outbound firewall for dummies?

  • Thread starter Thread starter peter
  • Start date Start date
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peter

I want to recommend a firewall for a friend who just converted from dialup
to DSL. She is not very knowledgeable about computers, so I don't think
zonealarm would work for her. Even I have trouble deciding sometimes whether
to allow or not allow some .exe to act as a host...

Is there an outbound firewall that can decide for itself, using eithe AI,
whitelist lookup or other means to decide what outbound traffic is safe to
allow and what is not?

Otherwise, I'd have to recommend using windowsXP's firewall.
 
peter said:
I want to recommend a firewall for a friend who just converted from dialup
to DSL. She is not very knowledgeable about computers, so I don't think
zonealarm would work for her. Even I have trouble deciding sometimes
whether to allow or not allow some .exe to act as a host...

Is there an outbound firewall that can decide for itself, using eithe AI,
whitelist lookup or other means to decide what outbound traffic is safe to
allow and what is not?

Otherwise, I'd have to recommend using windowsXP's firewall.
Click to expand...

No. The whole point of the more complex firewalls is that they ask what is
allowed. Put your friend behind a router - even if there is only the one
machine - and have her use the Windows SP2 Firewall. Have her learn how to
practice "Safe Hex" and she'll be fine.

Safe Hex:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971 - So How Did I Get
Infected Anyway?
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2006/02/05/82584.aspx - MVP
Harry Waldron - The Family PC - How to stay safe on the Internet
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - Eric Howes on Rogue
Antispyware Programs

Malke
 
McAfee firewall is intelligent up to a point in that it will let the well
known instant messengers, Outlook and Outlook Express e-mail through..
however, the downside is that it is McAfee firewall.. go with Malke's
advice..
 
This is included with Windows Live OneCare
http://www.windowsonecare.com/


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

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:

| I want to recommend a firewall for a friend who just converted from dialup
| to DSL. She is not very knowledgeable about computers, so I don't think
| zonealarm would work for her. Even I have trouble deciding sometimes whether
| to allow or not allow some .exe to act as a host...
|
| Is there an outbound firewall that can decide for itself, using eithe AI,
| whitelist lookup or other means to decide what outbound traffic is safe to
| allow and what is not?
|
| Otherwise, I'd have to recommend using windowsXP's firewall.
 
I wish. But you can't take something as complicated as a firewall and
make it like that oven you see advertised on TV - "just set it and
forget it".

I've used Zone Alarm ever since version 1. It can make using a firewall
much easier, for three reasons:

1) The developers at Zone Labs have the ability to automatically program
safe settings for the programs you're likely to use, so there are far
fewer questions to answer.

2) Zone Alarm comes with a well-written user manual.

3) Zone Labs operates user forums where you can learn from others'
questions and ask your own.
 
I agree with Malke. Have her use the Windows Firewall. Even most advanced
users have trouble with a software firewall. Of course as a friend also
point her to the link below to make sure she is following basic security
best practices and remind her to not to browse the internet, use chat
programs, or open email logged on with an account that is also a local
administrator.

Steve

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxpsp2/Default.mspx
 
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