Firewall - is it essential?
 

I have been using broadband for a week and so far only use AVG AV to protect my machine. I have heard people say Firewalls are both difficult to configure and drain resources. I have also been told that a firewall is essential.
What do you guys (and gals) think. AV, Firewall , Adaware, Popup ridder and antispam. What do you use, and what brands - free or retail?

If you're connected 22/7 (cap willing), I'd say it's essential for peace of mind. I use Sygate; free, recommended by Jack Schofield of Guardian Online and has been trouble-free for me.

A firewall is absolutly essential!

To give you an idea, when i first got BB, i had no hardware firewall, and disabled the software firewall while installing BB. Within a few seconds, a virus had downloaded to my pc:eek:

I would recommend at least a software firewall such as Zonealarm. However, i run and recommend a hardware firewall (router) and software firewall. The hardware firewall will ensure that no unauthorised traffic can get to your pc (and will filter some outgoing stuff too, such as trojan attacks from your pc). The software firewall will check that not trojans/spyware can access the internet. I have a Netgear fr114p router and Zonealarm. I have ZA set with firewall OFF, but program detection on.

i have sygate pro and im only on 56k... you should see how often it lights up thanks to the peerguaridan IP blocklist though... get some other random port scans and hack attempts too... sad misguided fools :p

Short Answer: Yes.

Long Answer: I would recommend either a Firewall or using a cable router (in addition to your Virus Checker). Both will stop attempts to connect to your machine from outside & will stop the majority of hacking attempts. What they don't prevent is trojans which you receive in your email, or via web-download. Your virus checker will get those :)

The Firewall is the best bet if you are using a single computer, directly attached to the cable modem. However it can be tricky to configure so that it doesn't give false alarms.

The Cable-Router is the best solution if you want to attach more than one PC to your Cable-Modem. It provides the required protection 'out-of-the-box'. You can use a Firewall program as well, but personally I think that is a little too paranoid.

Alan

i have had many probs using sygate and avg , maybe it is me i dont know , i would go for norton anytime , ok its going to cost you if you want to be legit ;) but i reckon it is well worth it , imho of course :D :D :D :D

i'd dump avg it doesn't have a good detection rate, try sygate firewall pro and nav 2003

Hi

I'm behind a Linksys router & use ZoneAlarm Pro & McAfee AV. A free version of ZoneAlarm is available.

I recommend also running a spyware/adware program like spybot or adaware 6 (or both) fairly often, to clean out the stuff like tracking cookies & data-miners that will still "get through". Both are available as free downloads.

For spam you could try Mailwasher - also available in a free version - preview & delete unwanted mail off the server before you download it. (Free version only handles one account, though)

Gaz

Hello

As mentioned above, a free version of ZoneAlarm is available for downloading from here:-

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten...O2NNMUb67G9Sw7!607655005!-1062696903!7551!7552!1962075305!-1062696905!7551!7552?lid=home_za

The 'Pro' version has extra bells and whistles - but it isn't free.

I use ZoneAlarm myself, it's OK.

Ron

:) ;) :)

One other security issue with Win95/98 is that they connect to the network (including the internet connections with CM) BEFORE programs have started in windows. This means that you are vulnerable while windows is booting, if you just use a software firewall.

Hi...I would suggest a firewall is essential at all times,and especially with BB.I use Zone Alarm,had no probs setting it up,and no probs since.There is a good test prog that will `probe your ports!!!`,their description not mine!!.To outsiders my comp does not exist..Sorry,not sure of the address but if you Google to `Gibson Research Corp`you will find it..no prob..Use the full search not UK only..its a USA site..

Tabatha

I've been there, I think that this is the site:-

http://grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1bi2l2=qsvsf33l

Ron

Hi...Again..I guess the test is in the trying..I also use AVG[free],no viruses to the best of my knowledge,keep it updated!!.Also use Mailwasher[again free],have done so for at least 3yrs,it handles my 6 NTL addresses and 1 other...Has the latest version changed things??

Hi R146m..sounds about right..did you do any `probing`??

Yes ... but in the nicest possible way.:D :D :D

From what I remember I think it told me that I was invisible - and that's all right by me.

