ESET Security & Vista Firewall

[BigCat400]

I am using ESET security now and noticed it did not disable vista's firewall. What's the recommended setup? Should I disable vista's firewall completely? Is there something in vista's firewall that eset's can't do? Should I leave it on?

[nagnamis29]

yes there are, ESET blocks applications automatically, while vista is not, i prefer you to choose ur vista firewall, beacuse there have many problems in ESET firewall that eset can't resolve as of for not, i am having difficulty in using eset firewall.

Originally Posted by BigCat400

I am using ESET security now and noticed it did not disable vista's firewall. What's the recommended setup? Should I disable vista's firewall completely? Is there something in vista's firewall that eset's can't do? Should I leave it on?

It is true ESS doesn't fully disable Vista's built-in firewall but as far as I know it makes some changes to its rules .
I have my WF disabled when ESS is ON (just in case to prevent conflicts).
But I haven't noticed any problems if both are ON the way ESET leaves Windows Firewall.

[MasterTB]

Originally Posted by HiTech_boy

It is true ESS doesn't fully disable Vista's built-in firewall but as far as I know it makes some changes to its rules .

I have to disagree, acording to my Security Center, ESS has disabled the Windows Vista Firewall and not just made changes, it is all the way OFF. (check the pic.)

it disabled my windows firewall on install.

Originally Posted by MasterTB

acording to my Security Center, ESS has disabled the Windows Vista Firewall and not just made changes,

Very strange . Mine wasn't disabled . Windows Security Center reported both ON . Windows Firewall itself reported that it is active but with settings changed (something like that) . I asked my local support and they confirmed . I can only say it is strange .

Thanks for telling me . Now I will at least know it is not happening everywhere.

i think it's a vista problem, not an eset one, for example comodo never disabled my firewall, yet it is meant to, it disabled my brothers, but not mine, maybe one of vista's (many) little quirks?

[loyukfai]

So... Officially and normally, ESET SS suite will *not* disable Vista's own firewall...?

Originally Posted by loyukfai

So... Officially and normally, ESET SS suite will *not* disable Vista's own firewall...?

It should disable it (as you can see from some replies) but under some curcumstances it might not fully disable it . I have asked the Support for further investigation . As I have written:

But I haven't noticed any problems if both are ON the way ESET leaves Windows Firewall

I didn't notice any problems with both ON . I must note that Security Center reported that Vista's firewall settings have been changed or something like that

[pip22]

Since every PC is different (different drivers & software) it's not unusual for ESS to behave differently as regards the built-in firewall during setup. Since the built-in one does not rely on third-party drivers & is only a "one way" firewall, it's also unlikely to cause any conflicts if left enabled, but doing so is pointless since it's wasting resources uneccesarily.

So if ESS doesn't disable it, do it manually. Members who say "it doesn't matter" do have a point, but it is a waste of resources all the same.

[loyukfai]

I have one question... ESS's firewall seems to distinguish networks (e.g. public, private...) based on subnet and netmask only. (?)

Now, if a public network uses the same subnet (say 192.168.1.x) and netmask as my home network's. Will ESS *think* the PC is connected to a private network?

Or is ESS using information (e.g. SSID for WLAN; MAC for LAN...) as well?

[loyukfai]

Hi anybody...?

Since it was some time , you could write ESET Support an email or give them a call
www.eset.com/support

[loyukfai]

Did it on Sunday. Still waiting for a reply through.

[loyukfai]

Concidence... Just received a reply.

And yes, "The ESET Smart Security Personal Firewall only looks at subnet and netmask for distinguishing networks."

Hopefully they'll improve it soon, because it would be bothersome in some cases and there should be other information which can be used in distinguishing networks as well.