Free firewall, what to choose?

Discussion in 'polls' started by ako, Oct 22, 2009.

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Free firewall, what to choose?

  1. Comodo

    36 vote(s)
    19.8%
  2. Outpost

    23 vote(s)
    12.6%
  3. PCTools

    11 vote(s)
    6.0%
  4. Zonealarm

    6 vote(s)
    3.3%
  5. Online armor

    42 vote(s)
    23.1%
  6. Kerio

    6 vote(s)
    3.3%
  7. Windows firewall

    50 vote(s)
    27.5%
  8. Privatefirewall

    3 vote(s)
    1.6%
  9. Jetico

    1 vote(s)
    0.5%
  10. Webroot

    1 vote(s)
    0.5%
  11. NetVeda Safety.Net

    1 vote(s)
    0.5%
  12. Ashampoo

    1 vote(s)
    0.5%
  13. Filseclab

    1 vote(s)
    0.5%
  1. ako

    ako Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2006
    Posts:
    667
    Free firewall, what to choose?
     
  2. SafetyFirst

    SafetyFirst Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2007
    Posts:
    462
    Online Armor - good free firewall + good free HIPS
     
  3. noone_particular

    noone_particular Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Posts:
    3,798
    Pick the firewall that matches these criteria:
    1. Pick one that is compatible with your OS. Some old ones won't work on Vista or Win7. Some new ones won't work on 2K or 9X.
    2. Pick the firewall that matches your skill. A pure rule based firewall won't help someone with no knowlegde of internet protocol or the IP system.
    3. Choose a firewall to fill the role you have for it. Do you want just an internet firewall or a whole package. Many security apps have kernel level components. They can do strange things when there's more than one involved. Avoid duplicating coverage. That's where conflicts come from.
    Don't worry about test results, especially those d@mned leaktests. Their results are very dependent on the configuration of your security apps and are designed to favor suites or combined packages. How well any individual security apps fares against them doesn't matter. What counts is how well your whole package works as a unit. If you must test, test the whole system, and don't assume a failed test is a weak application. Most of the time, a failed test means that further configuration is needed.

    Make a backup of your system before trying out firewalls. This way you always start with a clean system with no unremoved leftovers interfering with the next trial.

    As for a firewall preference, I like Kerio 2 supplemented with SSM, but I'm partial to rule based apps and separate components. Not a setup for a novice or casual user. Don't make your decision based on poll results or others preferences. More than anything else, your choice must fit you.
     
  4. Stem

    Stem Firewall Expert

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2005
    Posts:
    4,948
    Location:
    UK
    As WIPFW is not listed, I have chosen Windows inbuilt firewall.


    - Stem
     
  5. wat0114

    wat0114 Guest

    Windows Vista fw.
     
  6. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2004
    Posts:
    7,076
    Windows!
     
  7. YeOldeStonecat

    YeOldeStonecat Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2005
    Posts:
    2,345
    Location:
    Along the Shorelines somewhere in New England
    Missing quite a few open source *nix hardware firewalls in the options...Endian, IPCop-Copfilter, Untangle, PFSense, etc.
     
  8. the Tester

    the Tester Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2002
    Posts:
    2,854
    Location:
    The Gateway to the Blue Hills,WI.
    I like Private Firewall.
    But there are some very good choices on the list.
    Everyone has their favorite.;)
     
  9. act8192

    act8192 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2006
    Posts:
    1,789
    No option for 'other'?

    I know it's a heresy on this forum to suggest Sunbelt's version of the Kerio 2.1.5 firewall, but it's wonderful, even in the free version (plus SSM), once configured in a way similar to Kerio plus being able to use IP groups, the simple interface, fast user switching, good logs.

    Outpost free is wonderful too, though the logs in the free version are lacking allowed connections, and sifting through the applications isn't as simple as in the Kerio-style firewall.
     
  10. SammyJack

    SammyJack Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    Posts:
    129
  11. SammyJack

    SammyJack Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    Posts:
    129
    I wonder is this is the Windows firewall in Vista/7,with outbound protection enabled,or the simple Xp inbound firewall.
     
  12. mercurie

    mercurie A Friendly Creature

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2003
    Posts:
    2,448
    Location:
    Sky over the Wilders Forest
    From Vista on I would use the Windows one as a free one.
     
  13. progress

    progress Guest

    I second that :)
     
  14. nomarjr3

    nomarjr3 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2007
    Posts:
    502
    ZoneAlarm Free :thumb:


    The "original" and the best (for me atleast :D )
     
  15. hayc59

    hayc59 Updates Team

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Posts:
    2,841
    Location:
    KEEP USA GREAT
    Outpost Free and then if that does not tickle your
    fancy....Online Armor Free :thumb:
     
  16. icr

    icr Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2008
    Posts:
    1,589
    Location:
    UK
    My vote for Online Armor.
    Outpost and Comodo are also very good.
     
  17. blacknight

    blacknight Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2007
    Posts:
    3,344
    Location:
    Europe, UE citizen
    Comodo, but Online Armor as second one.
     
  18. Ibrad

    Ibrad Registered Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2009
    Posts:
    1,972
    PC Tools Firewall Plus or Windows :D
     
  19. Ed_H

    Ed_H Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2004
    Posts:
    662
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Online Armor is excellent and includes a very good (and quiet) HIPS.

    If you are running Vista, the Windows firewall should be fine.
     
  20. nikanthpromod

    nikanthpromod Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2009
    Posts:
    1,369
    Location:
    India
    windows firewall - simple , no disturbance:)
    Outpost firewall free( if u want outbound protection)
     
  21. hello2007

    hello2007 Guest

    windows firewall are you serious? it doesnt even have out protection only in protection
     
  22. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2004
    Posts:
    7,076
    Yes it does.
     
  23. korben

    korben Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2009
    Posts:
    917
    Never been able to install Outpost Free on Vista Sp1
    On win 7 - cannot be installed either.
    Windows FW? You gotta be kidding me.
     
  24. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2004
    Posts:
    7,076
    Ingenious input there batman.
     
  25. korben

    korben Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2009
    Posts:
    917
    unless you are a moderator - leave it to them, robin
     
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