OT Firewall

  • Thread starter Thread starter Peter Kerekes
  • Start date Start date
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Peter Kerekes

I am changing from dial-up connection to high-speed (DSL) access.

Currently using AVG - free v:7.0 with Thunderbird and Win2K.
I was told that with DSL connection I should use a firewall either
hardware (router) or software. The latter I am aware of Zone-Alarm and
Kerio, i believe neither is free.

Would appreciate any comment of the necessity of firewall, if so is
software OK. or should I use a router (for a single computer) ?

If software is OK. which one is recommended from above or any other than
those, preferable free.

Note: I am happy with AVG-free version.

TIA
 
Peter said:
I am changing from dial-up connection to high-speed (DSL) access.

Currently using AVG - free v:7.0 with Thunderbird and Win2K. I was
told that with DSL connection I should use a firewall either
hardware (router) or software. The latter I am aware of Zone-Alarm
and Kerio, i believe neither is free.
Click to expand...

Both are free for home use. I prefer Kerio.
Would appreciate any comment of the necessity of firewall, if so is
software OK. or should I use a router (for a single computer) ?
Click to expand...

Definitely do NOT go online without a firewall. Current estimates are
you have 12 minutes before you are infected with something.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/19/infected_in20_minutes/
...but that was last year.

Benefit of the software firewall: you will also know if something
wants to connect Outbound.

I'd recommend getting a router as well.
If software is OK. which one is recommended from above or any other
than those, preferable free.
Click to expand...

As above, I prefer Kerio. Version 4.something.
Note: I am happy with AVG-free version.
Click to expand...

Ok. <g> I use Avast! Links to the firewalls here:
http://home.rochester.rr.com/bshagnasty/tips.html
 
I am changing from dial-up connection to high-speed (DSL) access.

Currently using AVG - free v:7.0 with Thunderbird and Win2K.
I was told that with DSL connection I should use a firewall either
hardware (router) or software. The latter I am aware of Zone-Alarm and
Kerio, i believe neither is free.
Click to expand...

In my opinion, anyone on line should have at least a software firewall.

I think the free AVG is okay, but have a preference for the free Avast.
Would appreciate any comment of the necessity of firewall, if so is
software OK. or should I use a router (for a single computer) ?
Click to expand...
<snip>

I think you should have both. A router does have very good incoming
protection, but has no outgoing protection, to help defend against worms,
viruses, spyware, etc. A software firewall, except for the WinXP Windows
Firewall, has both outgoing and incoming protection. If having to choose
between a router and a software firewall, I think I would go with the
software firewall because of the needed (in my opinion) outgoing
protection.

Zone Alarm does have a good freeware version, but I have a preference for
the free Sygate.
 
Peter said:
I am changing from dial-up connection to high-speed (DSL) access.

Currently using AVG - free v:7.0 with Thunderbird and Win2K.
I was told that with DSL connection I should use a firewall either
hardware (router) or software. The latter I am aware of Zone-Alarm and
Kerio, i believe neither is free.

Would appreciate any comment of the necessity of firewall, if so is
software OK. or should I use a router (for a single computer) ?

If software is OK. which one is recommended from above or any other than
those, preferable free.

Note: I am happy with AVG-free version.

TIA
Click to expand...
I have high speed cable connection, for my AV I use Avast which is free
for personal use, your AVG free should continue to work just fine. If
interested you can check out Avast at
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html.

For a firewall I use both a router and a software firewall. My software
firewall is Sygate personal firewall which is also free for personal
use. You can check it out at http://smb.sygate.com/default.htm
My router is a D-Link DI-604 which retails for around $45. If you check
around you can get a rebate deal on it for around $20. Its easy to set
up and between the two I've been running a clean machine....

Taz
 
You can get a router for less than $100. They
enable you to specify exactly which ports are open
and which ones are not. Zone Alarm does have a
free version as well. I've been using it for a
number of years. I, too, use AVG and am happy
with it. Zone Alarm Pro costs about $50, but it
offers more settings and flexibility than the free
version. At the very least, I would say that Zone
Alarm should be a given. You can do this
immediately to get some security. Then ask around
about the router idea and get some extra input. I
bought a D-Link 4 port router for about $90 with a
$30 rebate. The deals are there. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Stan Cook
 
Peter said:
I am changing from dial-up connection to high-speed (DSL) access.

Currently using AVG - free v:7.0 with Thunderbird and Win2K.
I was told that with DSL connection I should use a firewall either
hardware (router) or software. The latter I am aware of Zone-Alarm and
Kerio, i believe neither is free.

Would appreciate any comment of the necessity of firewall, if so is
software OK. or should I use a router (for a single computer) ?

If software is OK. which one is recommended from above or any other than
those, preferable free.

Note: I am happy with AVG-free version.

TIA
Click to expand...

