Korean Job Discussion Forums

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

I am using windows xp and I think it's time for an upgrade.

Any suggestions??

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

ZoneAlarm. Can't do better for free.

shane123 · Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Location: Seoul

I'd only ever use a hardware firewall.

In the past I've suggested Netgear & DLink modem/firewall/routers for friends. They don't cost much more than plain modems and offer good protection. For myself, I convert old PCs into firewalls, using free software like m0n0wall or smoothwall. Virtually free, depending on what hardware is lying about the house or can be salvaged from friends/work/dumpsters!

Software firewalls (XP/Zonealarm/Norton/Tiny) are fairly useless, IMHO. I don't see what threat model they protect against. I may be exagerating slightly, but...

External threats are better countered by (1) keeping your OS updated with patches (2) turning off unwanted services.
Internal threats can defeat a software firewall with ease! The best protection is antivirus and antispyware software, not installing new programs without asking an expert, plus not running your PC day-to-day as the administrator user.

Hardware firewalls are more secure (see above), easier to set up (most users can't set up a software firewall properly), don't impact on system performance (software firewalls can slow down especially older machines), do a lot more (SPI, VPN) and don't cost much more than the pro editions of most software firewalls.

This is the page I generally give to people who ask me about securing their PCs. I don't agree with every detail, but I haven't found a better guide yet:
http://www.ghacks.net/2005/11/29/beginners-guide-to-securing-a-pc/

Apologies for the XP-centrism. OSX, Linux etc also need care to keep secure, but most non-savvy users are on Windows. I'd be interested in any other opinions on this - but try to back them up with facts, please... Blind faith in Tiny/Zonealarm helps no one.

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

Ok, this is what I have,

windows xp operating system,
avast antivirus,
Lavasoft adware,
and I use other online sources to scan my computer,

So, I just downloaded Syngate Personal Firewall, but it seems to be conflicting with my internet. I haven't had the time to play with it, but you are saying firewall software really serves no purpose?

It seems that my avast seems to be acting like a firewall. Maybe these two are conflicting. arrrrrrg.....

peppermint · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:51 pm Post subject:

I've been using Sygate's Personal Firewall for the past year or so, free and gives you a little more control than Zone Alarm.

http://www.tucows.com/preview/213160

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Router firmware.

BigBlackEquus · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:49 pm Post subject:

Router firewall, plus AVAST antivirus.

I used to use ZoneAlarm, but dumped it because it fails to block my machine's IP address and some other personal information behind my router. The free version of ZA is not as good as it used to be. Most of the free firewall companies are being bought-up by Symantec, and some others. AVAST does pass the online firewall tests, and hides all of my IPs except the router. Even though it is merely an anti-virus program with a firewall on the side, I am much happier with my ISP and other sites not knowing how many computers I have behind my firewall.

And Avast is free.

shane123 · Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Location: Seoul

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

norton's 2006 internet security

ratslash · Joined: 08 May 2003

DON'T get zonealarm!!! don't, don't don't!!!

i use mcafee security centre simply because not only do you get a firewall, you also get viruis scanner, privacy service and spam killer. it updates automatically but you do need to renew the automatic updates once a year for a nominal amount.

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

get one or two more spyware programs. I reccomendd Spybot search and destroy. No spyware program gets all spyware. So you should have at least two. I use spybot and adaware. Both pick up things the other misses.
you also might want to try microsofts' free antispy ware program. its supposed to be good. you will need a legal copy of xp though.

jazblanc77 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

i've had avast on my computer since the summer and i couple of times i wondered if it was doing the job well enough. So I download zone alarms suite. It didn't find any viruses. Awhile after that i tried out PCtools antivirus. Still didn't find anything. I also tried kapersky. It found a trojan. but i think avast would have got it if i had bothered to run a check before hand.

fiveeagles · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: Vancouver

Ok, this is what worked for me,

Avast virus software,
Zone Alarm firewall,
Spybot,

Working like a charm! Thanks!!!