ZoneAlarm Issues/Alternate Firewall?

[giuseppe]

I've posted a bunch on my flakey DSL conection with Earthlink. With the help of PC Mech Forum members it is becoming more reliable.

THae latest thing I noticed is that sometimes when I couldn't log on turning off ZoneALarm would solve the problem. I've deleted it and am running just WIndows Firewall.

Any suggestions for another software Firewall? Is the Windows Firewall that bad?

[sataraid0]

You should be able to program ZA to allow you to log on. Its in there some where, however there are other alternatives to ZA that are also free. Just do a google search (free firewall programs} and it should show you several. The thing is, most of them have to be programed or at least given permission for program permission to acess the internet.

Try reading some of the tutorial for setting up firewalls for the specific one you are going to use.

I personally use ZA and have had no problems with it, but there are otherss out there just as good. The windows firewall is ok, but not as effective in some areas as other that have been on the market for a time.

Good luck.......................Sterling

[sataraid0]

You should be able to program ZA to allow you to log on. Its in there some where, however there are other alternatives to ZA that are also free. Just do a google search (free firewall programs} and it should show you several. The thing is, most of them have to be programed or at least given permission for program permission to acess the internet.

Try reading some of the tutorial for setting up firewalls for the specific one you are going to use.

I personally use ZA and have had no problems with it, but there are otherss out there just as good. The windows firewall is ok, but not as effective in some areas as other that have been on the market for a time.

Good luck.......................Sterling

[sataraid0]

OOOps, so sorry abt double post, don't know what happened?

.......................................Sterling

[glc]

If you are using a router or if you are using the Earthlink modem in the UHP mode, the Windows firewall is adequate. If you are using the modem in bridge mode and PPPoE software (Winpoet or the builtin XP PPPoE) you need something better.

That said, I just put mine on a router and I'm still using ZA 4.5 with no issues - but I'm not using the Earthlink modem, it died last summer and I replaced it with a Westell bridge modem.

[giuseppe]

Currently have the Earthlink modem in the UHP mode. GLC advised bridging it whihc I was going to do. But the connection is much more stable without ZA. So now I am ambivalent. Everything is behind a Linksys Router.

The problem is odd. It's not that I can't get ever get a connection. It's that if the connection is left idle I can't reconnect without rebooting. I realized that when this was happening, shutting off ZA would let me connect without having to reboot. That's why I decided to Axe it.

Maybe in bridge mode this wouldn't happen. But since it's working pretty well now my tendency is to leave well enough alone.

[glc]

BRIDGE MODE if you are using a Linksys. Trust me. You are translating IP addresses twice, that's enough to confuse any firewall.

[giuseppe]

I emailed Earthlink for instructions to bridge the modem. Still ambivalent though cause me connection is the best it's been.