NOD32 and firewall

I would like to say hello to everyone here. It was this forum that helped me finally ditch Norton AV and switch to NOD32, and I thank God I did when I read all the problems people are having with Norton on various sites around. Now to my question. I guess I am as security conscious as the average home computer user. On my home pc I have NOD32 installed and I use the WinXP built in firewall, that's it. Now I regularly visit the security forum at dslreports.com and there are people there running NAV's, trojan detectors, firewalls,and other security programs at the same time. I find this to be overkill. If you have a good firewall why do you need a trojan detector and vice versa? I mean if you are a terrorist or work for the FBI, ok but for the average person I think my setup is ok. I like to keep my computer "lean and mean", don't like allot of progs. running in the back-round, and WinXP firewall has passed every online scan that I have tryed, and off-course I trust NOD32 to catch viruses, trojans and worms. What is your opinion on this subject? If you do think I should install firewall which plays nice with NOD32? I don't like ZA, I do like blackice.Sorry for rambling on a little too much, my wife always says i talk too much.

 

Hi Achilles,

I think I found your heel j/k
Please have a look at this page: http://www.wilders.org/firewalls.htm for some general info on firewalls and what they can do for you. Plus you´ll find some examples of excellent firewalls.

Regards,

Pieter

 

You also might want to read this: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=4545

Regards,

Pieter

 

Hi Achille,

First, the ICF only filters IN and no OUT : for instance, it will not prevent installed malwares (spywares, keylogger, trojans, worms or virus) to access the W3.

NOD32 is a top AV product but its first aim are virus/worm ITW : as any other AV product (but KAV) it's not the best solution against Trojans.
I would suggest you a decent FW monitoring OUT + at least a startup monitor to control new apps trying installing themselves at windows start if you don't like to install a AT.
Rgds

 

Thanks for the info guys, I guess what you are telling me is, get a firewall! Thanks again.

 

That obvious, were we?

In case you have any further questions about firewalls, please have a look here: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php?board=23 and in case you have more questions you can post them there.

Regards,

Pieter

 

Hello, I would like to tell you what I did...

Like you, I used to use NAV. Actually, I used the NIS 2002 package. Without going into why and when I got rid of that, in April, I switched to NOD32.

Having tried alomost every Firewall, I decided to go with Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro. Why? Well, first of all, it's reasonably priced when you but it with Tauscan, which is a trojan detector. (Extra coverage). and also, I think you may be able to get a discount if you are switching from another firewall. It is VERY Configurable, yet it can be "out of the box" protection., and also it passed more stealth tests and other tests than even Norton Personal Firewall. You can get the free version, but I bought it so I could get the forum support with no glitches. Also, the active content controls are very good, and they will improved when Version 2 comes out.

I also run behind a Dlink router, for added firewall protection...

I did not like ZoneAlarm, free or pro version, and the only free one I liked was Kerio, but they do not include Active Control Blocking, etc...

Also, I found that Outpost, like NOD32, hardly made any impact on my computer memory, and boot up is almost immediate...

That's my take, I would recommend a hardware firewall, (cheap) and Outpost Pro, Tauscan, and also the free Ad-Aware...

 

Correction and link;

When you BUY Outpost and Tauscan together, you may get a discount..

Here is the link:

www.agnitum.com

 

> Nevertheless, since this is the NOD32 forum, let's keep on topic. Specific firewall related issues can be posted over on the Firewalls forum.

..... but NOD32/firewall-related issues are OK.

 

Hi,

no, a software firewall is the wrong way to secure your system.
A much better way ist to do the following:

- Close services (especially Port 139).
- Use... secure applications (Mozilla, Phoenix, Opera instead of Internet Explorer),
- ...Mozilla Mail, TheBat!, Pegasus Mail instead of Outlook (Express).
- Although you don't use Internet Explorer, update to IE 6.0 SP1!
- Pay attention to attachments which are arriving via eMail.
- Be careful with downloaded files!
- Pay attention to the following executable files:
-> hta, jse, js, shb, shs, vbe, vbs, wsc, wsh!

Personal (software) firewalls are (more or less) unimportant and delusive! Instead of this, use your head, and you won't get trojans.

Best regards,
Markus

 

Thanks for the info Straight Shooter,I have read good things on Outpost, I will check out your suggestion of getting their trojan detector, Tauscan, as a package deal. Markus I totally agree with you, the most important security measure you can take on the net is to use your head, well put. Paul is right we have gotten of topic a little, so I will close off this thread by thanking everyone who responded.

 

... to underline this concept we have a simple rule of thumb in our company: a smart user is the best antivirus.

ciao,
Paolo.