Zone Alarm vs XP Firewall

[dilsburger]

Just looking for any sentiment one way or the other. I've run Zone Alarm free version for quite awhile and am curious - are there any good reasons to use XP's firewall instead?

Just something I've been wondering about. I've had no bad experiences with ZA and am wondering if it's worth updating all the time if XP will do the job.

[Steve]

I don't think XPs firewall is worth anything because it doesn't stop programs from connectiong to the internet FROM your computer. If you pick up a trojan program somewhere, it is free to connect to whoever planted it. Just look at the amount of spyware that gets installed on peoples computers and you'll see how easy it is to plant a trojan.

[HeadachesAbound]

The XP Firewall is a micro$oft program. Need I say anything else?


The truth be told, XP's firewall is a joke. As Steve pointed out, it doesn't really act like a firewall should in the respect that anything can get out. I highly recommend that you not use the XP firewall as it will not serve the intended purpose.

[Donn]

I don't have enough experience with the Xp firewalll to recommend or not recommend it, but just look around at the different forums and see how many people with Xp updated have trojan invaders complaints and request help. I see a lot of them. :(


I use Sygate free edition firewall, it is simple and effective:

http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

I understand Kerio is also good, but for somereason it didn't want to fit in with my Me syste, and that may be because mine is a little atypical

[Mark Miller]

As said it is OK keeping stuff out but does nothing from anything phoning home.
Sp2 is supposed to correct that, who knows?
Mark
I actually use 2 firewalls, the one which came with my wireless router [hardware] and Mcafee [soft]. Seems to work well

[deddard]

XP firewall - about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Stick to ZA!

[RvN]

What are you guys impressions of the Norton 2004 Firewall?

[dilsburger]

Thanks all I appreciate it, that sure was easy! :D

Steve's first bullet about XP not blocking anything from getting out was all I needed to hear... Thanks again!

Good to hear from you Mark M - I don't get much time online these days it seems - hope all is well. As you mention SP2 is to correct the "problem", also the firewall will be turned on by default. That's what originally got me thinking if it was worthwhile or not. None the less I'm staying with ZA.

[Mark Miller]

Hi dilsburger,
glad to see you also, for now Za seems to be everyone's favorite, though i have been reading that since they bought a anti-virus co [forget which one] that things have gotten alittle more complicated and that there are some problems with the new version.
not sure but that is what I have read in the dsl security forums.
Mark

[deddard]

Originally posted by Mark Miller
for now Za seems to be everyone's favorite, though i have been reading that since they bought a anti-virus co [forget which one] that things have gotten alittle more complicated and that there are some problems with the new version.
not sure but that is what I have read in the dsl security forums.
Mark

Spot on - the last but one (can't remember the number offhand) update of ZA was a complete dog. I rolled back to the previous version because of the problems it caused. The latest version apparently has sorted the problems, but I'm hanging on til I see good reports before allowing the upgrade.