how good / effective is LnS

Just came across it.

Wondering how it compares and whether I should change from my current firewall.

 

what is your current fw? Generally speaking it is good firewall (for some years now)

 

Look N Stop is one of the best "pure" firewalls going. Easy to configure and strong dll detection. It's light as a feather and maybe 1/8th the size of many of the others, probably because it is rules based as opposed to application based. Give the trial a spin...

 

The only one that I use! And recommend for a pure Firewall with no HIPS!

TH

 

Look and Stop is as good as is it's ruleset. It's a no-nonsense firewall. Unlike others.

It will give greater control over protocols (with RAW rules plugin even down to Level 2) than any other personal firewall. The question is do you need this, and I certainly don't know the answer.

 

Trying it now. Find it is much lighter. I like the authorize/block facility. Do I need to tinker with it any further?

Does the lack of HIPS make it weaker than other firewalls?

 

Do I need to also run Defensewall or anything else.

Set up now

NOD32 AV
LnS
MBAM Pro

 

Here is a good link explaining the firewall setup from Blackspear: https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=83498

The Nod32 and Look N Stop combo was one of my first setup's and it worked out great...

 

With LnS you will need the Phant0m ruleset:

http://www.mntolympus.org/

It introduces features like anti-ip spoofing etc.

 

why? whats special about it?

 

The extended ruleset (in LnS) - many say - is more than enough.

But using such a lightweight firewall with phant0m's ruleset gives you that awesome, warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Phant0m's ruleset while not essential is quite complex and sophisticated.