Getting back in the swing of things... what is the latest on free firewalls?

[TimPoet]

Is ZoneAlarm still top dog? Who is and if I have to buy one, what would you recommend?

[newbuilder14]

I've heard good things about Zone Alarm - I would also recommend you use AVG Free AntiVirus. With XP you will have an integrated firewall as well.

[TimPoet]

I've heard good things about Zone Alarm - I would also recommend you use AVG Free AntiVirus. With XP you will have an integrated firewall as well.
Oh that's right, I think I heard glc recommend the XP firewal- or am I mistaken?
Guess I could do a search....

[tomkear2006]

Is ZoneAlarm still top dog? Who is and if I have to buy one, what would you recommend?

If you have XP with Service Pack 2 installed then the firewall included is perfectly good. If you want an alternative, for whatever reason, Zonealarm is still a great firewall.

[newbuilder14]

I wouldn't worry too much about this stuff - as long as you have an AntiVirus and a Spyware Removal Tool and you know what to click you should be fine. I personally use McAfee.

[dogdude16]

i use avg free antivirus and ad-ware and xp firewall and they are great. if you are smart about what u download and such then u should be fine.

[thefultonhow]

The XP firewall is the one to use if you have XP. If you don't, get ZoneAlarm 4.5 -- 6.0 is not so hot.

[Ob1]

if you have a hardware firewall/router then xp firewall is plenty.

with dialup using the xp firewall is still adequate. you can further protect yourself if your pc is not on a network and is not connecting to a company network by removing client for microsoft networks and file and print sharing by removing them from your dial up connection properties in network connections.

3rd party firewalls tend to add more complexity/headaches especially if you dont know how to properly configure them.