Firewall - is it essential?

caveman · 24-06-2003, 17:39

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?

Theodoric · 24-06-2003, 17:51

Quote:

Originally posted by caveman
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.

david_w2k · 24-06-2003, 18:03

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

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.

Dave Stones · 24-06-2003, 18:05

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

Alan Waddington · 24-06-2003, 18:12

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

paulyoung666 · 24-06-2003, 18:14

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

darkangel · 24-06-2003, 18:22

Quote:

Originally posted by caveman
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?

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

24-06-2003, 18:31

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

ronald146m · 24-06-2003, 18:36

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

david_w2k · 24-06-2003, 18:40

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.

tabatha · 24-06-2003, 18:51

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..

ronald146m · 24-06-2003, 18:57

Tabatha

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

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

Ron

tabatha · 24-06-2003, 18:59

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??

tabatha · 24-06-2003, 19:01

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

ronald146m · 24-06-2003, 19:07

Quote:

Originally posted by tabatha
Hi R146m..sounds about right..did you do any `probing`??

Yes ... but in the nicest possible way.

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

Ron