Firewall?

Houdini · 08-20-2005, 09:19 AM

My trial of ZoneAlarm Pro is expiring today. I'm trying to decide whether to trust Windows Firewall (downloading it today w/SP2) or to buy ZoneAlarm, which I have been pretty happy with. Any reccommendations?

Thanks!

bbrian · 08-20-2005, 09:53 AM

I know a lot of people here don't like it, but I find the window's firewall easy to configure and easy to work with. The price is nice too.

mechmike0034 · 08-20-2005, 11:42 AM

I use Windows Firewall plus Microsoft Antispyware (in lieu of a software firewall product which warns of outgoing connections)...

Plus, I am behind a properly configured NAT router/firewall.

None of this is infallable, but it has worked for me so far.

Markel · 08-20-2005, 01:41 PM

I bought a 2-year subscription to paid ZoneAlarm a while back. But then they released a version that reduced my download speed by more than half. For some reason, ZoneAlarm would not "play nice" with my Comcast service. ZoneAlarm just threw up their hands, so I threw out ZoneAlarm (with about 6 months left on my paid subscription). I've been using the free Sygate Personal Firewall since. Pretty good (it doesn't remember individual "don't show this alter again" settings like ZA did, which can be a bit annoying), and I want something that can alert/block on outbound traffic (which the Windows firewall does not). I'm also behing a router firewall.

Nija · 08-20-2005, 03:01 PM

I liked the firewall I got with PC-Cillian '05. But it doesn't like to work with ZoneAlarm Pro.

DarkFury · 08-20-2005, 03:59 PM

You could always go back to "free" ZoneAlarm.

I've never shelled out for the "Pro" version.

Kevster · 08-20-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

You could always go back to "free" ZoneAlarm.

I've never shelled out for the "Pro" version.

I have always just use the free version. It's always worked fine for me. I am considering checking out Black Ice Defender though after something I read recently.

MikeD · 08-20-2005, 10:26 PM

XP Firewall w/McAfee. Sits behind my locked down router. I feel pretty comfortable with this setup...

I would say do what makes you comfortable. If you feel OK with the Windows setup, then don't spend the $$$. If not, pick up ZA.

Good luck...

Markel · 08-21-2005, 03:17 PM

The free version of ZoneAlarm has the same problem with my Comcast service. In fact, when I was doing a WinXP install for a new computer for my son, I checked download speeds before and after installing ZoneAlarm. That's when I found out for sure that it was the problem.

sho.gun · 08-21-2005, 05:32 PM

check out kerio, they also have a free version

qwilliam · 08-25-2005, 07:24 PM

has anybody updated to the new zonealarm pro version yet? man, it is annoying. there are literally HUNDREDS of popups that occur because of their new "smartdefense" advisor crap. i can't even use my hotkeys anymore because of their "triple defense firewall" crap either. i'm always receiving a message about "lsa explorer is trying to be accessed by X program" or something like that. sure, i'm all for notification, but this seems to be an overkill for me.

now, i'm trying to decide whether or not i should use up the remaining 2 months on my subscription. i really liked how the pro version blocked ad's and flash animations and had a cache cleaner. but, with the release of version 6, it just seems that there are too many other little programs bundled along with the firewall that seem...well, pointless and make an otherwise great program bloated (the antispyware tab, for example. is it really necessary given that most of us use ad-aware, spybot, and/or ms antispyware?).

i might just have to go back to using 5.5 (which, imo, was the finest release of zonealarm pro) until zonealarm comes out with something that won't barrage me with messages and/or will not be bloated.

MikeD · 08-25-2005, 09:09 PM

Ehhh, came across this browsing Microsoft Vista and thought someone might find it interesting...

Quote:

Firewall and Windows Service Hardening
The personal firewall built into Windows Vista builds on the functionality that is included with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2. For example, Windows Vista's firewall blocks all inbound traffic until a computer has the latest security updates installed. The two-way firewall also includes outbound filtering that enables users to configure it to selectively block both outbound traffic and inbound traffic. Every aspect of Windows Vista's firewall can be configured using Group Policy settings, so client security settings remain constant. For the first time in a Windows operating system, Windows Vista firewall management is integrated with IPsec. The firewall works closely with Windows Service Hardening to restrict what services can do on the system, providing defense-in-depth and reducing opportunities for attackers to compromise vulnerable computers. Windows Service Hardening restricts critical Windows services from doing abnormal activities in the file system, registry, network, or any other resources that could be used to allow malware to install itself or attack other computers. For example, the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service can be restricted from replacing system files or modifying the registry.

_=DeltaForce=_ · 08-25-2005, 09:31 PM

Zone Alarm is the BEST!

