From Anti-Virus to Firewall

[Nigel H-J]

Thanks Ben, just guess I am getting a bit paranoid about the security level of MS Firewall as there are no options on security levels Nor has it ever asked about whether to block or allow a programme access to the internet!!


Regards Nigel.

[TSR2]

Hi Nigel,

Even though I have the full Trend suite, I still use the standard Vista Firewall as I never need to configure it, unless your exposing your system to torent sites and file sharing etc, the Windows XP firewall is pretty good. To be honnest most folk haven't a clue how to configure a firewall anyway and end up dabbling is stuff they no nothing about. If your a standard PC user and you do your windows updates regularly, you've nothing to fear from the MS firewall and it largely doesn't need configuring.... oh... and its free!

[Kevin Farnell]

Not sure about the Vista firewall, but XP firewall only blocks incoming attacks.
If you are unfortunate enough to end up with something malicious on your system, windows firewall will quite happily allow it to communicate outbound.
Most (if not all) freeware firewalls will block these communications.

Regards

Kevin

[Charlie Bravo]

Comodo firewall is supposed to be pretty good. Download it here.

[Tarasdad]

I've been using the WinXP firewall since XP SP2 came out with no problems. Of course, I'm also behind a hardware firewall in my router as well (belt AND suspenders, that's me). For anti-virus I use AVG and haven't had a single infection in forever. Added protection comes from SpyBot.

Am I bulletproof? Probably not, but at least I have a pretty good layer of Kevlar between my system and the outside world.

[Nigel H-J]

Hi all

put a question on the Kaspersky Forum regarding the problem of not being able to run Zone Alarm with their anti-virus and I was pointed to the firewall that Charlie Bravo has linked. Installed it and all appears well, it has had very good reviews so happy with it at present.

Though one thing that has me baffled and hopefully some-one may be able to answer is that there are two free-ware versions a 32-bit and a 64-bit. Tried the 64-bit but would not install so opted for the 32-bit, all went well however, just below where you download there is also a patch for both types, after downloading and then going to install it I received the following message Installed version of Comodo Firewall Pro is not compatible with patch...Aborting upgrade.

Sorry for sounding a bit thicky but STUPID think after thinking it may be to do with a previous version?

Does anyone have any ideas?

Regards
NIgel.

[TSR2]

Hi Nigel, if you don't have a 64bit Opperating system, then don't try and install it... just a rule of thumb.

Most OS's are 32bit at the moment. Re the patches, I'm not sure, but you have the 32bit product so will need the 32bit patch. ;-)

[nigelb]

I think Nigel did try the 32 bit patch and that is when he got the error message. First thing I would try is uninstalling the 32 bit version and then reinstalling it. Then try to apply the 32 bit patch. If your still having problems you may need to clean up the registry - there may be something left from the attempt to install the 64 bit version that is screwing things up.

The other one ... or is it two of three? :think:

[Nigel H-J]

Gawd!!!!...This is killing my patience!!! :brick: :brick:

Have completed a full virus check with Kaspersky nothing found but what is happening is that the computer now when selecting a programme stops responding, equally when coming onto the internet it takes ages before the home page appears, in other words everything has slowed likened to treacle being poured straight from the freezer.

I am not doubting Kaspersky or Comodo but prior to having these my computer ran like an e-type.

Just don't know what the problem is as have done a system clean and defrag.

Nigel.

[SkippyBing]

Nigel, can't say what the problem is, but Kaspersky had no detrimental effect on my PCs performance, if anything it's probably a bit quicker without Norton slowing it down. So it's probably not a direct consequence of installing it.