How often is the outpost pro update?

Thinking of buying the firewall but cannot afford another yearly subscription (I have NOD32 already). I wonder how often the update would be and what kind of update?

 

The updates aren't that often my licence runs out in sept and since I have been using it I can only remember 1 update(from 2>2.1)but renewal of licence is 1/2of normal purchase price.LooknStop is owned,with no addition charges for life,with all updates then free(according to info they have just sent me)if I was buying a new firewall now I think that is the one I'd go for,both on long term cost and performance basis
Steve

 

WWW, u could get the free verison of outpost. its also good.

 

I would not recommend using the Outpost FREE version. It has not been updated for more than two years now.
I was a big fan of Outpost Free, but after two years, it started to give me problems in Windows XP (blue screens, stop errors).

Now I use Sygate Personal Firewall (free), and am very happy with it. I gives me better protection, but is a little less configurable.
For regular home-users (like myself), I highly recommend Sygate.

 

I am using Sygate Pro at the moment but from my previous posts you will see I am considering a change as with each update for Sygate a few more conflicts are added (BTW you do not get Trojan signature updates with the free version)

I was looking at Outpost amongst others (the Pro version) but now reading this is Outpost not recommended as a firewall now? I remember the reviews about it when I wasn't using it were good but have things slowed up with its progress? Thanks in advance.

Sygate Free is good you just get less configurations and tools plus the lack of Trojan signatures. I have installed it for friends and even on initial install the ports were stealth blocked. It is up to the user to configure the server/client access for their applications as this is not automatic but is one thing I like about the firewall (manual configs)

 

Hello,

I am running OP Pro v2.1 on all the stations of my LAN behind a router/firewall : excellent on WinXP

Regards,

 

Great news Jack as I have a router and XP therefore Outpost Pro should not present any conflicts for me. Thanks for the input as I try to select a firewall for my new install in August

 

Outpost Pro is working well for me behind a router (though I'm on W2K).

BTW, unlike an AV, a firewall program like Outpost Pro doesn't stop working after your license expires. So if your setup is working just fine, you shouldn't really feel compelled to purchase a new license for updates.

 

The other aspect to consider is how quickly communications protocols are changing. Relatively ancient firewall programs work just fine these days and generally possess the same capabilities of newer offerings. Implementing those newer capabilities in these older applications may be beyond most of us - well it's beyond me - but my point is that the intrinsic functionality is present. That alone indicates the relative need to update. The differences reside in the details of how things are implemented (application vs. rules based; level of automation behind either strategy; reporting capabilities; interface to the user; integration of other security applications; and so on). There are a few things that more or less fall outside this general comment, but it's a reasonable guide.

As I see Outpost Pro's competitors go through multiple minor and major updates while my copy of Outpost sits at v 2.1, I'll admit a bit of firewall envy. That's usually lasts for a couple of days until the bugs reports start to flow in - as they will with any product, Outpost included. I take a pragmatic and maybe simplist view - for this type of application, frequent updates are not really needed and can be a liability.

I did notice this thread over at the Outpost support forums that states the renewal update currently does not have to be obtained before or immediately after the expiration of the current support period, sounds like the renewal grace period is open. Although that is the case, my own plan is to renew Outpost at the yearly point - the cost is very modest.

Blue

 

I actually prefer to pay a subscription for the license of any of my software and applications as I feel this does go someway to further the development of the program. When I have my new install I will be installing the Pro versions of my security software. I use Ad-aware plus now and feel the registration of this has been of great benefit to me rather than just having a scanner.

I am swaying towards Outpost even though I have a full year to run on my Sygate licenses but as stated - 'there may be a little envy when others add and update their firewalls but then we hear about the bugs.' I installed Sygate Pro just about 1 yr ago and everything worked fine without any glitches but as I have upgraded when advised a little conflict or bug is found. The last 2 builds do not like my AV at will not let me update my definitions without toggling the anti hijack application feature or (as I have done) created a rule to allow my AV to update this has also happened to a friend who runs Spyblocker - everything worked fine until the last build and now Sygate will not allow for SB updates!

