Thinking of getting a new firewall.... ideas?

[TwoRails]

For no particular reason, I'm thinking of not renewing my Zone Alarm Pro subscription. Had it for years now and have no complaints at all.

Does it have any competition? I've heard good things about Comodo but never checked it out.

Any recommendations? All are welcome :)

TIA :)

TR

[shadowpr]

I set Comodo on my dads computer.

It seems ok. Sort of annoying in the beginning while you tell it yes or no for every little thing.

[12twelve12]

Check out Filseclab (http://www.filseclab.com/eng/products/firewall.htm). It's free and not a resource hog like ZA. Does a fantastic job in my opinion.

[TwoRails]

Thanks folks :) I'll check out each a little further.

Any others to check out while I'm at it??

[shadowpr]

I think it would also depend on what os you're using.

I found that I don't need one with vista, and being behind a router.

[david08]

I set Comodo on my system, it works good with me.

[METAL13]

I support Comodo myself, Zone Alarm is a pain, or use one like AVG Firewall.

For free stick with Comodo!

[ Comodo Firewall Download Page ] (http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html)

[Force Flow]

I've been eyeing comodo, and was thinking of throwing it on one of my machines at work to play with it since kerio is more or less out of the picture as a free firewall now

[TwoRails]

Looking around a (very) little, Comodo does get good reviews. For giggles, I checked on the renewal price on Zone Alarm Pro and they want $30. ($40 for new users) - That was about what I paid for a multi-year renewal years ago.

From "the best free software" link in the daily tips, a short overview of several free firewalls. Surprising to me is that they don't even recommend free Zone Alarm:

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-firewall.htm

[glc]

Behind a router, I still think the XP SP2/3 and Vista firewalls are fine.

[TwoRails]

That's OK for some. In fact, I've never installed a firewall on my Better-Half's computer. But then she doesn't do a whole lot of surfing and doesn't install anything. I do all maintenance and have all "auto updates" turned off on everything that can turn off.

I know it's not for everyone, but I personally prefer knowing when something is going out. If a 1/2 dozen programs auto update, then if you develop a problem.... which one is the culprit? Just makes life easier for me in the long run as I usual will do at least a System Restore, or maybe a full backup before I do any major updates / upgrades.

[bossvas]

i use comodo and it performs good

[Peli]

I have tried Zone Alarm and I it was good for a few years, but when I got a new Hard Drive I decided I might aswell try a new firewall.

So I installed Comodo and it was great, I would have to say that it beats Zone Alarm in:

- User Interface
- Extra features
- More informative alerts
- Malware scan at install

Yes, it is very annoying when you first install it, because it seems to ask you multiple times about the same programs, and when you are installing a program it alerts you like every 30 seconds if you'd like to switch modes...

But give it time for those annoying things to stop, but if you can't wait go into the firewall and set all your trusted programs to 'Trusted Application' and it shouldn't bother you again unless that programs is updating or something.

And the best thing is, IT'S 100% free and you have an opportunity to get a paid version! :)

[TwoRails]

Comodo is sounding better all the time. What's different in the paid version??

[Peli]

The usual perks, too many to read off to you off the top of my head, but here is their website:

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

They have a forum under support area aswell, so you can learn more and if you do choose to go Pro Plus (which is the paid version) then you can get 24/7 support.

[mikeL]

I dumped ZA after a conflict with AVG8.0, installed Comodo FW Pro. No complaints here, very user configurable.

[TwoRails]

Thanks for the info, folks :) - and the link. I'm D/Ling it now, and at the rate I move, I'll be a month before I get to be able to try it...