Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.php

(Scroll to the bottom and click view results)

You might want to look here - updated 11th March - Glad i use Look'n'stop.

---------- Post added at 21:52 ---------- Previous post was at 21:37 ----------

Jesus - the top ranked one Jetico (which i'd never heard off) is FREEWARE!

http://www.jetico.com/

Anyone up for giving this a bash?

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Hmm. How accurate are these tests? Who says so, and what qualifies them to say so? More importantly, where if anywhere is the bias, i.e. are they trying to push their own software by claiming it's better? It would hardly be the first time. As Commander Vimes might say, "Where's the money?"

I judge AV and firewall software on results, i.e. does it stop your PC being hacked and/or catching viruses? Since mine (McAfee) does, I don't put much faith in that scoreboard. I hardly think McAfee would be so popular if their software was as full of holes as the scoreboard implies; I don't recall ever reading any complaints on their forum about it being easily hackable.

Installation problems and bug reports, yes, but at least it seems to be secure. :)

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

ZoneAlarm has always sucked.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

I'm going to try it...

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Note they are ranking outbound leakiness (prevention of your PC being able to do damage by rogue apps). They say most give good prevention against inbound attacks, including Win XP's own firewall!

APS

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

i'm online now after disabling Kerio, two reboots, then installing Jetico.

Very neat though noobs will find all the messages daunting, hoping with time they'll lessen as it gets used to my usage...

Only using 8 MB of Ram, atm.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

I suppose thats the sign of a good firewall, one that makes sure you give permission for everything that accesses the network.

In a way that the problem with the Nortons et al, you can really blame them as they have a different target audience, but it will leave them a bit more open.

Love the sound of the 8 Meg of ram - thats also good - not blotware.

My Looknstop is currently using 1,096k :D

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

As it stands, I'm testing things. LAN access (file/print sharing) is flawless both accessing my PC from others on the LAN, and other PCs from mine - and reloading firefox, etc etc, doesn't nag if you say "always allow".

Shall I get some screen grabs?

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

using comodo at the mo.......and at the mo had no probs (even if it is mid table on the chart), only gripe is the setting of application access and rules, and the never ending requests for program access to the web (good, but tedious)

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

a lot of the 'firewalls' like to show off with banners and alerts and stuff. I'm using kerio (which seems quite good) but am about to be emasculated down to the "free" version as my trial is just about up :(

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

this was free to, download and install and get free licence (thinks it lasts for 12 months and then is a free renewal)....easy. if u go to their website there is also a full and free back-up program aswell, i got it but haven't looked at yet.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

really? I was under the impression it was a pay per year arrangement. But will double check that


by back up - are you talking about spin right?

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

wot it says on the tin .........back-up

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Would assume he is on about Comodo DP

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Yeah why not.

But - use it for a couple of days to get a feel for it and then come back and let us know more - this could be a cracking firewall if its free and does what it says on the tin.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Here's some screen grabs.

1.

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/1...oard016le1.jpg

This is one of the little boxes that pops up when the internet / LAN is accessed or teh FW regards the program's behaviour as suspicious (I've opened it up more, to show all the text). Normally what I do is add the app to the Trusted zone if it's like Firefox something I use a lot that i know is OK.


2.

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/5...board010zd.jpg

This is the main window of the app, I'd just rebooted and then reconnected to the wireless explaining the lack of activity to the left! Very easy to see what is and isn't going off, the firewall however seems (after using for less than a day) to be a lot more advanced, a lot more customisable. I'd say it wasn't for anyone other than expert users.

3.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2...board019tt.jpg

The main application control area. Not really much to say here.

4.

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/333...board017bz.jpg

The log file. Haven't looked into this yet.

5.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7...board012gl.jpg

Config area. Not really much interesting to say other than that this is the real nerve centre of the firewall (and I'm still working out myself exactly how it works!). The tree on the left expands into various areas to alter the settings for each program.

Just a taster - I'm continuing testing it, will probably come up with a more detailed review when I've been using it longer.

