Recommend a firewall

kjonnnn wrote in post #11674162
AVG?

I used to run AVG but dumped it a couple years back for avast. Just read a review this evening about AV software which was not to kind to avg.

malam wrote in post #11674578
I just switched from Zone Alarm to ESET Smart Security 4. Was on sale at my local Best Buy.

Never heard of eset. I'll look into it.

Been looking at BitDefender more closely and saw something odd. On this page it lists these Software Requirements:

Among other stuff, why the heck would an AV app require Yahoo Messenger or Thunderbird?

Not require, works with. These are the minimum requirements for protection. It will scan files in these programs.

Picture North Carolina wrote in post #11666866
Just got a new system - Win7 w/ 64 Pro.

Since rocks were formed, I've been using ZoneAlarm. But before buying a new ver, I would like to know if there is anything better nowadays.

I am not only concerned about incoming, but also outbound phone homes.

(Free would be a nice plus )

Win 7 firewall is actually pretty good if you know what you are doing. You can also do the classic host file thing to avoid ET phoning homes.

Another alternative is to use Cisco firewall appliance (a bit overkill, but complete security that makes you sleep like baby; nothing beats a good night of sleep) if you don't trust Mr. Gates' firewall.

Canon10D wrote in post #11677273
You can also do the classic host file thing to avoid ET phoning homes.

Thought about it, but I use the MVPS hosts file (stops all banners, popups, and other irritating things) from here. Periodically (rarely) I have to use the virgin hosts file. Switching is done with an old DOS batch file which means there are two hosts files, one active and one not. So hosts files entries would have to be maintained on both which is a PITA.

Picture North Carolina wrote in post #11677650
Thought about it, but I use the MVPS hosts file (stops all banners, popups, and other irritating things) from here. Periodically (rarely) I have to use the virgin hosts file. Switching is done with an old DOS batch file which means there are two hosts files, one active and one not. So hosts files entries would have to be maintained on both which is a PITA.

If you use Firefox, you can install the Adblock Plus and NoScript extensions to block annoying ads, banners, etc.

Canon10D wrote in post #11696430
If you use Firefox, you can install the Adblock Plus and NoScript extensions to block annoying ads, banners, etc.

Thanks, appreciate the tip. Already got that covered (in the post right above yours.)

Thanks all for the help. On a Windows 7 pro OS, I eventually installed Comodo (free) and Avast (free) and both seem to be working perfectly.

i used ESET Smart Security 4 too, i got license for 3 computers and 2 year period on their website.