Need a Firewall

I have Anti Virus Program, I have a Adware Program, now I need a Firewall Program. Anyone have a suggestion for a good Firewall Program that does not cost an "Arm & a Leg"?

And what is this thing about computer idenity and how does that effect me. Been getting Virus Infestation too much lately, this is th 5th time since December 2004, I had to Erase and Reinstall my Computer Hard Drive.

~Parnell, one of the BC (Before Computers) Generation

[fcch]

Steven,

I'm not sure what kind of systm you use, but there is a "firewall" in windows XP
Not sure if it REALLY works as I run a few on a test at the house. Norton I*net security ALWAYS traps stuff BEFORE the Microsoft product does. [url=http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/features.html:fe9d1]http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/features.html[/url:fe9d1]

IMHO, the easiest and most powerful tool so far is the Router.



I connect high speed from home, so I simply installed a DSL router between the ISP and my computers.

This way, 99% of problems will try to "hack" the router and not a computer.

Routers go for near 41.95 $usd
like a D-Link DI-604 Cable/DSL Router w/ 4-Port Switch

The firewall is built in.

I recently changed ISP's and before I could re-wire the house, I had over 100 hits from IP's trying to get into the computer that was at the time, connected directly to the DSL modem.

Since this morning, not a single hit inside the firewall.

There some discussions going on right now on this subject: [url=http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=62841:fe9d1]http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=62841[/url:fe9d1]
And a nice article is: [url=http://www.ezlan.net/firewall.html:fe9d1]http://www.ezlan.net/firewall.html[/url:fe9d1]

Lastly, you can get routers real cheap. .. Even wireless. If you go wireless (handy if you bring home a laptop), DON'T use the Default setup. Your neighbours might just like having free I*net service.

Also, I don't run a LAN off my router. This way, even if you get into the router, you CAN'T get out to the 4 computers attached to it. (well, you can, but that's a bit beyond most "storeBought" hacks.
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Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:fe9d1]http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/[/url:fe9d1]


[This message has been edited by fcch (edited 15 May 2005).]

[Barfly]

There are two free firewall programs that work quite well. Check out Sygate and Zone Alarm.

I've used both at one time or another and liked Sygate best. I now use one tha my internet provide supplies.

The suggestion on using a router is a good one. It saves a lot of hits that would come through to the computer. When mine isn't in line I see a lot of scans occurring. The discussions in GRC Discusssions Online make interesting reading.

Good luck.

Jim

[fcch]

Jim,

Good stuff at GRC, ... Thanx


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Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:9a75f]http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/[/url:9a75f]

[Ray]

Try this [url=http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=firewall&tg=dl-2001:efb1d]http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=firewall&tg=dl-2001[/url:efb1d]

[ducksterman]

Columnists seem to like Zone Alarm for firewall and AVG for antivirus.....both free....so far have worked for me ...knock on wood.

The firewall that comes with windows is weak in that it doesn't block outgoing stuff.

Also Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy are recommended free antispyware programs.

[DBenner]

Hi there,

Just as Christopher diagramed, putting a router in the middle between the DSL modem and any computers (wired or wireless) is definitely the way to go. I just got high-speed internet and put in a Linksys WT54G router. The thing is lightening fast (almost faster than working in the office), setup is easy and both wired and wireless. Make sure though that you lock it down so the neighbors don't have "free" internet, compliments of you. I would suggest that you lock it down by MAC address and WEP especially if you are going wireless. I am not promoting one computer vendor over another but they are $56.99 at Tigerdirect.com... [url=http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=628108&CatId=35:d41e8]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=628108&Ca tId=35[/url:d41e8]

Dwight

[This message has been edited by DBenner (edited 15 May 2005).]

[ducksterman]

So as not to mislead....I have a router too but actually had no trouble before I installed it....did so to wireless network the other computer.

[fcch]

Duck,

Depends on your ISP. Some are more prone to attract "badguys"

In Canada, there are only about 3 MAJOR carriers, (Bell, Rogers, Telus and Videotron).

That makes it "more" easy to script out "bots" to try names to "ping".


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Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:75ca2]http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/[/url:75ca2]

[countrygent36]

Not trying to be a smart a.., but you need to stay away from the junk mail. And misc. zip files.

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If flyfishing were a sin, I'de be the devil's right hand man.