Started using Kerio Personal Firewall, and it seems to be quite good. They are the makers of Tiny's personal firewall, but are separate now.
I think the Kerio beta is looking good, but since it is still based on Tiny there is no reason for it not too The only thing I can say in the negative is that it keeps prompting me when a number of my programs start a vxd file. I can't even boot up my PC without being there now as it warns me that first NOD32's AMON is starting a vxd file from my C:\Windows\Temp directory then as I allow that it warns that C:\Windows\explorer is starting a another one called vnbt.vxd or vbnt.vxd don't remember which. This comes up every time I start or restart my computer and I have to allow them to load or AMON and my system will not start. It also warns me on a number of my other programs as they load vxd files when I start them, anyone else seeing this? I am using Win98 SE if it matters.
I just downloaded it now. And it is quite annoying to have to answer all thes questions about the vxd's. I tested loss of internet speed with it, but it manages very well. I ditched Zone Alarm because of this. It slowed down my speed to about 3,5 Mbit/s. This program does not slow down my speed much at all. My speed is now 9,81 Mbit/s which is about what it should be. If I have to answer to these annoying questions every time, I will ditch this program also. I see there is a reg tweak for it over at DSL, so I might thry that first. EDITED: I use W98
I agree, the pop up screens are annoying :-/. Otherwise, I think Kerio is a fine firewall. It's like Tiny (I've always liked Tiny), only with improvements, including being able to pass PCFlank's latest "stealth" tests. The popups can be disabled by editing the registry. Go to: HK_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\fwdrv. Set the "KernelModuleAuth" to 00 00 00 00. Reboot.
hi everybody, im new here. i think the vxd is implement for some purpose, i forgot what it is, maybe something to do with application masquarading (leak test). but if it can be disable through registry those trojan writer may include it with their program...it defeat the purpose i think. sorry for my english
Yes, they do serve a purpose. I read it some place. But I would rather take the risk than have to click these warnings a million times a day
And now I have said good bye to Kerio as well. The registry trick worked fine, and I did not have to answer a million questions any longer, BUT: It was somehow unable to function correctly in a foregin registry file. My "Common Files" folder is named (I don't know if the foreign charackter is shown here) "Fælles Filer" and Kerio translated this to some other cryptic charackter (the My sign) and very many things did not work any more. I have experienced this with many programmers who seem to forget that there are other languages in the world than English. So now the hunt goes on.