I know we need upgrades from time to time but to have to go back to a previous version in order to avoid conflicts is a worry. I have not totally made my mind up but think I will run the trial on my laptop to see how the configurations compare. I know Sygate is a solid firewall and has served me very well but when the conflicts are added to it has made me stop and think of alternatives before my clean install.

The old firewall which Symantec now uses to build their technology on is still a favourite with others who used this and even though know for sure they will never receive an upgrade they have their rule set and are using the firewall without any bloat added by Symantec. I know a few people who use it and are solid with security.

 

To make my point clear: I would not recommend the FREE version of Outpost, because it gave me troubles. Also, there have not been updates for more than two years now.
I think the PRO version of Outpost is a good firewall though.

I chose Sygate mainly because of the good testresults in the dutch PC Magazine (may 2004). They tested 22 software firewalls, their conclusion was:
Best product: Sygate Pro 5.5.
[Edit > see complete list of results in my post below]

 

Smarty X

Did Dutch PC test Looknstop firewall? If they did how did they rate it? If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you list how other firewalls tested did?

Many thanks.

 

They did not test Look N Stop, because they only tested firewalls that work with Windows XP.... (And they say LookNStop doesn't.... )

But I will give you the endresults of the test. That are numbers from 1 to 100, an average total-score based on all the different parts of the test. (ease of use, all the features, price, etc. etc.)
The most important topic of the test was the ability to block a range of 1800 different trojan / hacker / spyware attacks. PCM says Sygate was the only firewall that blocked ALL of the attacks.
Kerio, Tiny, Agnitum, ZA, and some others didn't block five or more dangerous attacks. That's why they get a low score.

Everything below 50 is unsufficient. I highlighted the most wellknown products.

84.5 Sygate - PF Pro 5.5
79.5 Norman - PF 1.4
73.4 Farstone - Hackersmacker 2.0
67.8 McAfee - PF Plus
66.1 NT Kernel Resources - PF
65.2 Zero Knowledge - Freedom Firewall
64.3 Tiny - PF 5.0
64.0 Kaspersky - Anti Hacker 1.5
62.6 Kerio - PF 4.0
61.2 Norton - PF 2004
59.6 Sistech - The Green Bowl Firewall
57.8 Internet Security Alliance - PC Internet Patrol 2.2
55.3 Professional Omniquad - PF
51.6 ISS - Black ICE PC Protection 3.6
46.4 Agnitum - Outpost 2.0 Pro
43.1 Deerfield - Visnetic Firewall 2.1.2.
40.4 Zonelabs - Zone Alarm 4.5 Pro
37.1 Armor 2 Net - PF 3.12
23.2 Mindsoft - Firewall 4.05
20.4 Software Appliance - Firekeys
19.8 Surfsecret - PF
16.5 Secure Up - PF 2.0​

 

I guess it's a matter of who you want to believe. Another site reports Outpost 2.x.xxx as number one - with lookNstop in second, not far behind.

 

Thanks for the information though I don't know how much I'd trust it given that they somehow believe Looknstop doesn't work with Win. XP (it most certainly does) and the version of Outpost they tested hasn't been the current version for serveral months. About the only way they could believe that Looknstop doesn't work with XP is by noticing that when installing Looknstop, Windows warns that the drivers haven't been approved by MS for XP and asking if you wish to continue the installation. Of course, the Looknstop web site correctly states that the firewall does work with XP and says to ignore the warning, but perhaps the authors didn't see it.

 

You're completely right about that. I also think it's strange that Outpost gets a low rating, because I saw some very enthousiastic reviews of this firewall....
On the other hand, it looks like they did some extensive testing. As far as I can judge it .

I wonder what the experts say of this? Maybe there's another dutch member that has read this test??