A hardware firewall is the best option. It's on all the time, whereas
with a software firewall there may be a delay of a few seconds between
Windows starting up and the firewall starting, which could present a
window of opportunity for an attacker. Plus, a software firewall can be
disabled by other software, and it consumes memory and other resources.
 
Peter said:
I am changing from dial-up connection to high-speed (DSL) access.

Currently using AVG - free v:7.0 with Thunderbird and Win2K.
I was told that with DSL connection I should use a firewall either
hardware (router) or software. The latter I am aware of Zone-Alarm and
Kerio, i believe neither is free.
Click to expand...

from the kerio website http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
"Limited free edition

Kerio Personal Firewall is FREE for home and personal use. For corporate
use please see the pricing and licensing policies section.
For home users, Kerio Personal Firewall 4 is available in two flavors -
the full edition and the limited free edition."

the free edition should be good enough
Would appreciate any comment of the necessity of firewall, if so is
software OK. or should I use a router (for a single computer) ?
Click to expand...

its absolutly necessery for anyone connected to the internet. if its not
to protect yourself from intrusion it is good to stop your pc from
anoying others on the internet. windows has this anoying habbit of
continuously trying to connect to other pc's on the network.
 
I am changing from dial-up connection to high-speed (DSL) access.

Currently using AVG - free v:7.0 with Thunderbird and Win2K.
I was told that with DSL connection I should use a firewall either
hardware (router) or software. The latter I am aware of Zone-Alarm and
Kerio, i believe neither is free.

Would appreciate any comment of the necessity of firewall, if so is
software OK. or should I use a router (for a single computer) ?

If software is OK. which one is recommended from above or any other than
those, preferable free.

Note: I am happy with AVG-free version.

TIA
Click to expand...
Any computer connected to internet should have a firewall.
The best software firewall is the one that you can/will
learn to set up properly. There are
several good ones, ie Zone Alarm, Kerio, and Sygate.
I run Sygate and recommend it. It has done an excellent
job for me for 4-yrs without any problems. Try the free
version, you might like it.
Unofficial Help:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/i/k/ikpe/SygateBasics.html

Sygate Forums:
http://forums.sygate.com/vb/

Users Guide and Quick Start Guide:
http://smb.sygate.com/support/documents/pspf/default.htm

Compare SPF Pro and SPF Free (See what's inside each one)
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf/comparison_spf.htm

d/l
http://soho.sygate.com/free/default.php
Casey
 
Peter Kerekes said:
I am changing from dial-up connection to high-speed (DSL) access.

Currently using AVG - free v:7.0 with Thunderbird and Win2K.
I was told that with DSL connection I should use a firewall either
hardware (router) or software. The latter I am aware of Zone-Alarm and
Kerio, i believe neither is free.

Would appreciate any comment of the necessity of firewall, if so is
software OK. or should I use a router (for a single computer) ?

If software is OK. which one is recommended from above or any other than
those, preferable free.

Note: I am happy with AVG-free version.

TIA
Click to expand...

You need both a hardware firewall (a NAT router) and a software firewall.
Everyone has their own personal opinions of both.
I like Linksys for a router.
I like Sygate for a firewall.
I like Avast! for antivirus.
 
Colon said:
You need both a hardware firewall (a NAT router) and a software firewall.
Everyone has their own personal opinions of both.
I like Linksys for a router.
I like Sygate for a firewall.
I like Avast! for antivirus.
Click to expand...

Hmm. I'm about to expire my ZA Pro subscription and wanted to give
Sygate a try. it seems to be impossible to download. All I get is loops
going back to a worthless Simtel page. I'll try other locations....
 
I am changing from dial-up connection to high-speed (DSL) access.

Currently using AVG - free v:7.0 with Thunderbird and Win2K.
I was told that with DSL connection I should use a firewall either
hardware (router) or software. The latter I am aware of Zone-Alarm and
Kerio, i believe neither is free.

Would appreciate any comment of the necessity of firewall, if so is
software OK. or should I use a router (for a single computer) ?

If software is OK. which one is recommended from above or any other than
those, preferable free.

Note: I am happy with AVG-free version.

TIA
Click to expand...

Thank you all for your replies. it is unanimous that I should use both a
hardware (router) and a software firewall. On the later there are 3
suggestions: ZoneAlarm, Kerio and Sygate. I will install immediately one
of the softwares, probably start with Sygate and than try the others. I
will get my modem only next week, next week I will look around for a
router.

Thank you all for the help and suggestions.
 
Thank you all for your replies. it is unanimous that I should use both a
hardware (router) and a software firewall.
Click to expand...

It is only unanimous because your question has attracted the
attentions of the overly paranoid.

If your computer is on a private network (ie. behind the router you
mention) then your software firewall is pretty much redundant though
some outgoing notification might be of limited use if you are a
clueless clicker.


Jim.
 
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