Recommend a Firewall? 1

[melmitts]

As a long time registered user of the Sygate software, I am disappointed but not surprised that Symantec has chosen to kill it...

Any recommendations on a replacement or a referral to a good resource comparison of what is available out there?

Thanks
Mel

 

[erikhertzel]

I would take a look at the following page:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,646315,00.asp

Hope that helps,

Erik

 

[Mel66]

I am an IT journalist and the mag I write for has done extensive test on a variety of Antivirus programs.
AVG Pro. came out tops, closely followed by their 'freebie' version.
I personally use the 'Free' version as it more than does the job.
The worst programs in our test were those by Norton and McAfee, both which charge you an arm and a leg for not very much. I personally recommend 'AVG' everytime.

 

[FWPIII]

I have had good luck with the free version of zone alarm. there is a learning curve involved for both the user and the software. Once you get used to using it, it works very well.

 

[RMGBELGIUM]

agnitum outpost is really good stuff.Good and practical interface.And it ain't a colorbook like zonealarm

rgds,

R.

 

[BadBigBen]

Basicly, I prefer a Hardware Firewall first (ie. build into a Router) then back that up with Kerio's Personal Firewall...

@Erik - the link you supplied and the information contained therein is hopelessly outdated (11.09.02)....


@RMGBELGIUM - don't get me wrong, but I do not care if a programm looks like a x-mas tree or like an old DOS programm, if it does it's job well.... and ZoneAlarm has been one of the better out there...

@Mel66 - A Firewall is a Firewall... you recommended an AntiVirus Program! just not making sense... cuz, having just an AntiViral Proggy installed will do you no good these days... but you should always back up your firewall with a good AntiViral program, in that light it is a sound suggestion...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[s0121]

I use Symantec AV Corp v.10 and Sygate 5.5 Firewall... No problems noted... XP SP3

Frank Smith irc.dhcnetwork.com

SomeWhere in Kansas Near Dodge City

 

[linney]

Some links.

http://www.firewallguide.com/software.htm#Comparative

http://www.garykessler.net/library/securityurl.html#firewall

Most purchasable firewalls have a free trial period you can make use of. ZoneAlarm (free) or the SP2 inbuilt one are free.

Whatever you end up with, I recommend that you make use of the firewall stealth test via the "Shields Up" test at Steve Gibson's site at

http://www.grc.com.

 

[melmitts]

First, Thanks to all for your input...

As I said at the start, I really like Sygate's Firewall. However, according to Symantec who now owns Sygate, they are going to kill Sygate Personal on December 1, 2005 keeping only Sygate Corporate.

At this point, from what I have read in various feedback around the net--

Symantec Personal Firewall -- Resource Hog

ZoneAlarm 6 -- Has some serious problems locking out user access without warning.

ZoneAlarm 5 -- Good but dated.

Outpost -- Quirky setup and problems with some DSL connections.

Please understand, I am not knocking any of these and don't want to start a war. I am just looking for a replacement for my Sygate 5.5 Pro.

Thanks
Mel

 

[s0121]

I agree but currently still going to keep Sygate 5.5..
Not sure I want to switch to Symantec Firewall or not... have several others that I can use... I also have Iolo System Mechanic 5. which has a firewall I might try.. will not switch until I know that Sygate 5.5 does not work.
I also will be testing/looking for a different FW when Sygate 5.5 fails.

Frank Smith irc.dhcnetwork.com

SomeWhere in Kansas Near Dodge City

 

[BionicJohn]

ZoneAlarm is very good, and the initial problems of ZA6 have been sorted. The free version has the local network facility disabled, which is fine for a standalone. You will need to purchase ZA Pro if you want to connect to a local network without the firewall denying you access.

And, yes, get a router which acts as hardware firewall.

LIVERPOOL FC - 5 times Champions of Europe. 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[Vol4Ever]

Symantec (Norton) software always gets a bad rap, but I have used anti-virus, personal firewall, and most recently the internet security suite. Never really had any problems, and I am an avid PC user (and anal about security!)

Just my 0.02.

~Vol

 

[Frank4d]

I am using a Netgear RT-314 cable/dsl gateway router between my cable modem and five home PCs, and software firewalls are disabled on all PCs. I haven't had a problem in about 5-6 years. I have tried various software firewalls that run on each PC (in conjunction with the Netgear) and ran into so many intermittant connection problems I decided to disable them all. I am not sure if I am lucky or what, but it works for me.

 

[tazuk]

You will need to purchase ZA Pro if you want to connect to a local network without the firewall denying you access.

Not strictly true IMHO - I use ZA Free (latest release) on my laptop and connect to my home network for accessing files on my desktop (via mapped drives) and printing to my wireless print server without major issues - I did this through use of the "Trusted Zone" It's not as helpful when configuring as ZAPro, but does the job without issue.

Overall I'm a big fan of ZA, and have stuck with it for the past 3 / 4 years (using the Pro version on my desktop) despite running a DLink router hardware firewall at home. I install it on all new builds for friends and family and have yet to have anyone come back to me with configuration issues / major problems. Granted they had some issues with later v5 releases and early v6, but those seem to be resolved now.

HTH

TazUk

Blue-screening PCs since 1998

 

[pechenegs]

free firewalls


see here for discussions on these firewalls below!

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?s=4b1b44fb831e3c62b6a83ced3eb6c557&f=31

Filseclab Personal Firewall Professional Edition

http://www.filseclab.com/eng/download/downloads.htm

Rules based firewalls.


Netveda

http://www.download.com/NetVeda-Safety-Net/3000-10435_4-10382920.html

CHX-I

http://www.windowsfirewall.info/downloads.htm

This link to download the rules set for CHX-I Bind pe and filters

http://members.shaw.ca/BIND-PE_and_ICS/chxi.htm

configuring CHX-I

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?s=55213562d5bddf46957b42e05997d546&t=87307

kerio 4

http://www.kerio.com

for Kerio 2.1.5

http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page7.html#Kerio Personal Firewall

how to set up and configure kerio rules based firewall.

http://www.dslextreme.com/users/surferslim/tpf.html

more advanced rules for kerio

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,8023708~mode=flat

http://www.jetico.com/

link below on jetico

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?s=9c6a94033f71b337054d52121053be10&t=79697

Look N Stop

http://www.looknstop.com/En/index2.htm

sites for testing firewalls

http://grc.com/

http://www.pcflank.com

http://scan.sygatetech.com/

http://www.firewallleaktester.com/leaktest12.htm