Firewalls

[Erik]

I just got a cable modem from AOL/Time Warner. I now want to firewall my computer, and am looking for some advice as to an effective method that will work in my situation:
Gateway P4 1.7Ghz 512Mb RAM Windows XP AOL 7.0

I want to hear from someone that can give me a reasonable assurance that something will work before I go and spend my money.

Should I get a router/firewall? Will it work?
Is a software based firewall better? Is Norton Internet Security 2002 any good for me? <READ Will it work, or will it disable my connection?>
I ask because I downloaded ZoneAlarm witch I heard was good to find that it wouldn't allow me to view web pages. When I enabled it and tried to view a site it was unable to connect. After disableing the firewall I could connect just fine.

Thanks,
Erik

[Whyzman]

Erik,

Just posted in your other thread regarding ZA. As I mentioned there, ZA is the best out there from everything I've been able to gather from the PC Guide Forum Gurus. Something must not be set right...you should be able to allow any site at your discretion.

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[BigBlue66]

Hi,

I had the same problems with ZA and AOL. I bought Norton Personal Firewall 2002 about five weeks ago and have been very pleased with it. It was reasonably priced, too.

If you want to spend money, I would recommend Norton. I have been using the old boy for 15 years with nary a problem. There are also others like Black Ice Defender, CheckIt and the list goes on. Haven't used any of them, just Norton, so can't offer an opinion one way or the other on those.

There are some free ones out there, so you might want to check them out. Also, wait for some more opinions.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

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Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.
- Pamela Vault Starr

[Whyzman]

Erik,

Oops forgot until I read BB's comment regarding AOL...I too am an AOL user and have had no problems with ZA. I was using v.6 but recently upgraded to AOL7.

There was a discussion recently regarding the reliability of the different Firewalls out there. If I remember correctly there were only 2 that passed the "leak" test. One of them was ZA...perhaps someone who remembers (getting old is not fun) can supply the other. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 12-18-2001).]

[Pianorak]

Whyzman <<...I too am an AOL user and have had no problems with ZA. I was using v.6 but recently upgraded to AOL7.>>

Can you still run ZA at a "high" security setting with AOL7? I managed that only after I had upgraded from AOL5 to AOL6. Are the added benefits of AOL7 worth having?

[Ghost_Hacker]

There was a discussion recently regarding the reliability of the different Firewalls out there. If I remember correctly there were only 2 that passed the "leak" test. One of them was ZA...perhaps someone who remembers (getting old is not fun) can supply the other


I don't remember the thread....but another good firewall that rates with ZA is "Tiny Personal firewall".

[rond36]

Gateway P4 1.7Ghz 512Mb RAM Windows XP AOL 7.0
Win XP and Zonealarm don't work well together even though MS just relesed an update that is supposed to fix this problem. Before you installed ZA did you disable Win XP's builtin firewall (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/networking/icf.asp) (it is enabled by default when you install Win XP) if not both firewalls running at the same time may cause problems.I use Ontrack NetDefense Firewall and have had it running along with XP's firewall without any problems. I dont know if Zonealarm will run properly if they are both running haven't tried it.



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I think Windows XP and Microsoft use more of my bandwidth than I do!

[crussty]

Not that I'm any expert on the subject, but I too had some problems with ZA in the past. I now have Sygate(free) Personal Firewall, and it seems to do quite nicely, no problems yet. Just a suggestion you might try. Does anyone know of any sites where you can do a leak test on firewals? I'd be interesed in trying one, just to seeee...


thanks,
crussty http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[evalroy]

Crustty,

Check out Steve Gibson's web site for some excellent diagnostic tools, http://grc.com/default.htm . Steve's site also has some fascinating articles and stories.

ER http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif


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I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there.
- Richard Feynman

[rond36]

crussty
dslreports.com (http://www.dslreports.com) offers a free firewall test also download and upload speed tests and several other tests

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I think Windows XP and Microsoft use more of my bandwidth than I do!