PC Tools Firewall Plus - v4

Hi Everyone!

Just like always when I install something New.... I'm In A Muddle!

Today I have uninstalled v3 and installed v4

Note!
When I installed v4 - I installed it for as a Normal User ... Not Expert User

I found the installation for PC Tools Firewall Plus v4 a little confusing

1*
Even though I had uninstalled v3 first...
On Installation... v4 told me there was already a file in C:\Programs for - PC Tools Firewall Plus.
It asked me - " Do you want to install the new one anyway? "
I panicked and clicked - OK
Does this mean there is now likely to be 2 PC Tools Firewall Plus folders in my C:\Programs?
One for v3
&
One for v4
OR
would the folder for v4 have replaced the one for v3 ?
Too scared to look!

2*
The installation asked me did I want to install PC Tools Adapter Drivers ... Well something like that anyway
Again...
I Panicked and Clicked - OK!

But the thing that's got me most puzzled...

3*
When the computer had first Restarted after installation...
I had a Pop Up asking me.... " Do You wish to Turn On - Quiet Mode? " ... " Allow or Block "
This Time...
Trying Not to Panic ... I Clicked - Block

* However...
When I tried to sign into AOL I had to click - Allow approximately 8 times
So I panicked again!
Opened PC Tools Firewall Plus and set it to - Quiet Mode

Did I do the right thing?

I have a little boy ... So I really can't have a Firewall with a million Allow or Block Pop ups a day.

The amount of pop ups in v3 was just about right for me and my son to cope with.

But to be honest... I've had No pop ups since!
So I don't know what to think

After having another look at the settings....

I'm guessing that Quiet Mode is actually a setting within Enable Enhanced Security Verification

And I'm guessing Enable Enhanced Security Verification
Is what used to be Enable Protection Against Code Injection in v3

But Enable Protection Against Code Injection used to be OFF by Default
And I don't think it had Normal or Quiet Mode

So should I even have Enable Enhanced Security Verification tuned on in the first place?

Because I had originally clicked - Block ... When v4 asked me did I want Quiet Mode
And then I changed my mind!
Opened PC Tools Firewall ... Settings ... Filtering ... And set it to Quiet Mode myself!
I am now just a bit unsure as to what my settings should be

When I went into - Settings ... Filtering
And changed Enable Enhanced Security Verification from ... Normal Mode - To - Quiet Mode.
I Did Click - Apply
But was I also supposed to Click - Refresh ?

Enable Enhanced Security Verification is still turned - ON
But I have now got it on Quiet Mode .... Rather then Normal Mode

Note!
I still have my PC Tools Firewall set as - Normal User

Can Someone please tell me if the following settings are correct...

Enable Firewall - ON

Application Filtering - ON

Enable Enhanced Security Verification - ON
Normal Mode - OFF
Quite Mode - ON

Packet Filtering Enabled - ON

Enable Stealth Mode - OFF

Enable Stateful Packet Inspection - OFF


Also...
I have noticed that when I first turn on my computer... There is a massive Spike of my Core 2 Quad CPU
100%

And...
Things like IE7 are taking slightly longer to open and close

Could this be to do with one of my Firewall settings?
Maybe.... Enable Enhanced Security Verification ?

There have been people reporting problems with Enable Enhanced Security Verification
But as I am one of those people that usually leaves settings I don't completely understand at there - Default
I'm a bit worried about just going ahead and turning it OFF

If Enable Enhanced Security Verification really is the same as...
Enable Protection Against Code Injection in v3
Then shouldn't it still be OFF by Default?

Or Is The New Thing for v4 ....
Enable Enhanced Security Verification
ON by Default - But also set to Quiet Mode by Default too?


I'm so sorry this post is so long!
I've found it really hard to explain what I'm trying to say

 

Zeena don't worry about it. v4 will have installed over v3. Your settings are Ok except it's better to have stealth mode and stateful packet inspection switched on. This will hide your computer better on the web. If you want very few pop-ups switch off Enable Enhanced Security Verification, however this will disable HIPS protection so if you don't have another HIPS program then leave it on. You would still be warned if a program tried to connect to the internet if you had it switched off. Once it's "learnt" your set-up it will not give you lots of warnings.