 

I'm using Outpost (314) right now. It seems to be the most configurable FW out there (AFAIK-go ahead and correct me if i'm wrong) or at least, the easiest to configure rules for every app. If your rules are tight, how are these "nasties" going to get in? A closed/stealthed port is an unavailable port. hehe, besides my router does a good job.

 

I keep having new problems crop up with Outpost. Recently, it caused two freeze-ups while I was using Firefox. Currently using Sygate, so I hope the test is right.

As for how often Agnitum updates, well, I wish they would improve in this area.

 

I'm encountering a few bugs here and there as well (with my system's config)

I would not strictly blame Outpost for your "freeze ups" - it could be another app that is not compatible - I guess it's a matter of where you place your importance in finding apps that play well together.

What do you want updated? It's not an Antivirus app.

 

Well, it looks like it could be caused by KAV 4.5.

But Agnitum has a history of fixing bugs for a little while after release, and then quitting until the next major upgrade. Firewalls don't have to be updated daily or weekly, but I prefer more than Agnitum does.

 

I think all the firewall testing and reporting on which one is the best does more to confuse a user than anything. If I followed the reviews I would be changing my firewall every month and that would depend on which magazine I read or which online review I looked at.

There is a vast amount which depends on a user setup and what works for some may not work for others. I am running SPF Pro and it doesn't like my AV yet others who run it with the same AV do not have the same problem but do have it with another application

I know if I didn't have my router firewall I would have to seriously consider all aspects of a firewall and would most certainly feel the SPF Pro would be the one with all the additives which should secure my computer completely. Now that I have a router I basically need to control my outgoing applications and if this can be done with firewall without the need for numerous updates (plus bugs) then Outpost is looking good for doing this. I am fully stealthed running on my router alone but do need to keep track on what each application is sending out.

When SP2 is released next month only time will tell on how each firewall and AV will cope with this

 

Those considering Sygate should check first whether they are running any local proxy software on their system (this typically includes web filters like Proxomitron but some AV software like Norton also use local proxies to filter email). The reason is that Sygate is unable to control access to such proxies so any malware could gain Internet access using their rulesets (see this FAQ). This has been a long-standing issue and I would therefore suggest Kerio for those looking for a free firewall instead.

Since the Dutch review seems to have missed this point, this does raise the question of whether they really considered security an important factor. The ability to block trojans and spyware also does depend a lot on configuration so did they configure each firewall properly, rely on an out-of-the-box setup or just click "OK" to every prompt? A more valid leaktest comparison can be found at Firewallleaktester.com although this is probably in need of an update.

Outpost Free is getting dated and cannot cope with many of the leaktests available, however it can provide basic security for dialup users and the plugins can certainly help if fully utilised.

As for Outpost Pro, as others have mentioned minor updates (bugfixes mainly) tend to happen on a weekly/fortnightly basis after a major release, then all goes quite when work starts on the next major update. Outpost 2.5 has just been released in beta (more here) and, for those who can install it, (it is somewhat temperamental at the moment) it offers several major improvements in security and usability. Don't ask when it will be released though. (I'd suggest one or two months, depending on the testing).

 

I have read about Outpost with the BSOD which has made me sad as I really was interested in this firewall but I will need one before the new version of Outpost is released I know I have a few niggles with Sygate but nothing like BSOD's and I certainly do not wish to see any on a clean install. If they are driver related then I have Hyper threading and a high spec computer so can only guess I will suffer too and even if I did install it on my laptop it could be a whole different story on my main PC.

Does anyone have Outpost and does not get Blue screens? I am disappointed now as I thought I was at the end of my quest for an alternative firewall but will have to go back to the drawing board now

 

I've been running Outpost Pro for several months now, currently v314, the latest I guess, and have never had a single problem of any kind. I use XP with SP1 and use Firefox browser.

It passed every test I've thrown at it from a number of different sites and I trust it totally. I think it ranks equal to or, considering the plugins it offers, maybe a bit ahead of LooknStop.

 

You can always give Outpost a try - the only way to know if you will experience the (very unlikely) BSOD.