What Computer Firewall Software are You Using?

[pgurlea]

My AVG Firewall/anti-virus subscription ends this Friday and I am curious as to what you are using? I use a cable modem. I started out with Norton but it seemed to slow my computer down so I switched to AVG. AVG uses a lot of resources during computer startup and the daily computer scan but its smooth sailing after that. I will probably go with AVG for another year but I’d like to hear what you use and why.
Thanks,
Paul

[dgood]

Windows Live OneCare

Why?

Because it's cheap and it works.

[Suproman77]

Well, you can continue to use the free version of AVG antivirus or use Avast instead which is also free. I used AVG and switched to Avast and never looked back. It's better than most of the ones you pay for according to the tests I've read.

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

I believe the absolute best free firewall out there right now is Comodo...received tremendous ratings. Practically nothing gets by it.

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

FWIW, I don't pay sh*t for computer security. With so many fantastic free programs out there, there's no need to, IMO.

[pgurlea]

Good points. I could buy a decent used pedal for what I'm paying for firewall software.:bong

[pcutt]

Outpost. Been using it for about 8 years now with no probs. Highly recommended by the geek community.

[RAILhead]

Mac OS X

/first!

[rog951]

I'm using Bit Defender 2008. Norton was slowing my machine to a crawl; everything runs much better under BD. That said, for all I know it's stealing all my Bank/CC info and transmitting it back to Kenya or something...

[MikeE]

I'm currently using the free AVG but have used Avast in the past. Can't go wrong either.

[bluesboy77]

Mac OS X

/first!


heh heh


/second! :stir

[Rik]

Well, you can continue to use the free version of AVG antivirus or use Avast instead which is also free. I used AVG and switched to Avast and never looked back. It's better than most of the ones you pay for according to the tests I've read.

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

I believe the absolute best free firewall out there right now is Comodo...received tremendous ratings. Practically nothing gets by it.

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

FWIW, I don't pay sh*t for computer security. With so many fantastic free programs out there, there's no need to, IMO.

+1 avast..

[googoobaby]

I'm using Tomato running on a Linksys WRT54GL. The computers have their own too, but the network level firewall gives me more control.

[Brian D]

The free version of ZoneAlarm. Works like a charm.

By the way, if you want to test your firewall go to Gibson Research and use the "Shield's Up (https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2)" tester. Click on the "All Service Ports" scan after you hit the "proceed" button on the linked page for an overall scan.

There are a lot of great downloads and some fantastic security information on that site as well.

[jazzandmetal?]

heh heh


/second! :stir

3rd.:knitting


But my mac has a built in firewall and so does my wireless router.

[Rik]

I'm using Tomato running on a Linksys WRT54GL. The computers have their own too, but the network level firewall gives me more control.

Cool on the Tomato, I am running dd-wrt 24 mega.. WRT54G v2's have you compared the two? I haven't yet.. very curious to try Tomato.

[bluesjunior]

I use Comodo Firewall Pro together with Avira Antivirus, Comodo BoClean and SpywareBlaster as real time protection. All free programs and I haven't had more than the usual 3-4 tracking cookies when I do my weekly scan with Superantispyware also a free program for over three years now. I have used both AVG and Avast as AV before but Avira consistently comes out on top in head to heads as well as being very light on resources.

[googoobaby]

Cool on the Tomato, I am running dd-wrt 24 mega.. WRT54G v2's have you compared the two? I haven't yet.. very curious to try Tomato.

I'm afraid not. Tomato is just so polished and usable. About the only thing missing is VPN which someone has actually included in a custom build.

[Boobala]

ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/zonealarm_free_firewall_b.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en) (free)

[PolyMorf]

Windows Live OneCare

Why?

Because it's cheap and it works.I use it on 3 PC's at home and agree 100%

[mark norwine]

I believe the absolute best free firewall out there right now is Comodo...received tremendous ratings. Practically nothing gets by it.

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


I was using ZoneAlarm, but it got corrupted, so I removed it. Since I still needed something to replace it, I downloaded comodo.

Seems decent, but: It auto-installed one of those ANNOYING-AS-HELL toolbars across the top of my browser, with all sorts of links to ask.com

Is there a way to keep comodo & ditch the stupid toolbar? Anyone know?

[Suproman77]

I was using ZoneAlarm, but it got corrupted, so I removed it. Since I still needed something to replace it, I downloaded comodo.

Seems decent, but: It auto-installed one of those ANNOYING-AS-HELL toolbars across the top of my browser, with all sorts of links to ask.com

Is there a way to keep comodo & ditch the stupid toolbar? Anyone know?

You should be able to remove it in the add/remove programs...it's labeled 'SafeSurf Toolbar'. I believe the program gives you the option of not installing the free toolbar when you install the program...usually have to uncheck a box.

Hope that helps...and I hope you can remove it.

[TD_Madden]

Comodo as well.

Avira for the anti-virus....also free.

[jammybastard]

If you read up on hackers, viruses, trojans, etc...
there are 2 programs they can't overcome:

ESET's NOD32 Antivirus
(http://www.eset.com/)

Kaspersky Internet Security/Anti-virus
(http://www.kaspersky.com/)

These are both industrial strength products, but
I use NOD32.

I also regularly scan with Spybot Search and Destroy, which is free and I run "Adblock Plus " and "No Script" in Firefox.
All of those are free and are good enough for most people.

[mge80]

If you read up on hackers, viruses, trojans, etc...
there are 2 programs they can't overcome:

ESET's NOD32 Antivirus
(http://www.eset.com/)

Kaspersky Internet Security/Anti-virus
(http://www.kaspersky.com/)

These are both industrial strength products, but
I use NOD32.


And I use Kaspersky. No complaints at all.