Looking for a lightweight and configurable firewall for win2k

Hello, great forum you have here.

I'm trying to find some good, free firewall software and I thought you guys would be the perfect crowd to ask. I'm looking for freeware with low overhead and advanced configuration options for windows 2000.

I tried Kerio 2.1.5, but it's a little quirky and I don't entirely trust it. For some unknown reason it's telling me the help file doesn't exist in the program path.. and indeed it does exist, so I can't figure that out.. especially since it lists the complete path in the error message. The other thing is the rules will occasionally save wrong. Maybe I'm being too critical, but it just feels a little hokey.

I'm also having issues with configuring some of the rules in Kerio. I wanted a setup akin to the XP firewall where all outbound is allowed, inbound is blocked and you can setup a few inbound ports to be handled by specific applications if you so desire. I tried a setup like this in Kerio but something isn't right, I'm getting UDP packets from 0.0.0.0 .

But it probably doesn't matter, because as I said, this software has dinosaur poo on it and I'm looking for suggestions for a replacement.

Thanks in advance.

 

Try this:

Zone Alarm Free Firewall

 

This software is unsupported in Windows 2000.

 

Outpost free supports Win2k:
http://free.agnitum.com/

 

A router would do, if it wasn't for the below condition:

If I was using W2K (and I would be using a router with it) the only software firewalls I would consider would be either Kerio 2.1.5 or Atguard 3.22.

But after the issues you have had with Kerio, I would recommend Zonealarm.

Depends on what verion. They have had versions that have worked as far back as Windows 95. I wouldn't expect much support for a free app. and an OS that old, though.

 

Speaking of old software.. Atguard I always run my computers behind routers, and that's easier to do than it used to be since people generally use routers without even knowing what the technology is. Why the suggestion to use Zonealarm, though?

I've looked at zonealarm in the past, and despite being able to use old versions, it struck me as clunky software designed for people who don't have the first idea about a firewall. I'd like to think I'm past that stage. I really want a Kerio style firewall that's to the point when it comes to what function it serves.

As for Win2k being old and unsupported, it's easy enough to make win32 apps designed for XP that are ultimately compatible with it, so that's probably not as big of a barrier as you think.

 

Sygate firewall?
ellison

 

Hi, I'm new on this forum, so please kindly forgive me common errors and mistakes (especially in English - this is not my native language.

I'm using W2K on one of my computers.
This is old, but very solid machine: MB Aopen w/i815 Chipset,
Pentium III 1 GHz, 512 MB RAM.

I can recomend you Outpost Firewall Free. It is light, configurable and
with good HIPS capability.

Some time ago, I was using Online Armor 2.0.0.190 and 3.1.0.26
Last one is BETA version, but this is last OA firewall working on W2K.
(Link available on OA support forum)
Basically, I'm big OA "fan", so you can ask me, why I decided to change
firewall to Outpost Firewall Free.
Reason is simple: OA 3.1.0.26 needs much longer time when starting W2K
and additionaly doesn't like Symantec WinFax Pro "sometimes".
Outpost Firewall Pro working absolutely flawlessy.

Some time ago, I was testing Private Firewall 7.0.20.37 because this
is very light and solid firewall on WXP and additionaly, I found, that
it is W2K compatible (according to their homepage).
Unfortunately, this is not true, at least in my case.
Any Microsoft update and/or Avira update resulting 100% CPU utilisation
and blocking operating system.
I consult this problem with Privacyware support, but without success.
They agree, "most probabely our firewall is not still compatible with W2K".

P.S. If you prefer firewals without HIPS cabability, there is few other
options.

Hope this helps you

Best regards
William