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
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.
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.
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.
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).]
For example, I recently changes ISP’s, I had a “clean” computer, … that is, the disk had been re-partitioned (good ole FDISK).
I only installed the minimum of programs, … just enough to boot and log on. The ISP’s account I went to was new, no mail, … didn’t exist on mailing lists, anything.
The ID of the computer was new too. Got dozens and dozens hits (intruder alerts) from Norton.
Sad as I can remember when the Internet was for science and culture
Ducksterman,
I have the others, but when I checked Zone Alarm’s site, it’s not free…just a 30 day trial. Is that the one? I plan to at least try it.
Mike
Ohio,
No, that’s not the free one…it’s there…probably have to go further…they try to get you to go to the $$$$…if you have trouble let me know …I’ll see if I can provide the link…
Two choices I know about. Zone ALarm, as mentioned above is free and effective. Microsoft XP has a built in Firewall as well. I don’t think it is as good as Zone Alarm, but that is heresay. I use both.
ZoneAlarm is a great free firewall that also offers a paid firewall with extra features (including antivirus, spam killers etc). The 30 day trial applies to the upgraded program ZoneAlarmPro, which is a great program too. When my current antivirus expires I will buy ZA pro for sure.
I’ll put in a second, third, whatever, for Zonealarm, and AVG antivirus. I also run Microsoft Antispyware Beta, which is a free download from the Microsoft site. Only problem I’ve had since connecting to DSL in Dec. was a Brwoser hijacker that was planted in a spyware program. That’s when I started running the MS Antispyware program and have no problems since.
These are the idle thoughts that posses a man’s mind when he’s not able to fish.
I’m with the others on Zone Alarm free firewall and the router but I’m going to ask which internet browser you’re using.
We all know IE has gaping holes but it was announced that the Mozilla Firefox browser has them also, if you’re running that one have you downloaded the patch’s to fix the leak??
That’s the only other thing I can see that would allow the hacks.