Firewalls and Vista

Taffycat

Taffycat

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I was just wondering what the situation is regarding Vista and Firewalls. Do those of you who already use Vista recommend using the built-in Windows Firewall (has it undergone any significant improvements from it's XP predecessor?) Or is it still the more secure option to choose a third-party Firewall?

Thanks for reading :D
 
The Firewall in Vista has been improved and includes and out-going filter, however, unless you know how to "configure" this or can call on a Rocket Scientist with a PHD in Firewalls, I would forget about it. ;)


KIS ... keep it simple ... err, I mean Kaspersky Internet Security. :nod:

I dunno if our local supplier, Ian C, can get you a nice "cheap" copy, but KIS is perfect on my PC. :thumb:

Other, and some are free, firewalls are available ... bear in mind WE don't recommend Norton or McAfee ... and you will, with a stand-alone firewall, need an AV program + most of the other anti-nastie software to help out also.

Me, I like it to Keep-It-Simple ... I use KIS, Microsoft Windows Defender and SpywareBlaster ... I occasionally run SBS&D and that is it. :nod:

I quite like IE7 as it is tied into Vista's security, though it has taken me some time to get used to it ... I also like Windows Mail, the Vista version of Outlook Express. It is still a pretty basic email program but the slight improvement on security is good enough for me.

Remember, nothing will offer 100% safe 'tinternet browsing, we still need to act with caution, but at least the new "features" in Vista are a step in the right direction.


:user:
 
Thank you Mucks, this is helpful. I'm currently using a mixture of Zone Alarm on one machine and Comodo on the other, (I've been using ZA for years, so have become very "comfortable" with it, but I know it doesn't find favour with everyone.) I shall take a look at KIS though, whilst it is slightly premature, there's nothing like doing a bit of 'homework' in advance, I think :thumb:

Yes, I will be steering well clear of Norton - having seen too many grumbles here and elsewhere about it, ditto MacAfee
nod.gif
I'm still using AVG on the current XP PCs .... yes, I know, it's not in favour with everyone, but I got into an awful muddle with Antivir so it became a case of "better the devil you know.." :rolleyes:

When we get ADSL I'm thinking that it might be good to choose a router which has a firewall (for use in addition to whatever is on the PCs?) I'm being a bit premature again here though ... we didn't want to get ADSL before the new rig is delivered, because it's going to mean a change of email address and I don't want to confuse things with the PC builders (probably being a bit paranoid, but it seems to help if things can be kept simple.)

Thanks again for your answer Mucks :D

 
Whatever your comfortable with will probably do you to a tee ... I don't think you are the type to go to too many unsavory type websites. :D

I have in the past stayed well clear of all-in-one solutions and I was a great advocate of Norton at one time too. :D

A Router should be of the NAT verity, meaning it will be classed as a hardware firewall, this isn't strictly true, but, if your ISP do not supply one (free) then look elsewhere. It is still recommended to use a software firewall also. ;)

I would advise anybody to setup a gmail account, sorry that's googlemail in the UK, it then don't matter who the hell your ISP is, you can use the same email address, and it's POP3 compatible. That means I can use OE or Vista Mail to receive my email. I only log on to my gmail accounts once a week to dump the spam that it filters and have a laugh at them. :thumb:

I forget who your present ISP is. :rolleyes:


:user:
 
I'm embarrassed to admit it Mucks, but I have three web-mail accounts - including googlemail - but getting carried away in the moment, it didn't dawn on me to use one of them when ordering! How daft is that :lol: Oh well, I don't suppose a few more weeks will matter that much :rolleyes: I must have a go at retrieving mail from gmail via PoP3 though. That would be useful :nod:

We're with Claranet, so we can choose which router we buy. (Until fairly recently they only allowed the connection of ONE PC to an ADSL modem - but they now have "ADSL Max," so we can connect as many PCs as the router can accommodate.) Forgive me for wandering off topic slightly, but just out of interest, we are lucky, because our BT Exchange (Cardiff) is one of the first to benefit from BTs 21st Century Network (21CN) rollout which began last year - here - So hopefully that should be good :thumb:

I have added your advice regarding a NAT router to my info list .... I am gradually becoming educated here!! :D
 
We all continue to learn ... despite all the "techno gossip" I read and being on BT I hadn't heard of 21CN before now. Interesting, thanks. :thumb:



:user:
 
I would go with sygate if you already have antivirus installed and just want a firewall.
(otherwise I go with Kapersky all in one)
Saying that though, you could go out and buy a wireless router with a built in firewall for the same price as a lot of integrated firewall/antivirus software solutions, I tend to use both for that extra layer of security (although its probably overkill in most cases.)
 
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