FIREWALL? best brands for computer?

[oscar111]

Please help seminewbie pick a better computer firewall than the one i have. Mainly want to stop hackers ... PS best to stop them at the level of browser or OS?

What are the best brands ? Virus killer also needed, not happy with the brand i now have.

Many thanks and deep gratitude to all who help me in this hour of need!

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Do you have broadband? If so, screw software firewalls,

and get yourself a router.

THAT is your best defense.

[qnr]

2. I wholeheartedly agree.

[oscar111]

3. no broadband.. dialup What do you recomd for us slow types using

just the old fashioned dial up?

gracias

[democracyindanger]

6. ZoneAlarm

at ZoneLabs.com

They have a free version, dunno if it includes firewall, but the pay-fer version does.

[qnr]

7. I'm walking the dog now, not ignoring you. Others will reply :) n/t

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. First, I would recommend you upgrade to broadband.

The Internet, in a year or two, is gonna be completely frustrating at any speeds lower than broadband.

But, given that that isn't an option for you, for whatever reason, then I can't help you. I haven't used firewall software in years.

But I do know this - don't use Norton's. Just like you shouldn't use anything by Norton's, you DEFINITELY should not use Norton's Firewall or Norton's Anti-virus.

You could even go without a firewall, especially if you are never online for very long. The chances of you being nailed are slim. Also helpful would be for you to close all your ports and make yourself secure that way first. If you are running Windows XP, it will help you turn all the stuff off you don't need and that hackers tend to hit.

If you do that, and aren't online very long at a time, I wouldn't waste the money or the computer's processing power running a firewall.

[CatholicEdHead]

16. I wouldn't do that

Leo Laporte always says that any unprotected computer is hit with worms the second it is connected. Granted even the built in XP Firewall is better than nothing, but something should be in place (e.g. router) before you connect.

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. Yes, but he has dialup, so a router is not an option.

That's the situation we're working with.

[Gold Metal Flake]

4. Can you hip a moron?

What is this router that you speak of? What kinds work with ordinary DSL for a simple wireless network (802.11b) of 3 or 4 PCs?

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. I use a Linksys router.

The router sits between your broadband connection (whether cable or DSL) and your computers. My router comes with a few ethernet connections (four, I think) and is also wireless G, so I can broadcast my broadband in a wireless network.

The Linksys routers (and other brands, so far as I know) have built-in firewalls, PLUS they will make your network look like just one computer, the router, to anyone on the outside (except the best of the hackers, against whom there is no protection anyway), so that they can't even see the individual computers.

If you have a wireless network, then I should assume that you have a router already, since I don't know of any other equipment available to the layman that would give you a router-less wireless network; and if you are not a layman and have some special equipment, then you know more than me, so you would know that you have it.

[Gold Metal Flake]

18. OK. I have the 2Wire 1000SW modem router supplied w/ SBCGlobal-Yahoo DSL

The 2Wire Home Portal Monitor software is supposed to have some firewall capability. The SBC software somes with Zone Alarm free version.

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. You are running SBC software on your computer?

With a router, you shouldn't need any special software on your computer at all. The router does all the connecting so your computer doesn't have to.

Are you sure the modem is also a router?

[Gold Metal Flake]

21. The DSL modem/router is manufactured by 2Wire.

As is the software. http://2wire.com/?p=8

I was just checking some of those firewall test links and it looks like I'm not in bad shape.

I do NOT use the SBC browser.

[texanwitch]

5. I have heard this, could you explain why and how, I have broadband.

[CatholicEdHead]

9. Go hardware router and use ZoneAlarm (free version) on your machines

I feel very secure.

[oscar111]

15. Firewalls usually downloadable size.. dialup speed.. or days long download

thanks to all, for advice esp the bit about Norton.. i did not know that!

[CatholicEdHead]

26. ZoneAlarm is 7-8MB in size

it is very easy to get on dialup.

[Ptah]

11. This is the end, my friend:

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. What? Again?!

:P

[Ptah]

14. Until you get it right. Now, from the top:

Whiskey River, take my mind
Don't let a memory talk to me
Whiskey River, don't run dry
You're all I got, take care of me
I'm drowning in a Whiskey River
Bathing my memory's mind in the wetness of its soul
Feeling the amber current flowing from my mind
To warm an empty heart you left so cold

[democracyindanger]

12. FAQ here

http://www.firewallguide.com/faq.htm

test your security here

http://www.firewallguide.com/test.htm

[mvd]

17. Here's what I use

McAfee Personal Firewall Plus for software firewall. I have a router, so this is mainly used for outbound protection. It lacks advanced rule making, but it's free for Comcast subscribers. Also, KIS 2006 beta, which has a firewall, isn't working well on my computer - so that's another reason why I chose the McAfee firewall.

Anti-virus: I use Kaspersky Personal Pro 5.0. Very frequent updates; tends to find rare stuff not found by other AVs. If they improve its heuristics (which aren't much better than Norton's,) it would be the ultimate AV. www.kaspersky.com

[oscar111]

22. The firewalll that comes with XP.. "windows firewall".. how good is it?

'And... is hardware firewall a gadget that one can order by internet?

Are the firewall test sites truthful, or preset to scare you fictiously into buying the firewall for sale?

Thanks to all for all the sage advice to this newbie !!!

[mvd]

23. I suppose that you could get by with the XP firewall

But it only has inbound protection. Malware can still phone home. I guess it depends on how safe your surfing is. I like the protection of my router + software firewall even though I'm not a danger surfer. The internet can get pretty wild.

My favorite test site is grc.com, but some say even that gives false reports. I'd test your firewall at a few sites.

Always glad to offer advice. :hi:

[GirlinContempt]

24. I like Trend Micro

[oscar111]

25. anyone else have comments? and thanks to all so far! nt

[Guy Fawkes]

27. ZoneAlarm is the best one, I think.

The ZA suite also includes a great virus checker.