what software firewall program are you currently using

[SemiCycle]

Just wondering what firewall program you guys are currently using. I've been using Tiny personal Firewall for a while now and haven't really looked into upgrading / changing it. Is there anything better out right now.

[Krusty]

difficult to beat ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonelabs.com). It's free and it works wonderfully. That's the answer you'll get from most of the people here too. I believe the majority of the people here use zonealarm.

[Maxvla]

Ditto Krusty

[Mr. Chambers]

this may sound dumb, but isnt a hardware firewall the best way to go? i have a linksys 4port router&switch routing my traffic to my computers.. are they safe, or do i need to throw zonealarm on them too? thats alotta work.. i have around 6 or so in the house here...

[Kendan]

I am behind a linksys router and I use Zone Alarm on my main rig. ZoneAlarm prevents unauthorized programs from getting access to the net:D I also use Ad-Aware. Good Luck:D

[H4deS]

BlackIce over here

[Mpegger]

Sygate Personal Firewall. Way better then ZoneAlarm (my previous firewall) because of all the tweaking and configuration you can do with each individual program.

Got ICQ and dont like the ads? Just block remote port 80 from being accessed by it and bingo, no more ads. Can't do that with ZoneAlarm. :D

[Penguin4x4]

Norton Internet Security and Ad Aware 5.82

[Tweaked!]

Originally posted by Mr. Chambers
this may sound dumb, but isnt a hardware firewall the best way to go? i have a linksys 4port router&switch routing my traffic to my computers.. are they safe, or do i need to throw zonealarm on them too? thats alotta work.. i have around 6 or so in the house here...

Just to try answer your question from experience, I have a Linksys 4 pport router too serving two computers and both have Zonealarm installed and running constantly. At least once a week Zonealarm pops up saying it just stopped an entry ( which was some kinda hacker trying to gain access to one of them) which the router never caught. Zonealarm is also great for stopping programs that have been downloaded from sending info about you. Plus, if you haven't done so, read the manual that came with your Linksys router and change the password. I've seen others get hacked because they thought they were safe but never changed the factory password (which most hackers know the password)

[Penguin4x4]

A hardware firewall simply masks your IP address on the net

[Mojo(s7)]

PLEASE. Not ZoneAlarm. I use Norton Personal Firewall - It sounds simple - but it is very sophisticated and powerful - even blocks unwanted ad banners...

Oh and slipknot, If you wear a 'spitsnot' hoodie - I must inform you that its not cool anymore. :beer:

[SemiCycle]

Thanks for all the input guys. I too use a hardware router, but I really like having a software firewall around to stop those pesky programs (err windows) from calling home when it wants to

[SteenkyBastage]

I've used TPF (tiny personal firewall), zonealarm, and a hardware firewall (router). My input on the 3:

Hardware: Unless you're bypassing the routing (dmz), it's pretty secure from stopping people on the WAN (internet, or anything past the router) from seeing your computer. Doesn't stop programs from connecting out... such as trojan horses.

Zonealarm: IMO, the mac version of a software firewall. Pretty user friendly, nice looking interface, but not so customizeable.

TPF: Not as pretty, or user friendly... but much more customizeable and powerful. Can block specific ports or specific ip's. Lets you monitor each program/port's tx and rx... the power-users version of a software frewall.

I personally use TPF in conjunction with a router. But in purchaseing a new router for work, I noticed the new firmware has built in features to work hand in hand with zonealarm... so perhaps it may be worth checking into.

[SemiCycle]

Very interseting. I also upgraded my linksys router to the new UPnP bios, but I don't use Zone Alarm to take advantage of it. On my wifes Windows ME machine, I did get a small UPnP icon on the taskbar after the flash letting me know that the computer recognized the new UPnp device on the network. Maybe I'll install Zone Alarm at a later date and see what new features it adds.

BTW, it is nice to see someone else using TPF

[buckbadly]

I use Norton's Personal Fierwall, along side ad-aware 5.83, and have had no problems yet, knock on wood.;)

[Carnil]

I use an older version of AtGuard, from before they started adding security holes in the name of making it easier to use. I also use the Proxomitron to filter out annoying ads, particularly javascript-based ones and popups, but leave ordinary banner ads alone.