Which software firewall do you recommend?

Hi All,

I have tried various software firewall but all so far have let me down one way or another.

I have installed a hardware firewall for my first line of defence, but I also like to control things at a pc level as well, such as out-going data, Privacy, Spam-control/Ad-Blocking.

I currently use NOD32, TDS-3, SpywareBlaster, etc. I have used in the past Tiny Personal Firewall (got too complex in ver4), NIS (crashed far too often on boot and caused more headaches than it solved) and finally ZAPro (the true vector service keeps crashin PC with event 5007 errors) ... so here I am tapping into the font of knowledge you guys hold.

I am after a package that is cheap, has program control (configurable with rules), privacy settings & Ad/Spam Control.

TIA

Wink

 

wink,

It sounds like you might be looking for something like Outpost. I have used it before and it is a great firewall. see more about it at their homepage http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/.

I am sure others will jump in here also....

HTH...

Regards,
Kent

 

How did they let you down?

 

Outpost is good; Sygate either free or pay is a good bet at http://www.sygate.com

A very good firewall is LooknStop, http://www.looknstop.com

There are a lot of firewalls out there, but any of these three should do you well.

 

I think you should give a try to outpost so.

 

I looked at the outpost web site just now, how is the free version instead of the pay version?

 

There is a free version of Outpost, but all of Agnitums efforts are being concentrated on the pay version and is a much superior firewall. For some, the free version works well, but to me, a firewall is as important as an AV and both should be paid for if at all possible. This is for the simple reason that paid versions of software are almost always backed by more resources.
If you cannot come up with the $$, Sygate free is good if you do not use a proxy type program and Kerio has a good free firewall I believe.

 

Outpost is a great firewall, but the free version is a nogo when you're an XP user or are on a local network. And there are a few leaktests it does not withstand, so it's capabilities are somewhat limited these days.
The pro version is much improved, it's a new program. I don't see that it can be beat right now.
Get the 30 days version to try it out.

 

Please be aware that the 1.0xx version of Outpost has BSOD issues on some machines that Agnitum has themselves confirmed.

These have to my knowledge never been fixed.

I should also remind prospective buyers, that Agnitum's patch policy is somewhat peculiar.

I waited more than a year for proper updates to 1.0xx series, which I paid for.

Version 2.0 did come as a free upgrade and was much improved.

However, even it had serious issues, which Agnitum only fixed in v 2.1. Upgrade to 2.1 was free only to limited customers.

As such, I cannot recommend Agnitum's free offering as they still have serious bugs.

As for the for-pay-firewall, I haven't tested the v.2.1 so I can't comment on it, but in my humble opinion, Agnitum's bug fixing efforts remain quite slow.

I'm not saying it's a bad firewall, I'm not just personally very satisfied with Agnitum the company.

best regards,
Halcyon

PS I'm using Kerio 2.1x free even though I have paid licenses for Outpost and ZA... that's my choice and it seems to work pretty well.

 

I am at the moment trying myself to decide whether to run with Sygate free vers 5.o (not 5.5 as it is too heavy on resources), Outpost 2.1, or LooknStop.
All have been installed, tried and unistalled a couple of times each.

LooknStop is easily the lightest and best if like me you do on-line gaming, however I find it complex and bewildering (and I do try to learn and understand it).
Oupost 2.1 I just could not get configured properly to allow me to on-line game properly, and it also gave some dodgy scan results from Sygate and Shields Up.
Sygate free vers 5.0 is the heaviest on resources, but is the easist to set up and check the logs of whats going on if you want to. It also seems very secure compared to my test results form various scans, more secure than Outpost anyway.

Anyway that is my thoughts, but it still leaves me in a quandry. To be honest "if" and its a big "if" I can get to grips with LooknStop, and fully understand what is going on and all the jargon then that I would say is the better, being lighter and less of a drain on the pc, however "if" I cant get to grips with it, then I may well go with Sygate, as its free, I know it works and doesnt give me any hassle.

 

I am quite keen to read how the software firewalls Wink tested let him down?

 

Another vote for Outpost Pro here!

 

Would you try to use x-Wall (http://sphinx-soft.com/firewall)

 

I found there are a couple of simple rules necessary to get Outpost to pass all Sygate Online tests. Shields Up is not so challenging to pass either. I'm stealthed. Can't comment on online gaming.

Regards
Optigrab

 

I failed to also say that the first thing Outpost needed was a rectification of a logging error. Needless to say, for me a program should instal cleanly and without any further hassle which Outpost failed to do (and judging by the Outpost forums a problem that appears known about..but not sorted at source)

 

I have a Netgear RP614 firewall router & run Norton AV w/LiveUpdate subscription. The AV needs upgraded to 2004 to take care of adware & hijack threats. I'm trying to decide whether to get Norton Internet Security instead since it includes AV & AT. Does it operate like all the firewall software recommended here?

I see only other firewall SW here, but am concerned about compatibility. Don't want to get my pc into a p___ing match between Norton SW and some other SW.

What would you recommend I do?

 

Norton Internet Security = NAV + NPF (Norton Personal Firewall) - no specific AT other than what NAV covers.

NIS should be compatible with SW (as would other firewalls/AV's).

If you want to stay with Symantec software, you might want to take a look at NIS. They have trialware available if you wanted to give it a go before buying. All the other software alternatives are also available to you.

Regards,

CrazyM

 

A very good firewall is pcInternet Patrol, http://www.pcInternetPatrol.com.
As advanced as it is, pcInternet PatrolTM requires no expertise on your part and does not slow down your work.

 

Norton FireWall 2004 is a nice one but it crashes somethimes like all the other firewalls so get ready to switch to hardware firewalls software firewalls getting weaker every day and they get bypassed very easily and the rules can be changed so u wont even notice it all firewalls on the marked are flawed so its time to take the next step get the (>hardware<) firewall

 

A hardware firewall is a good piece of security, i really advise it.
But unfortunaly this kind of product can't control applications accessing the Internet, this why both hardware + software firewalls are better IMO.

 

Hello, I've only had ZA free, Kerio and Outpost and back to ZA free.
I use older version 3.7.211. and it passes all the scans offered to it.
SecurityFocus 100%, PCFlank a pass and of course GRC nanoprobe
full stealth. I like it very much.