Looking for a good free firewall

WeaponX6X

Member

​

Joined

Apr 10, 2003

Location

UT

• Feb 27, 2006

• #1

I'm looking for a good free firewall...any ideas? Or should I just stick with Norton that I can get for free through my University?

 

dawei213

Member

​

Joined

Jan 4, 2006

Location

PA

• Feb 27, 2006

• #2

For a good basic firewall, go with Zonealarm.

 

OP

WeaponX6X

Member

​

Joined

Apr 10, 2003

Location

UT

• Feb 27, 2006

• Thread Starter
• #3

I didn't know it was free. Thanks!

 

Mr.Guvernment

Member

​

Joined

Feb 26, 2003

• Feb 27, 2006

• #4

wasnt Zonealarm the one reporting info back to their company illegally - not sure i would be going with zonealarm

 

B

Beginner

Member

​

Joined

Sep 21, 2004

• Feb 28, 2006

• #5

Mr.Guvernment said:

wasnt Zonealarm the one reporting info back to their company illegally - not sure i would be going with zonealarm

Click to expand...

yep, thats the one, supposed za fixed the problem/issue, they said there was nothing malicious about it dialing out but due to peoples concerns they removed that function/patched or whatever technical jargon they used.

 

Pestoballs

Member

​

Joined

Apr 13, 2005

Location

NY

• Feb 28, 2006

• #6

i use kerio personal firewall
zonealarm is ok also

 

icedragn

Member

​

Joined

Jan 20, 2005

Location

Ontario, Canada

• Feb 28, 2006

• #7

I dislike zonealarm, try the latest Sygate Personal Firewall, they aren't releasing anymore because stupid symantec bought them... anyways it's a great firewall!

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Firewall/Sygate-Personal-Firewall-PRO.shtml

The best firewall however, imo, is a router and knowledge, because with those you won't have any issues and won't have a software firewall slowing things down.

 

khiloa

Open Source Senior

​

Joined

Jul 15, 2004

Location

/usa/sc/florence

• Feb 28, 2006

• #8

I've used Kerio before and it seems nice.

 

Elif Tymes

Member

​

Joined

Dec 8, 2004

• Feb 28, 2006

• #9

I use Sygate as well.

 

threeme2189

Member

​

Joined

Oct 5, 2004

Location

Drowning my sorrow and misery in apple juice

• Mar 1, 2006

• #10

kerio is pretty good.

 

Oric

Member

​

Joined

Feb 21, 2005

Location

The high cold desert of Nevada

• Mar 1, 2006

• #11

Try a smoothie!

Go here to get the latest version of Smoothwall.

Oh and did I mention it's FREE!!!!!!

 

Silverfoot

Member

​

Joined

Sep 14, 2005

Location

Anchorage

• Mar 6, 2006

• #12

Oric said:

Try a smoothie!

Go here to get the latest version of Smoothwall.

Oh and did I mention it's FREE!!!!!!

Click to expand...

Looks like someone beat me to the punch. This is a bit more involved then just installing software on your current os, but well worth the time.

You would need to build/acquire a box. An old Pentium 233 or K-6 would be more than sufficient. 3 or 4 gig hard drive and 256 megs of ram. Smoothwall is a Linux based Distro, stand alone os that filters all tcp/ip traffic when configured properly. It uses a web based Management GUI, so after initial installation, you can put the box in a dark corner with nothing attached to it except a power cord and cat cables.

Setup and configuration is very easy, and there is a good set of manuals that you can dowload with the software. Setup properly, the FBI would have a difficult time getting into your system.

I have forgotten already if a link was provided so here it is.
Smoothwall
Read up, and there is a great forum for tech questions.

Best of Luck.

 

unreal

Registered

​

Joined

Jul 18, 2003

Location

miami

• Mar 6, 2006

• #13

i use sygate as well, but i have router and still use sygate, lets me know when oh hey look i have spyware to..

 

asusradeon

Member

​

Joined

Oct 25, 2004

Location

127.0.0.1

• Mar 6, 2006

• #14

zomealarm deffo !!

 

>HyperlogiK<

Member

​

Joined

Nov 10, 2004

Location

Sword Base

• Mar 6, 2006

• #15

no need to worry about Zone Alarm phoning home, just add
"127.0.0.1 zonelabs.com"
to your hosts file.