Deciding betweenPrivateFW/OnlineArmor/Outpost free

Discussion in 'other firewalls' started by drhu22, Apr 15, 2011.

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  1. drhu22

    drhu22 Registered Member

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    How do these compare in terms of features, ease of use, and protection?
    Im thinking of trying an alternative to CIS, and am trying to decide between the 3, unless there is another FW/hips prog that is comparable.

    I'm also running Avira personal and Geswall on W7, and am about intermediate user in terms of understanding FW/hips type of programs
     
  2. Chuck57

    Chuck57 Registered Member

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    If you're running geswall, you don't need anything else.

    Of the 3 mentioned, I use PrivateFirewall, with Sandboxie. Online Armor is excellent and maybe the best of the 3, but doesn't do well on my laptop. I've never tried Outpost.

    Ease of use is relative to the person. Some like to tinker. I just want something that works, until I find something else I can't resist trying.

    If you want something that's effective and good, I'd stick with geswall. It's as bulletproof as anything out there.
     
  3. 1000db

    1000db Registered Member

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    I've used Avira with GesWall in the past and it was very light, quiet, and effective. If you are behind a router I would stick with the Win 7 firewall. Of the 3 fw's you mentioned I would prefer to use PrivateFireWall. It's simple to use. If you are skilled with creating rules for GW it has some network traffic control abilities.
     
  4. pegr

    pegr Registered Member

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    I assume that as you already have an AV, you are running just Comodo Firewall and not the full suite, which includes Comodo Antivirus. You don't say why you want an alternative to Comodo Firewall. If it is just because you fancy trying something different, then fair enough. The best bet is to experiment until you find something you like.

    If it is because Comodo is annoying you with too many alerts, then you don't need all of the Defense+ HIPS settings enabled. It's an unnecessary duplication as you are already using GeSWall. A good compromise in this situation would be to disable some or all of the Defense+ Monitoring Settings and the Sandbox, but leave Execution Control enabled, and rely mainly on GeSWall for behavioural monitoring.

    That way you would still retain the benefit of Comodo Firewall's active connection network monitoring, alerts on outbound connections, and anti-executable, but with fewer alerts.
     
  5. Sm3K3R

    Sm3K3R Registered Member

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    Try Jetico !
     
  6. drhu22

    drhu22 Registered Member

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    Thanks for the replies...am trying OA but page loading seems slower
    Does Jetico have any added protection besides fw? Filseclab?
     
  7. Boost

    Boost Registered Member

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    Windows Firewall + Router + Geswall is the only things I've ran for the last 2-years -no issues.

    If you want an AV,run Antivir Free and sit back and laugh @ malware,I do it every day! :D
     
  8. drhu22

    drhu22 Registered Member

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    Im thinking of doing this but dont know anything about router setup
    Do i need to do any additional config with my existing telus routers default setup?

    Also what is the best windows 7 fw frontend, and configuration? Im not on a network and no file sharing, but am using utorrent.

    already using avira personal
     
  9. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    For your router, you could implement Sunbelt ClearCloud or Norton DNS for your network. Those will provide malware site blocking.
     
  10. ichito

    ichito Registered Member

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    Fox Win XP
    Filseclab FW - excellent and very customisable, ready 6 protection settings + 3 additional levels, many option, "rich" menu from right clik mouse...but this is old firewall...last version after updating is from 2008...and has not HIPS
    Outpost 2009 Free - strong and easy to configure, protect many ports and protocols, level "block most" works like router, strong and easy HIPS whit large B/W list
    For Win XP and W7
    PC Tools FW - very easy and affective, easy to configure, but for me to easy...each trusted application receives automatic access to the Internet
    Privatefirewall - strong and effectice, ready for use just after installation, has strong system monitor (DSA behavioral blocker), not too many option and it has problem whit making rules for Iexplore.exe
    Qnline Armor - last version (5) very nice, strong and easy to use, strong HIPS, full basic protection, nice standalone activity monitor, "run safer" option" (LUA) for selected application...but some problem whit rules for Avastui.exe
    IMO...I use OA Free :)
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2011
  11. drhu22

    drhu22 Registered Member

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    Thanks Ichito...I didnt know filseclab was so outdated.
    Does that necessesarily mean its a poor choice?
     
