Free Firewall programs?

tim wrote in post #7239562
I just have a NAT inside my router, I don't see any need for a firewall, hardware or software. Maybe a n00b would need one, but not an experienced user.

Same for me. Have NAT only setup for over 7-8 years. Apart from NAT, I have Avast anti Virus and SuperSpyware.

Rgds

Moppie wrote in post #7240488
It doesn't block the port, it monitors it and blocks software from access to it.

As an extreme example imagine a key logger got into your system (say from a friends USB stick) and got past your anti virus software (it happens).
It then logged lots of data and tries to comunicate it back to another computer so it can be used against you.
Only the firewall detects an unfamilar process trying to use Port 80 (connect to the net) and it warns you about it, so you can deny it access.

Interesting. I only know hardware type firewalls, not software ones that knows where packets from from.

If there was a keylogger on my PC it'd be annoying, but wouldn't help them much. Internet banking has two factor authentication. Not much else they can do other than monitor me, and i'm not that interesting

tim wrote in post #7240641
Interesting. I only know hardware type firewalls, not software ones that knows where packets from from.

If there was a keylogger on my PC it'd be annoying, but wouldn't help them much. Internet banking has two factor authentication. Not much else they can do other than monitor me, and i'm not that interesting

And use your computer as a zombie and be part of a global spamming/hacking problem

MaxxuM wrote in post #7241631
And use your computer as a zombie and be part of a global spamming/hacking problem

A fully patched OS, behind a NAT, with antivirus/anti-something-else software, monitored by someone who knows what they're doing? Unlikely.

tim wrote in post #7241766
A fully patched OS, behind a NAT, with antivirus/anti-something-else software, monitored by someone who knows what they're doing? Unlikely.

All of which could be circumvented within minutes by the right person - thinking otherwise would be foolish. There are only two things preventing it from happening to you, only two; incentive and anonymity. You don't have anything they would want and you're just another faceless internet user. And there is the key, the number one rule of safe browsing, don't get 'their' attention.

Moppie wrote in post #7238842
Im am looking for a good, quality free firewall program.

I have been running ZoneAlarm, which has worked very well until the latest version, which when combined with Firefox 3 and Vista locks up a couple of processes, preventing Firefox, or any other browser from accessing the net.

I did a bit of reading last night and it appears the problem is either with Vista or ZoneAlarm and niether of them want to take responsiblity and fix it.

So, since it is easier to change my firewall software than the OS I am looking for alternatives?

I actually experienced something very similar to this with ZoneAlarm and WinXP x86.

I moved over to Comodo since installing Vista x64, ZoneAlarm doesn't support it and have found it to be very reliable so far. It hasn't conflicted with any 64 bit applications that I'm running. Also doesn't seem to be a resource hog or slow down the boot up.

Tsmith wrote in post #7242792
I actually experienced something very similar to this with ZoneAlarm and WinXP x86.

I moved over to Comodo since installing Vista x64, ZoneAlarm doesn't support it and have found it to be very reliable so far. It hasn't conflicted with any 64 bit applications that I'm running. Also doesn't seem to be a resource hog or slow down the boot up.

Cheers, that is exactly the sort of advice I was looking for

I had always used Zonealarm free version for as long as I can remember, but found the new version not to my liking.
I opted for NOD32 - ESET Smart security. Gotta pay for it though, but had no problems with it.
Nice software and unobtrusive.

tim wrote in post #7241766
A fully patched OS, behind a NAT, with antivirus/anti-something-else software, monitored by someone who knows what they're doing? Unlikely.

As someone once said, "the only secure computer is the one that is off, in a locked safe, with no access..and even then its not entirely safe"

If you have something they want...they will get in if its on the net..every software and even some hardware have holes in them...those guys make a living out of finding them and using them...do you make a living out of knowing where the holes are in what you are using... probably not, you have other things in life that take up your time...mainly being on here and taking photos..

Sure people could get into my computer if they tried, but why would they bother? I'm just protecting against casual intrusion. I have backups, and nothing on the PC would really matter if people get into it.