Firewall

[buddry]

I was wondering what people used for firewalls with XP, or if they used them at all. I was wondering because I don't like what came with xp.

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[Scotty35]

I use <A HREF="http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/zap/zap_details.jsp" target="_new">Zone alarm Pro 3</A> as it is the best around IMO, and I have a router with a firewall inbuilt as well. I dont care to use XP's native firewall, I have not even really looked at it but I am sure it works.

You can download the free <A HREF="http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/zap_za_grid.jsp;JSESSIONID_ZL_STORE_COMMERCE=9Y6mrLfdqT1MS2sXR5kI1DJ18z2CsTRNyyrhNOt723739v1us2N5!456306139!173109957!7511!7512" target="_new">Zone Alarm</A> for home use only.




<A HREF="http://www.btvillarin.com/phpBB/index.php" target="_new">A better place to be</A> <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by scotty35 on 10/01/02 11:40 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[nja469]

XP's built-on firewall works fairly well for incoming traffic. Though it has no outbound protection, which renders you helpless to trojans or other programs accessing the internet that you might not want doing so.

I have tried the McAfee and Norton firewall suites; I found zone alarm to be the best of them all. It allows assignment of specific program access to the internet and can prompt you to deny access to any program at any time. Also it places your ports into an effective "stealth mode", hiding them from any incoming pings, etc. This all comes with the free version.

The PRO version offers the same level of protection, but offers many more customization options and a highly effect ad-blocker. ZA also blocks scripts it considers possibly malicious. One of these scripts happens to be eBay's java app for listing items; thus, I have to turn off ZA to effectively list an item. Browsing the web without it active is simply a totally unpleasant experience. It's astonishing as to how many pop-ups and floating ads there are now! ZA blocks, I'd say 90% of them. I only get an ocassional pop-up and never seen those in your face ads they're using now until I used the web w/o ZA. Even as I type now I notice that at the top of this page, where it says "THG Community", below it where an ad should be there is simply a blank white area since ZA blocked it.

Lastly, it offers privacy options that are far superior to internet explorer's cookie and privacy controls. As mentioned above, there is protection from code that is potentionaly malicious in email and websites.

Hands down the best firewall of the bunch. I don't feel safe without it, especially being on a broadband, always on connection and my frequent use of kazaa and other p2p networks.


Try a 30-day trial of PRO, <A HREF="http://download.com.com/redir?pid=10148660&merid=69168&mfgid=69168<ype=dl_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3000-2092-10148660&ontId=2092&destUrl=%2F3001-2092-10148660.html" target="_new"> here.</A>

 

[Scotty35]

Yes I agree totally, well explained nja469.



<A HREF="http://www.btvillarin.com/phpBB/index.php" target="_new">A better place to be</A>

 

[silverpig]

separate linux router

Some day I'll be rich and famous for inventing a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet.

 

[CALV]

separate linux router

Ditto


If they squeeze olives to get olive oil, how do they get baby oil?

 

[buddry]

Zonealarm is what I used to use on my 98 box until I built my new one. I heard a couple people call it garbage, but I didn't really agree with them, so I thought I would ask you guys. I have used the winxp firewall for a little bit now, and I don't really care for it at all. I will be heading back to zone alarm. And thanks for the advice nja, I will consider purchasing the pro version. The only thing I didn't like about zonealarm is that I couldn't open a specific port up. Maybe a different version would allow this.
Anyways, thanks for all the responses, I appreciate them.

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[CALV]

I've never seen zone alarm recieve anything but good reports.


If they squeeze olives to get olive oil, how do they get baby oil?

 

[psykoikonov]

I'm with Calv and scotty35. Zone Alarm is an excellent software fireall, and XPs sucks. XPs only does incoming not outgoing to start.

<b>Who needs heatsinks and fans, I have an igloo</b>