GilbertsGrape · 08-26-2005, 04:58 AM

Zone alarm never worked well for me always caused problems. so i just decied to turn off all firewals and use ip pass throught now i can tun anything on the net with no problmes...... fell like i am a little naked though

DarkFury · 08-26-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilbertsGrape

Zone alarm never worked well for me always caused problems. so i just decied to turn off all firewals and use ip pass throught now i can tun anything on the net with no problmes...... fell like i am a little naked though

Maybe you just didn't stroke its ego or something...

You gotta tell it what a good firewall it is...

BTW... in "learning mode" I've never had a problem with mine...

08-20-2005, 09:19 AM	#1
Houdini Admiral Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: New Orleans Posts: 5,054	Firewall? My trial of ZoneAlarm Pro is expiring today. I'm trying to decide whether to trust Windows Firewall (downloading it today w/SP2) or to buy ZoneAlarm, which I have been pretty happy with. Any reccommendations? Thanks!

08-20-2005, 11:42 AM	#3
mechmike0034 aka the keg killer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ala-effin'-bama! Posts: 2,738	I use Windows Firewall plus Microsoft Antispyware (in lieu of a software firewall product which warns of outgoing connections)... Plus, I am behind a properly configured NAT router/firewall. None of this is infallable, but it has worked for me so far. __________________ "The price of progress is trouble." (C. F. "Boss" Kettering) "50% of the American public has below-average intelligence. 70% of the American public now has regular access to the Internet. Do the math." (unknown)

08-20-2005, 01:41 PM	#4
Markel Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 11,733	I bought a 2-year subscription to paid ZoneAlarm a while back. But then they released a version that reduced my download speed by more than half. For some reason, ZoneAlarm would not "play nice" with my Comcast service. ZoneAlarm just threw up their hands, so I threw out ZoneAlarm (with about 6 months left on my paid subscription). I've been using the free Sygate Personal Firewall since. Pretty good (it doesn't remember individual "don't show this alter again" settings like ZA did, which can be a bit annoying), and I want something that can alert/block on outbound traffic (which the Windows firewall does not). I'm also behing a router firewall. __________________ stay low... keep moving...

08-20-2005, 03:01 PM	#5
Nija Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2001 Location: City of The Dead Posts: 13,552	I liked the firewall I got with PC-Cillian '05. But it doesn't like to work with ZoneAlarm Pro. __________________ "Nija is the dark soul of gotapex. We don't like to talk about him." - LPMiller

08-20-2005, 03:59 PM	#6
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,997	You could always go back to "free" ZoneAlarm. I've never shelled out for the "Pro" version. __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

08-20-2005, 09:53 AM	#2
bbrian Lieutenant Commander Join Date: May 2000 Location: La-La Land Posts: 676	I know a lot of people here don't like it, but I find the window's firewall easy to configure and easy to work with. The price is nice too.

08-20-2005, 10:26 PM	#8
MikeD President, Cowboys Nation Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the 'burbs, west of D.C. Posts: 5,139	XP Firewall w/McAfee. Sits behind my locked down router. I feel pretty comfortable with this setup... I would say do what makes you comfortable. If you feel OK with the Windows setup, then don't spend the $$$. If not, pick up ZA. Good luck... __________________

08-21-2005, 03:17 PM	#9
Markel Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 11,733	The free version of ZoneAlarm has the same problem with my Comcast service. In fact, when I was doing a WinXP install for a new computer for my son, I checked download speeds before and after installing ZoneAlarm. That's when I found out for sure that it was the problem.

08-21-2005, 05:32 PM	#10
sho.gun the lemonizer Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Calabasas, CA Posts: 5,373	check out kerio, they also have a free version

08-25-2005, 07:24 PM	#11
qwilliam Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 138	has anybody updated to the new zonealarm pro version yet? man, it is annoying. there are literally HUNDREDS of popups that occur because of their new "smartdefense" advisor crap. i can't even use my hotkeys anymore because of their "triple defense firewall" crap either. i'm always receiving a message about "lsa explorer is trying to be accessed by X program" or something like that. sure, i'm all for notification, but this seems to be an overkill for me. now, i'm trying to decide whether or not i should use up the remaining 2 months on my subscription. i really liked how the pro version blocked ad's and flash animations and had a cache cleaner. but, with the release of version 6, it just seems that there are too many other little programs bundled along with the firewall that seem...well, pointless and make an otherwise great program bloated (the antispyware tab, for example. is it really necessary given that most of us use ad-aware, spybot, and/or ms antispyware?). i might just have to go back to using 5.5 (which, imo, was the finest release of zonealarm pro) until zonealarm comes out with something that won't barrage me with messages and/or will not be bloated.

08-25-2005, 09:31 PM	#13
_=DeltaForce=_ Captain Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Planet Mars Posts: 1,699	Zone Alarm is the BEST!

08-26-2005, 04:58 AM	#14
GilbertsGrape Captain Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: You can’t get there from here, USA Posts: 1,797	Zone alarm never worked well for me always caused problems. so i just decied to turn off all firewals and use ip pass throught now i can tun anything on the net with no problmes...... fell like i am a little naked though

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