i have been using windows firewall, because it seems so appropiate and i havent had nay issues with it, but i was wonderin if i should use zone alarm instead? i've kept defender because it seems like using a windows product would be aloot safer than getting a free zone alarm or something off the internet, but is this wrong? what should i use?
my current setup is…
windows defender
SUPERantispyware
malwarebytes
AVG 8.5 paid version
spybot search and destroy
thanks!
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8 responses so far ↓
1 Adrian // Apr 16, 2009
Get Zonealarm or Comodo, they are both better than the windows firewall, it is junk compared to the other two…
2 Yup Yup // Apr 16, 2009
If AVG doesn't come with a firewall then I recommend COMODO Firewall Pro (it's actually free but should be used by somewhat of an advanced user) or Ashampoo Firewall (which is good for the not so advanced user)
COMODO will frequently pop up since it is VERY secure about every connection that goes through your computer. This may or may not be a bad thing but when installing programs it might annoy you about accepting connections. Ashampoo Firewall is good for beginners and will not pop up as much but that means that it is also not as secure as COMODO. It is still a good firewall though.
DO NOT get Zonealarm. They are no longer the best in the business.
3 $$$ // Apr 16, 2009
I have been using zone alarm firewall and antivirus for 3 years now and before that i was using norton, i like zone alarm, there are no problems with it, i haven't gotten a virus in the past 3 years, so i reccomend zone alarm, i think they have a free version of the firewall too but i pay for mine. and if you do decide to get zone alarm, you don't have to uinstall windows firewall, just install zone alarm and you're good to go.
4 michael s // Apr 16, 2009
From what i see above your computer has alot of protection…If i were you i would leave it alone since your having no problems…always adding something could create a problem…there is an old saying "dont fix it - unless it is broken"…….your fully protected……………………………….Mike
5 No 666 // Apr 16, 2009
Back to you again.All you have to do with the Windows firewall is disable it.You don't have to uninstall it and besides I would advise against it;just disable it in your Security Center and then install ZoneAlarm.Windows defender is anti-spyware and is highly recommended so keep it.If you're going to install ZoneAlarm,this is what I'd do:
download the program.before you begin the installation process then disable the Windows firewall and then continue with the installation.That way you won't have two firewalls fighting against each other.
6 Chris N // Apr 16, 2009
You cant uninstall Windows firewall, but you can disable it.
If you are using vista, this is a two-way firewall that can be configured to block all without a rule allowing traffic. I recently configured it this way, and passed all the leak tests and malware tests.
You can also download free sphinx firewall control to configure it for you (will issue prompts for apps access)
see post #28 [attached file]
for further info on how to configure the 2-way Vista firewall see:
post #34
7 Ryan // Apr 16, 2009
Too much. You have far to many softwares, you can get rid of two, i suggest Windows Defender and SuperAntiSpyware. ZoneAlarm is better than Windows Firewall but you have to do a lot more configuring to allow the programs you want to run which is a pain in the butt. But yes you can, you will be more safer but Windows Firewall does a perfect job so there is no need to. You don't need all those softwares, you are perfectly fine with Avg as it is the paid version and it does all the things the other softwares are doing so you don't need the other softwares at all. As you are using Avg the paid version (doesn't that have a Firewall), i suppose it would be best to use ZoneAlarm but my opinion is, you can stick with the Windows Firewall, you'll be fine. The Windows Firewall is part of Windows so you cant Un-install it but you can disable it if you were to use ZoneAlarm etc.
8 Willy // Apr 16, 2009
No point, ZA free isn't much better Both are so poor that neither is tested at Matousec. If you want to be more secure:
buy a better AV, AVG is really AVeraGe.
use a better firewall, see Matousec firewall (not AV) tests. OnlineArmor is very secure and less hassle than Comodo.
ditch Windows Defender and Spybot - if you use a good AV it will protect you against most malware, SAS will pick up anything that might get past it. Spybot is fine if you're using Windows 98, otherwise ditch it. Windows Defender is on a par with AVG: mediocre.
http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php
http://www.tallemu.com/free-firewall-protection-software.html
http://www.virusbtn.com/news/2008/09_02
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