Best firewall?

[troysvihl]

What's the best free firewall out there for XP?

Any good or bad experiences with any particular one?

[DrZaius]

I've used these three firewalls for XP.

1. Outpost Firewall: I liked this one best, but I only used it in the beta stage and it caused some pages not to load. It had a lot of good features (ad blocking, mail checking, script blocking) and it is freeware.
2. Norton Internet Security: This is the one I'm using now. It's easy to use and you don't have to do anything after the initial setup. It also has good features like mail checking and ad blocking. You can find it for very cheap (around $15, OEM CD) and it comes with the latest version of Norton Antivirus which is good.
3. Zone Alarm: The most popular, but I don't like its interface and lack of features other than the basic application firewall.

Hope that help.

[Christoph]

My Linksys router/firewall is the first barrier for intruders and then I still have a Symantec firewall running on my PCs - it also shows me who's calling home. I prefer spending money for security by getting quality products. Remember that have plenty of personal information on your machine (at least I do).

Christoph

[HAL9000]

What people fail to remember is that when somebody hacks your machine, it's not necessarily personal information or your grandma's secret chocolate chip cookie recipe that they may be looking for. What they may want to do with your machine is use it as a gateway to hack something bigger and better so when the trace goes on to see who did it, it looks like you instead of the actual perpetrator. Face it, if you were going to hack a bank or credit company, would you want it to look like it was from your machine, or somebody elses?

[SARGE]

Originally posted by HAL9000 ... What they may want to do with your machine is use it as a gateway to hack something bigger and better so when the trace goes on to see who did it, it looks like you instead of the actual perpetrator. Face it, if you were going to hack a bank or credit company, would you want it to look like it was from your machine, or somebody elses?

Hal, excellent point; I never considered that.

[calmius]

go to www.grc.com they have free tests that can test your computer's internet security. Also they say Zone Alarm is the best firewall according to their tests. They criticized Norton Firewall.
There is not perfect protection, however, hackers can hack you if they really want to.

[SARGE]

Originally posted by calmius There is not perfect protection, however, hackers can hack you if they really want to.

Yeah, but make 'em work for it. Just as alarm systems, a Rottweiller and .44 magnum will discourage an intruder into the home, if one is determined...

[LawyerRon]

ZoneAlarm Pro generally wins the big "shootouts" but of course it's not free.

I have a Netgear router and use the free version of ZA. What you really want to prevent is (along with just "snooping") someone transfering data back from your computer or turning your machine into a Zombie. Steve Gibson's site has an excellent article about one such encounter.

[ryanatalie]

I have used ZA Pro for awhile, but prefer the Sygate firewall.

[lil Jimmie]

Originally posted by SARGE Yeah, but make 'em work for it. Just as alarm systems, a Rottweiller and .44 magnum will discourage an intruder into the home, if one is determined...

That is my philosophy Sarge.
One Linksys router, ZA PRO, Alarm System, two pure bred rott's, one confused and troubled lab/rott mix (and is the one to really watch out for) and one .357 magnum if one makes it that far.

[troysvihl]

thanks for all the responses.