PC Tools Firewall

I will install PCtools firewall today.I use antivir premium.I do not use the webguard.But I use the mailguard,so if there is no intercept loopback traffic choice in this firewall,will using the mailguard be useless,or is there a way to do it properly?

 

Re: PC

Hello Zeena!

No, v3 was not doing this 'learning' stuff...

Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of it when I find more time.

Cheers,

 

Hi Nick


When I first installed PC Tools Firewall Plus....

I just remember having to Click... Allow, Allow, Allow, Allow, Allow .... And So On!
To - Allow - Numerous things on my computer.
This lasted for just a minute or two!

Quite expected for a Firewall I suppose

Also...
My AVG 8 Taskbar Icon Turned Grey + ! For A Second
Until I Clicked - Allow, Allow, Allow .... For different AVG 8 things!
Then it immediately turned back to Colour


When I first installed PC Tools Firewall Plus - This is how it went for me...

For the first minute or so... The Allow or Block pop ups were constant.

The rest of that first day ... I carried on getting quite a lot of Allow or Block pop ups.

The rest of that first week ... Approx 3 to 4 Allow or Block pop ups per day.

The rest of that first month ... Approx 1 or 2 Allow or Block pop ups per day.

Now...
Allow or Block pop ups ... Approx just once or twice a month.

Obviously!
If I install something new.
Or use something on my computer for the first time... Allow, Allow, allow

 

Hey Zeena

You must have a bunch of rules in there
PcTools firewall will ask (by default) for every remote IP you connect to.
There are predifined policies (rulesets) in PCTools which you need to use to minimize the popups...

Cheers,

 

Note that there is a "Smart Update" available now for PCT Firewall 4.0.0.35 (after the update the version number is the same).

 

Hi Everyone


Warning!

There seems to be major problems with PC Tools Firewall Plus v4.0.0.35

Look Here : http://www.pctools.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=30

What do you mean by...

Do we get updated to v4 automatically ... But our version number will still say v3 ?

I'm getting a bit worried

Why do these Internet Security Companies insist on putting out software that clearly isn't ready.

They all do it!
Symantec
AVG
PC Tools

They seem to be causing more problems than the Viruses lately

 

If you're running version 3 I don't know if version 4 is being offered through Smart Update (SU). Even if it is available via SU posts in the PC Tools forum suggest that it's better to uninstall v3 before installing v4. After installing v4 it will say Version 4.0.0.35 in the Help/About menu. There may be an update available after installing v4 which will not change the version number.

Whether or not this version is "ready" is debatable. I haven't had a problem with it. There is a feature called "Enable Enhanced Security Verification" which seems to be causing problems in some cases - it can be turned off. Hope this helps!

 

Hi Victek123

Thanks! ​

I've been having another look at the PC Tools forum.

It says you can install over the top of v3
However...
I Agree With You!
This seems to be what is causing a lot of the problems.

Yeah!
I remember reading about - Enable Enhanced Security Verification
What is it exactly?
Am I to presume this is New / not included in v3 ?
Again...
I Agree With You!
After reading a bit more on the PC Tools forum...
This seems to be another cause of a lot of problems.

It's good to know someone is using it - Problem Free!

Do you have Enable Enhanced Security Verification ON or OFF ?

Is Enable Enhanced Security Verification ON by Default ... Or does it have to be swithced ON ?
Do you think it would be OK to wait a while before getting v4 ?
Just until they've ironed out some of the problems

As I am really new to all this Firewall Stuff
Used Norton up until a few months ago ... No Pop Ups!
Can I ask you a couple of questions about PC Tools Firewall Plus v3 please?

I've got my PC Tools Firewall Plus set for Normal User.
Because I know I wouldn't be able to cope with Experienced User mode.

But today while having a look at the settings...
I noticed that a few options are NOT enabled - And I don't know if they should be or not

Enable Protection Against Code Injection
Should this be enabled?
If I enable it...
Will I get loads of Pop Ups or any other side affects?
I have an eleven year old son that uses the computer.
So having loads of Allow or Block pop ups is not an option for me

Enable Stealth Mode
What's this one for?
I somehow get the feeling - I'd be left with No Internet connection ... If I was to enable this

Enable Stateful Packet Inspection
Does it inspect the packet itself... Or do I have to do it?
I get the feeling - This one is way over my head


OR...
Am I just better off leaving everything set at it's default?

Sorry for being so thick
I have read the Online Help for PC Tools Firewall Plus.
But it doesn't explain things good enough for me to understand exactly what the different settings are for.