  12. mantra

    mantra Registered Member

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    is GeSWall 100% free , not nags or other stuff?
     
  13. ichito

    ichito Registered Member

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    It's still for me one of the best free classical firewalls...second is NetVeda. Of course is outdated but still works good even in "weak" computers. I think try it and decide :) Filseclab FW is on the "Probably the best free security list in the world "
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=249469&highlight=filseclab firewall
    http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/probably-best-free-security-list-world.htm
     
  14. ViVek

    ViVek Registered Member

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  15. yongsua

    yongsua Registered Member

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    Private Firewall(Beginners)
    Outpost(Average users)
    Comodo(Advance users)

    I would like to recommend these three products because these products are light on resources especially Private Firewall.Follow by Comodo then Outpost.I used OA previously but it was quite a resource hunger.
     
  16. mantra

    mantra Registered Member

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    may i know what this software have really better then Geswall ?
    thanks
     
  17. ichito

    ichito Registered Member

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    Each firewall can be for beginners...average...advanced users...it depends on their knowledge, skills and experience. In each of these FW you can remain at the defined setting or "enter deeper" into the advanced settings and create your own rules for ports, applications, protocols, IP, ect.
     
  18. chinook9

    chinook9 Registered Member

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    I have used most of the firewalls mentioned in this thread and I apparently don't think there is one best one. I have a number of computers and I use DefenseWall, Online Armor, PrivateFW, and Comodo. I think they're all good and they have to be easy to use or I wouldn't use them. I forget exactly what the problem was but I got rid of PCTools FW quite soon after installation. May just have been this machine.

    Any one of the four I list is good and for a free suite Comodo with AV is an excellent complete solution.

    Also, I use Sandboxie rather than something like GesWall. I have found Sandboxie much easier to use than say BufferWall or similar programs.

    Good luck!
     
  19. JoeBlack40

    JoeBlack40 Registered Member

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    I think you are wrong.I tried Outpost free and my laptop on Win7 Ultimate x86 does not boot anymore.No other security programs installed and always on a clean CTM snapshot.
     
  20. doktornotor

    doktornotor Registered Member

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    Might be the problem. :rolleyes:
     
  21. JoeBlack40

    JoeBlack40 Registered Member

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    Why only with Outpost FW free?
     
  22. ichito

    ichito Registered Member

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    Possible that for this reason...quote from brighthub.com
    "For users who just want something simple, free, and good, Outpost Firewall Free is ideal. But note that it does not appear to officially support Windows 7, yet."
    http://www.brighthub.com/computing/smb-security/reviews/35975.aspx
    and
    http://download.cnet.com/Agnitum-Outpost-Firewall-Free/3000-10435_4-10913746.html
    I think...i'm not wrong :)
     
  23. pajenn

    pajenn Registered Member

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    I switched from OnlineArmor (free and premium) to PrivateFirewall because OA (v4.5) was causing a significant slowdown on my systems. I find PFW to be a lot lighter - almost like running Windows without a firewall, except for the popups. That said, I did find OA to have more features, easier to use, and it probably offered better protection, so if it runs smoothly on your system and causes no slowdown then that's what I would use. I haven't tried Outpost so no opinion on it.
     
  24. cruelsister

    cruelsister Registered Member

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    The most important point that hasn't been discussed is how you use your computer. On my laptop I basically on browse to the same well established websites (no porno/gambling/warez, etc) and never really download anything.

    I've been using Geswall free with Windows firewall for about a year on this computer (checking it's value with HMP and MB scans) without any infection detected.

    So your choice really depends on you.
     
  25. justenough

    justenough Registered Member

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    I just had the same experience, plus Online Armor wouldn't work correctly with sandboxed Chrome, while for some reason Privatefirewall has no problem with the combination. As you say, PFW is running nice and light.
     
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