Windows Firewall & ZoneAlarm

[Thunderfall]

I have used ZoneAlarm for a long time, but recently I am getting more internet connectivity problem than usual. I suspect ZoneAlarm PRO is to blame. I just uninstalled it and turned on Windows Firewall instead.

Do you think Windows Firewall is suffcient?

Any of you just use Windows Firewall, without using another firewall such as ZoneAlarm? Is there any other good third party firewall program that's free?

PS: If I still get internet connectibity problem now that ZoneAlarm is uninstalled, then the problem is caused by something else....

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Instead of a "software firewall," you could always use a router as a "hardware firewall." Good thing about it is that you're not at risk between the time you reinstall Windows and the time you install the firewall.

 

[Zelig]

Yes, Windows Firewall is fine for most purposes, particularly the Vista one, especially if you're on a network where your router/gateway is running a firewall anyway. It's all I use on any of my computers.

If you really want something other than the Windows Firewall, Comodo is probably the best third-party freeware Windows firewall.

 

[Thunderfall]

Instead of a "software firewall," you could always use a router as a "hardware firewall." Good thing about it is that you're not at risk between the time you reinstall Windows and the time you install the firewall.

I have a router too. The router connects to the cablem modem, and I have a switch that connects to the router.

Yes, Windows Firewall is fine for most purposes, particularly the Vista one, especially if you're on a network where your router/gateway is running a firewall anyway. It's all I use on any of my computers.

If you really want something other than the Windows Firewall, Comodo is probably the best third-party freeware Windows firewall.

That's good to hear. I use Vista.

So far removing ZoneAlarm Pro does seem to help with the connection problem I have. Previously very often I got connection problem after 15 - 20 minutes, and that required restarting the computer to fix... Very annoying.

 

[Cutlass]

Zone Alarm worked very well for me until a recent update a month or 2 back. Then I had so many problems I had to remove it. I haven't reinstalled it, and haven't had a problem. It seems that Windows Firewall turns itself on automatically if there isn't another one running.

On the router, a more recent router is likely to have a good firewall, but an older one might not. I had a Compaq router that was maybe 6 or 7 years old, and I think the router itself was being attacked over the net and kept getting corrupted. I had to keep resetting it. So I bought a newer one and haven't had a problem.

 

[Aramazd]

Instead of a "software firewall," you could always use a router as a "hardware firewall." Good thing about it is that you're not at risk between the time you reinstall Windows and the time you install the firewall.

Since XP SP2, Windows firewall has been turned on when Windows is installed.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I forgot about that.

 

[Aramazd]

I forgot about that.

It's something you should know if you're remotely familar with Windows.

 

[ainwood]

Previously very often I got connection problem after 15 - 20 minutes, and that required restarting the computer to fix... Very annoying.

How do you connect to the router - wireless, or wired?

I have a wireless card, and the connection drops quite frequently too. However, I can right-click and repair the connection rather than reboot. Painful, but not as painful as rebooting.

I really need to get a decent wireless card....

 

[Agent327]

I use Mozilla Firefox plus AVG Free on Vista - no problems.

 

[J-man]

I have used ZoneAlarm PRO (I dowloaded it when it had the free offer) but I was incredibly a annoyed bye it. Way to much questions about blocking ar allowing programs even thought I had no malware. No I removed it and use the Vista firewall, works fine.

 

[Mise]

ZoneAlarm is basically a self-inflicted DoS attack.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

It's something you should know if you're remotely familar with Windows.

Well, if you've been using Windows 98 for 10 years, and NT-based Windows only 2 years, some things still slip the mind.

Especially if you keep falling down and banging your head.

 

[Thunderfall]

How do you connect to the router - wireless, or wired?

I have a wireless card, and the connection drops quite frequently too. However, I can right-click and repair the connection rather than reboot. Painful, but not as painful as rebooting.

I really need to get a decent wireless card....

Wired. I also have wireless but I don't use it much since wired is more reliable.

I forgot to try repair connection... that sometimes does help with connection problems.

 

[Thorn]

I recently installed ZoneAlarm and had the same problem as you, Thunderfall. The only solution was to uninstall ZoneAlarm. I won't be re-installing it. And you really shouldn't have to constantly click 'repair the connection' to get $$commercial software$$ to work

 

[El Koeno]

If you really want something other than the Windows Firewall, Comodo is probably the best third-party freeware Windows firewall.

I've been using COMODO on XP, it's pretty good. Comes with a virus scanner and pro-active defense, and it's pretty lightweight too! For some reason I've never really trusted the Windows firewall. But that's probably because I've never used it, so it never got the chance to be trusted, and used.

 

[Fetus4188]

I've been using Vista's Windows Firewall for the past 20 months with no incidents whatsoever. The most important thing is to have good usage habits, of course.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

I've been using Vista's Windows Firewall for the past 20 months with no incidents whatsoever. The most important thing is to have good usage habits, of course.

QOTD. If you're an idiot when browsing you're gonna get a virus/malware. Use some common sense and you can even negate the need for a firewall ( I've done it, and it worked just fine).

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

As in: Avoid porn and warez sites!

Someone I know told me how to stop getting viruses, and this one was known for... well, being sex-obsessed. I said "Stop looking at porn!"

 

[Genocidicbunny]

As in: Avoid porn and warez sites!

Someone I know told me how to stop getting viruses, and this one was known for... well, being sex-obsessed. I said "Stop looking at porn!"

Correction: avoid shady porn sites. And shady warez sites.