;) ;) ;)

Ron

Hi tabatha

I think you're right that it's the latest version that only handles one account. I'm using pro version so can't tell. :)

Gaz

Not a lot of help if `they can still see your comp!!:shrug:

Hi Homealone..Cheers..it aint broke so I wont fix it.

Well, you know what I mean.

:confused: :dunce:

Ron

Hi r146m..Yes I knew..but an interesting thing happened..I got an email from co.uk team to say you had posted a reply,never happened before..are you `in the know`??!!

Tab

I haven't done anything sinister.

Go to 'user cp' (at the top of this page)
Select 'Edit options'
Look at 'Use email notification by default' - this is probably set at 'yes', change it to 'no' if you don't want your inbox filling.

Ron

:) :) :)

ps I've just checked my inbox and there's stuff there. I think that they have just put this function into operation.

Mcafee firewall and av for me, just wish they Incorporated a pop-up killer as well:grind:

Hi r146m..Cheers for that..Why arn`t I that clever??Should save the postie a few journeys..
*sits back and wait for the other `deliberate mistakes`to appear*

The record for breaking into an unprotected windows xp machine is 15 minutes from the cable being plugged in.

There are plenty of nasty people out there looking for unprotected machines, and they can be very persistant.

Hi
I'm using a Norton Anti-Virus, a cable router and Outpost from Agnitum - software firewall that has built in ad-blocker, pop-up blocker, DNS cache. There is a free version available for download.

I haven't used a firewall ever nor do I plan to. As long as you disable the silly Windows features that open up specific entry points and have a virus scanner (Norton 2003 AV specifically) constantly running and checking emails and files you're about to open then you won't have any problems.

If you're on a home PC then there should be no need for a firewall unless someone is randomly opening attachments or "trying out" trojan software and viruses. If you're on a network, hosting games/services then maybe there is a need but most attempts to gain access to your PC will be by script kiddies looking for already-installed trojans and I doubt any real cracker would spend his time breaking into a home PC.

I run Adaware and Norton AV once or twice a week, I have a popup stopped and NAV running in the background and no problems and haven't had any, ever. Not suggesting I won't but it's highly unlikely.

I know someone who managed it in 45 seconds.... Then again it IS his job to be able to do that lol...


He works in the US DoD but I cannot say more lol


With my system running Sygate he couldn't penetrate it at all, the only way he knew I was online was I was chatting to him from it on IRC. Him and his teams spent 3 days looking for vulnerabilities...

How do you know you haven't been hacked? :)

now theres a point , i suppose if you are a superior being then you might get away with it , but , caveman appears to be a newbie ( no offence mate ) so therefore he has come here to ask advice ;)

i didn't run a firewall and within a few days both my legs fell off, i always run a firewall now. ;)

What does Peter mean by:

haven't used a firewall ever nor do I plan to. As long as you disable the silly Windows features that open up specific entry points and have a virus scanner (Norton 2003 AV specifically) constantly running and checking emails and files you're about to open then you won't have any problems.

Where are the features to be found?
Does anyone agree with him?

Control Panel->Admin Tools

You should in theory be able to slave M$ networking stuff to a non routeable protocol such as NetBeui.

Ensure you have no internet or admin services running then to all intents and purposes you should be hacker proof.

You still need to test the PC from a remote to ensure that nothing is open, and you don't have any protection against installing a trojan accidentally.

Keeping up with all the security hotfixes is a good idea too :)

Anyone got any suggestions for firewall software on a Macintosh? I run OSX.2

unless you know what your doing, stick with a firewall.
I tend personally not to trust software based firewalls, but thats my choice.
I do not run a firewall, and I can honestly say that I have had very little cause for alarm. I am not plagued with messages saying IP XXXXXXXXX is trying to do something etc so I tend not to worry. Simplistic yes but theres very little anyone could do that I couldnt fix, be it a format and re-install or just simply powering off my CM.

Hacking of someones computer in my oppinion, is not done to the average home user unless you go mouthing off in IRC about script kiddies etc. Theres very little to be had form hacking into a home PC except for pure nuisance causing. However, you could also become infected with a trojan virus, but AV software should take care of that anyway.