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[Doom_Bringer]

I am using Zone alarm right now and it sucks! It keep asking me over and over again if I wish to allow the programs to access the internet. Before Zone alarm I was using Outpost and that was going crazy; blocking GAF and IGN! Norton sucks because it uses a lot of system resource.

Are there any decent software firewalls out there???

 

[Lhadatt]

Windows Firewall.

Don't have it? Upgrade to XP and grab SP2. You need to anyway, all previous versions of Windows are broken and prone to zombification - well, moreso than a properly patched/continuously updated XP.

The best firewall is a hardware solution. Even just a NAT setup (think home broadband router) is a good start.

 

[Lord Error]

I am using Zone alarm right now and it sucks! It keep asking me over and over again if I wish to allow the programs to access the internet.

That's what a good firewall should be doing. Once you give permission to a piece of sowtware to access the internet, it won't ask you again for that particular software (make sure to check the option "always allow" in the popup prompt)

 

[Meatpuppet]

The problem is that ZoneAlarm wipes its permissions list almost any time you reboot the PC. Having to re-confirm access permissions for all your programs everytime your PC powers down without correctly turning off is a huge pain in the ass.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

The problem is that ZoneAlarm wipes its permissions list almost any time you reboot the PC. Having to re-confirm access permissions for all your programs everytime your PC powers down without correctly turning off is a huge pain in the ass.

exactly!

Please anyone! recommend a good software firewall,

 

[megateto]

The problem is that ZoneAlarm wipes its permissions list almost any time you reboot the PC. Having to re-confirm access permissions for all your programs everytime your PC powers down without correctly turning off is a huge pain in the ass.

NEVER had that problem (I'm on Win98, yeah, I know, that is the old stuff.. but no PC gaming, no need for a new computer).

 

[maynerd]

The problem is that ZoneAlarm wipes its permissions list almost any time you reboot the PC. Having to re-confirm access permissions for all your programs everytime your PC powers down without correctly turning off is a huge pain in the ass.

I do not have this problem. You must not be checking the always allow box.

 

[Nerevar]

exactly!

Please anyone! recommend a good software firewall,

a "Good" software firewall really doesn't exist. Get a hardware firewall.

And my parents use ZoneAlarm with no trouble, they've never had the problem you're describing. They are the least tech-savvy people I know. Are you sure you're using it correctly?

 

[Meatpuppet]

Originally Posted by Meatpuppet:
The problem is that ZoneAlarm wipes its permissions list almost any time you reboot the PC. Having to re-confirm access permissions for all your programs everytime your PC powers down without correctly turning off is a huge pain in the ass.

Originally Posted by maynard:
I do not have this problem. You must not be checking the always allow box.

No, that is not the issue.

The issue is that on any of my XP machines, if it powers down/resets without fully shutting down, all prior permission settings are reset.

I seriously discourage anyone looking at ZA from using it. Try something else, and save yourself a whole heap of grief.

 

[maynerd]

No, that is not the issue.

The issue is that on any of my XP machines, if it powers down/resets without fully shutting down, all prior permission settings are reset.

I seriously discourage anyone looking at ZA from using it. Try something else, and save yourself a whole heap of grief.

This sounds like a computer problem and not a problem caused by Zone alarm. Zone alarm has been working perfectly for me for a long time. And my hopeless parents can use it too. Don't bag on ZA it's a good piece of software and it is free too.

 

[The Faceless Master]

best software firewall?

joke question!

there is no such thing.

 

[Jdw40223]

best software firewall?

joke question!

there is no such thing.

Couldn't have said it better. They are prone to mistake and misguidance like today's yute's!

Go with hardware. Easiest way.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

best software firewall?

joke question!

there is no such thing.

why do people keep saying this? It's nonsense.

MacAfee Desktop Firewall 8.5 works very well at my work. You just need to work on your rulebase for a bit then it should be smooth sailing.

 

[aoi tsuki]

i've been using Sygate Personal Firewall (free) for a couple of years with no problems. i was a ZA user before that, but it started blocking everything. i don't know how it compares to ZA now, but at the time it gave you far more options than ZA did, most important of which to me are the logs.

Recommending SP2 for the firewall is a very hamfisted approach, especially if you don't plan on reinstalling Windows anytime soon. i'm still on SP1 with no problems, but i'll install SP2 a few months from now when it comes time for the annual OS relay.

 

[Drensch]

Zone Alarm sometimes forgets with me too, on win98 and xp. But It's no big deal. It seems to work great. FYI this to check your firewalls and security:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/tools/mbsahome.mspx#xsltsection124121120120

http://www.hackerwatch.org

 

[fortified_concept]

Outpost firewall. Best damn firewall I've ever used. And I've tried LOTS of them.

 

[GaimeGuy]

wasn't gibson research planning to release some kind of software firewall a few years back? What ever happened to that?

 

[maynerd]

Outpost firewall. Best damn firewall I've ever used. And I've tried LOTS of them.

Is it free?

 

[Phoenix]

If you MUST have a software firewall and don't mind throwing some piece of shit machine between you in the internet - you won't do better than:

http://www.smoothwall.org/