​

Thanks Again!​

 

You will get enhanced security (leak protection) but yes, at the cost of more popups.

It is a protection against SYN flood attacks against you. The chance of a typical home user (as you) being under such an attack is almost non-existent. That's the reason why it's off by default. You will not be left without connection if you enable it, but I personally find this option an unnecessary overhead...

It inspects the packet itself. In layman terms, it is a "smart" inspection of network packets. You can enable this, your firewall will use a bit more resources though. If your browsing experience is noticably affected, you can always disable this option later.

'Thick' is in the eye of the beholder
Asking questions reveals a desire for knowledge. Which is good.

 

If I was concerned about the stability of a new security app I would definitely wait, but v4 has improvements so I would recommend getting it eventually. Regarding the "Enhanced Security Verification" feature in v4 I'm not sure if it's On or Off by default, sorry.

Enabling protection against code injection will definitely cause more pop-ups.
Enabling Stateful Packet Inspection and Stealth mode will not cause more pop-ups. I have them On and cannot think of a good reason not to enable them. I say turn them On and observe the system - if you don't experience any issues you're good to go

 

Hi ... Seer & Victek123

Big Thank You! To both of you!

Your answers have been extremely helpful ​

 

Yes. This worked without a lag at boot. I was installing over version 3, and even though I obviously stopped it prior to upgrading, the lag was unbearable.

​

​

You're welcome Zeena ​

 

Hi Victek123 & seer


I don't know whether to go for it today... And install v4

How are you two getting on with it?

Is it still working OK?

I'm really nervous
Nothing every seems to go right for me

 

Hi Victek123 & seer


I never had got much patience

I've gone ahead and done it!
Installed v4


And of course ... As usual ... Got in a muddle!

Not sure if I've mixed up my Default Settings

I've started another thread... Save interrupting this one, any more than I already have done

Here : https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=214140


Thanks!

 

In fact PCTFW DOES block GRC's leaktest even though the test says otherwise. Just run a packet sniffer when testing and you will see that no contact is being made with grc.com.
It would indeed be strange if PCTFW could not even block this most basic of leaktests.

 

I had a look today at what was going on. It seems that the GRC test tries to connect to an address on port 80. If it connects then it says it has penetrated the firewall, does not check if it actually got any correct data back.

With the PC tools firewall, if it blocks on port 80, instead of just dropping the connection, it returns a nice web page telling you are blocked. Instead of page could not be found in a browser. The testing program goes I got data back hence you were penertrated.

 

pc tools firewall is a good freeware. but using it together with my antivirus avg 8.0 professional is not so good. sometimes my pc slows. so i uninstalled pc tool firewall and turn windows firewall on since i like and trust avg 8.0. so i need to choose between them.

 

Hi hex


I use PC Tools Firewall Plus - & - AVG 8 ... With No Problems or Slow Downs

What Version of PC Tools Firewall Plus were you using?

Are You Aware...
There have been some problems with the latest version of PC tools Firewall Plus : v4
All to do with the - Enhanced Security Verification

The problem at the moment with Enhanced Security Verification ....
High CPU usage .... My Core 2 Quad CPU would constantly spike at 100%
Over active Hard Drive .... My Normally silent Hard Drive started to sound like a hairdryer
Programs slower to open and close
And for some people.... Computer / Program - Freezes

So if you do decide to reinstall - PC tools Firewall Plus...
My advice would be...
Either ... Hold out for a week or two - Until they bring out the next build.
OR ... Install it - But turn Enhanced Security Verification - OFF

The current build / version is - 4.0.0.40
So wait until the next number up is released - OK


I've had to switch Enhanced Security Verification - OFF
This isn't too much of a problem ... As Enhanced Security Verification is New to v4 anyway.
v3 did Not have Enhanced Security Verification.

Enhanced Security Verification is kind of like an extra security feature ... To prevent Code Injection.
I'm not a firewall expert ... But I think Enhanced Security Verification is HIPS
V3 did have a Code Injection setting... But it wasn't turned on by default, like Enhanced Security Verification - is!

When they finally get it working right...
You can have Enhanced Security Verification set to Normal Mode or Quiet Mode.

Enhanced Security Verification - Normal Mode .... A lot of pop Ups!
Enhanced Security Verification - Quiet Mode .... Not as many pop Ups!
Enhanced Security Verification - OFF .... Hardly any Pop ups!

I'll be really pleased when they've fixed Enhanced Security Verification.
But For Now...
With Enhanced Security Verification turned OFF .... PC Tools Firewall Plus is working perfectly fine for me