First impressions are very favourable.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Nice one... have been playing around with some different ones recently and looking for new ones. Might give this a go too.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Surely it's about how you configure the firewall though? If you just give everything that pops up full access to the Internet, you might as well just uninstall the firewall. Very few applications have full access to the Internet on my PC - the majority are restricted to the trusted zone or certain servers. Finely tuned :) I'm using ZoneAlarm Pro.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Have you tested this new firewall with Steve Gibson's site?

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

For advice on configuring rules for Jetico, there is an interesting thread here http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=121009

I have been using rules based firewalls for years, Jetico can still be a little complex though. The thread above clears things up a little, even for experienced users. :)

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

i would do, but I can't remember the link :(

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

done the 2 probe scans and says that im stealthed.......but it said that about the last few firewalls i've tried (me's not thinkin that i'm that good), any other sites anyone can recommend? googled a few ie. hackerwatch and auditmypc but they don't appear to work because they say it's due to the proxy/cache servers, am i wrong in thinking that that the port probe tests on shields up/grc should work the same way as others?

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Thats the beauty of a proxy - they are probably probing the ports of the Proxy and not your PC.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

point i was making was that how come the others couldn't probe me (not personally ;) not ready to be abducted just yet) but the shields up/grc site could........thought it was just a bit odd

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

It was probably mistaking the Proxy for you...

Just a guess.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Hehehe, Steve Gibson :rofl:

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Didn't work for me either - once i'd worked out how to get it to cane the proxy it went and owned the router instead... of course, an extra level from my pc!

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

THIS is why you pay for a AV like NOD, well especially NOD, a new rootkit found TODAY (21st) and NOD users are protected already due to its advanced scanning engine which detects possible issues BEFORE a specific update to target a virus.

Note the screenshot at the end which shows all the AV's tested and how many found the rootkit - interesting viewing for many on here i think.

I've attatched the relevant image in this post as well.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

That Avast version is old though, i'm on 4.6.673 dB update 20/03/06.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Fair point! :D I cant argue with that... ;)

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Tring the firewall.

Certainly not for computer novices though, you have to really know what you are doing.

I'd not trust those test results though to be honest, Zone Alarm is not a bad firewall, and certainly better that the piece of rubbish that M$ call a firewall. :)

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

The programs they used to test are on the same site, try them for yourself.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

I'm still liking it. It's practically transparent unless an application launches another which i'm used to Kerio nagging me about.

The interface and messages WILL scare noobs but let's be fair, they're gonna use windows firewall, Norton :grr: or nothing, aren't they?

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

For a freebie though - i bet you cant argue with that! ;)

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

true....... the only question is there a way to stop it flagging up an app (or every one as it doesn't seem to remeber much), not quite understanding how to set the rules, why can't i just say this app has permission to access network and this one doesn't, and the help files are a bit vague :confused:

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Have a look over here..

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Not at all mate, just saying it's pretty much "experts only" - let's be fair, it's a cracking firewall but even if I could, I wouldn't mention it to customers :)

---------- Post added at 23:13 ---------- Previous post was at 23:12 ----------

Not at all, I'm normally quite good at working things out for myself which I suppose makes a difference here.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Oi ! thief ! http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...1&postcount=20 :PP:

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

:naughty: Sorry! :D

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

:LOL:

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Just uninstalled it because it went a bit silly... started blocking everything in the "optimal protection" so I was running in Allow All, which i thought was a bit pointless. Gone back to Kerio... the Jetico is a decent firewall but they need to sort that bug out really.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

Sorry to hear that - you should try Look'n'Stop which is the firewall i use, its has the same learning curve in that its pretty hard to configure as its a proper firewall but its the mutleys as it has a small memory footprint, does exactly what it should do and has NEVER given me any jip, unless you include the amout of time it took me to work out how to set up my own rules. The default ruleset is supposed to be excellent but i went the whole hog and got the Phantom ruleset with it (which can now be got for free) and im more than happy.

It is about $30 though - but like i say its the mutts.

http://www.looknstop.com/En/index2.htm

Dont be fooled by the cheap web page - its a solid brick wall this one.

Re: Latest Firewall Test Results Roundup - Zone Alarm (Free) Sucks! (Surprise)
 

i use outpost have done for many months and its easy to use