a trojan or worm, a virus will not connect to the internet. When you get infected by a trojan it will attempt to connect to the internet to download other malware files to infect your system. This can be through P2P, drive by downloads by visiting dodgy web pages, amoungst others. A good software will alert you that the trojan is attempting to connect, and allow you to block this with a rule. This alert should make you undertake a scan.

A software firewall will not completely protect, but will allow a user more leeway to make mistakes while browsing, downloading or opening attachments. So it may save you from a stray click - only being infected by one file or script - instead of being totally compromised. It also allows the user more control, and gives you more information on what is running, and where it is connecting to.

Of course this does not take into account kernel based rootkits, but that is another story...

In my experience a router will significantly reduce the workload on a software firewall, as it will stop the usual internet 'noise' even getting to the system, and many packets. However it needs to be well setup, and does not allow the control that a software firewall gives. You can protect yourself from worms/viruses and trojans, but the sotware firewall gives you that extra control and security when you do get infected; therefore, in my opinion, it is a must in a modern pc users layered protection.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Very well explained. :tu: I agree with you a 100% :)

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Thanks ADd - my PC works fine with ZoneAlarm so I'll stick with that for the moment.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

No problem, if it works for you, then that it fine. Security is really a compromise between usability and how secure your system is, great thing about Zonealarm is it is user friendly, but like all software, has some reported problems :)

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Don't forget that it helps to use a bit of common sense. I've had a few people ask me about getting rid of a virus/spyware and when I ask what they've been doing, they always say something like "it was my fault for downloading a game crack" :doh:

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Hope you reprimanded them accordingly ;)

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Yep, gave them a swift beating... Er, I mean, talking to! ;) lol

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

I paid for the CA security suite, instead of zonealarm

a fresh install seems to have sorted any problems - uninstall ez_antivirus seems to have helped

it remains to be seen if I made the right choice ;)

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

wouldn't touch anything from CA with a barge poll.. we use them at work and all their products are rubbish :Yikes:

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

CA... Hmmm........

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11...ar_ca_scandal/

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

The Sunbelt Firewall (Kerio) - is that free? Website says it wants payment?

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

It just niggles you every so often asking if you want to upgrade - I run the free version.

http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
Most trial software works for a month and then stops, but not the Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall. After 30 days, it shuts down advanced privacy protection features, but will continue to run with reduced functionality for free. The following table compares differences between Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall running in a free mode vs. a full (paid) mode. So, why spend the $19.95? Because being behind a concrete wall beats a chain link fence, when it comes to your security.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Cool - thanks!

OK - I know it's a much debated question - but which free firewall should I go with??

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

I vote Kerio but hear Comodo is very good which i haven't used yet. Just avoid ZA and Norton at all costs.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Well - I installed Kerio today on work laptop - it keeps giving an error just before the widows logon - needs investigating - it looks quite good...

Will have a look at Comodo soon....

This will be a replacement for Norton! ;-)

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Turn Web Filtering off if you use Kerio, as it will seriously slow down your html webpage speed tests.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Thanks SnoopZ!

So - AVG or Avast + Kerio firewall - any potential gotchas??

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

I use Kaspersky but thats not free, but it can be found pretty cheap online. ;)

I've used AVG in the past and didn't have problems with it although Kaspersky looks and runs great.

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

Do you know if these run on Vista ok?

Re: XP firewall v. Zonealarm
 

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-antiv...ows-vista.html does.

AVG does.
Not sure about Kaspersky but no harm in trying their free trial.