 

Hi Speedtouch

Re : Enable Enhanced Security Verification

I'm Not getting loads of Pop ups since I set it to Quiet Mode.

But I think it's having a negative affect on my computer

e.g.
Opening and closing a some programs takes a few seconds instead of instant.
And...
When I first turn on the computer... All 4 Cores of my CPU hit 100%

 

Hi Zeena,

I would advise you to reinstall version 3.0.1.14 for the moment. If your quad hits 100% means that something is very wrong with the latest version. Give them some time to short the major bugs out of it; after 1-2 updates you can try again the v.4.

If you do not have the older version you can download it from here. http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/106611&vid=514152&mode=info


Panagiotis

edit: I just checked and version tracker redirects to the official pctools page. Anyway I uploaded the latest v3 on rapidshare just in case.
PC Tools Firewall Plus v.3.0.1.14

MD5 Hash = 5277E6DA94A099AB725B87A5F6F8FC44
SHA-1 Hash= A849C01EF4D041FE6F52DDBB8ED6365EC1467D21

 

Hi Speedtouch & Pandlouk

The CPU problem is all to do with - Enable Enhanced Security Verification


I've had to switch it OFF
When my little lad tried to play his online game ... My CPU was constantly at 100%
At one point... I thought the computer was going to Blow Up

With Enable Enhanced Security Verification switched OFF .... CPU activity is perfectly normal again.

Just upset that I've had to turn a default setting OFF

I'll probably try turning Stealth Mode and Stateful Packet Inspection ON tomorrow.

It's so hard to get the time to do anything / test anything - When you have just the one computer... And have to share it with your child

I've got some other worries about the amount of Applications v4 has automatically added to its list... And Given - Full Access
Not sure if this is a new thing!
Or was v3 not working right ... And v4 is?
I don't know!
But I'll be back when I've got more time to explain.
God help me when the school holidays start


Thanks!

 

Hi Everyone!

Well I have turned ON - Stealth Mode and Stateful Packet Inspection

And All Is Well!​

​

Note!
I Noticed...
When I turned Stealth Mode and Stateful Packet Inspection - ON
Enable Enhanced Security Verification ... Reset itself to Normal Mode - Rather than Quiet Mode.
Enable Enhanced Security Verification ... Is Still Turned - OFF
With Normal Mode selected ... But - Greyed Out!

My One Remaining Worry...

The List Of Applications!
When I had v3 .... Applications were only added to the firewalls list - Once I had used that Application for the first time.
e.g.
I would start up a program and be asked to - Allow or Block
Most Applications would then be given access for - Connecting ... But Not - Listening.
Only a very few Applications were automatically added to the firewalls list of Applications ... And Given - Full Access
But With - v4
PC Tools Firewall Plus ... Has itself! - Automatically listed a whole load of the applications on my computer.
The Problem Is...
It's given almost all of them - Full Access
Things Like...
Java
Microsoft Office
Windows Explorer
Control Panel ... I didn't even know this one needed Internet access
Windows Calender
Rundll32 ... I find this one extremely concerning!

To be fair!
I think PC Tools Firewall Plus has added to list of Known Applications for v4

But do you think they may have gone a bit - Over The Top?

Please understand...
This is the first Firewall I've ever had to learn / Do anything with.
I've always had Norton before.
No Pop ups ... Nothing!
It just got on with the job.
So I really don't know what is - Normal .... And what is - NOT!


Any Advice Welcome Please!

 

Hi Everyone!


Re : Applications
All Sorted!
Apparently it's normal with PC Tools Firewall Plus v4 ...
For Most... Microsoft - Security - And Other Important Applications ... To be automatically granted - Full Access

Re : Enhanced Security Verification
There is obviously a Serious Problem with this part of PC Tools Firewall Plus v4
People are reporting everything from...
Like Me... High CPU Usage!
Computer / Firewall / Programs - Freezing!
At worst - Not being able to install at all - Big Problems!

However...
With Enhanced Security Verification turned - OFF
Touch Wood!
PC Tools Firewall Plus v4 ... Seems to be working just fine for Me

​

Thanks!​