IT Advice: Firewalls

Dear All,
As a long time ( happy ) user of the free Zonealarm, I’m now seriously thinking of ditching it – or at least not re-installing it after it’s latest hiccup resulting in me uninstalling it.
I now have been relying on the M/S firewall in Vista and realise that my Siemends wireless router ( supplied by Tiscali ) has a firewall in it too. From digging around, it appears that free Zonealarm has issues at present ( working ok then deciding to block internet access and generally stop working ) I’ve got the same prob’s as seen on their FAQ. I also have learnt that M/S firewall prevents incoming attack, whilst ZA also stops outgoing stuff to, thereby preventing something that has got in from sending out your info to it’s ‘home’ base.
I use Symantec a/v and Adaware/Spybot as precautions and weekly to scan things .

So…..
How good is M/S Firewall?
How good is a router firewall?

….and will a combination of both result in safety?

I’d appreciate someone with IT knowledge to give me an opinion.
Whilst I’m at work, it’ll be difficult to follow any replies, so will catch up at home!
thanks again for any advice.
cheers
Q

I use my router firewall if they can get through that then I doubt a software based one if going to stop them.

I’d also ditch Symantec and use Avast for you AV.

Hi Drac,
so a router firewall is really that good at blocking???
ta for that, didn’t realise how effective they are.

Symantec – it seems it polarises opinion. I know a lot aren’t very impressed, but I get it free and legal due to work, so I tend to stick with what I know.
Why are you against it – because it doesn’t work too well?….cost?? clogs up the computer??
cheers
Q

Built in FW are very good yse I’m sure some expert more.

It’s can be very resource heavy Avast isn’t and Avast updates the Virus database at least daily.

Is Avast another of the free av’s?
It’s just that I read a thread here a while ago when people were having prob’s with the new version of the free AVG, and I vaguly remember Avast being mentioned?
Q

Router firewalls are good and should protect everything on your network…but make sure you keep the firmware up to date.

Some Linksys routers had a bug that opened it up when you used port forwarding – so you still needed a local firewall for full protection until this was fixed.

The great thing about ZoneAlarm is that it warns you when something is trying to get out – which I find very useful so I still run it behind the router on Windows machines.

But you’d find things a lot easier if you moved away from Windows 😕

Is Avast another of the free av’s?

Yes Avast is free.

Lootenant:
Sorry to be a bit dim – How do I keep the firmware up to date????

I agree about Zonealarm, but the latest version is very glitchy. Put it on my daughter’s lap top which was a Chrismas pressie. We tried to let her have it ‘fully loaded’ so to speak – and on Xmas morning I was muttering total abuse. Zonealarm had blocked the internet access amd wouldn’t uninstall!!!! That’s twice the new version has done that to me on different machines, hence my wondering if it’s all worth the effort, and my post!
Q

Drac: thanks. I’ve got to help my neighbour set up her new laptop, so I’ll take a look at it and see how I get on. I was originally going to go for AVG, but…..!
Q

Sorry to be a bit dim – How do I keep the firmware up to date????

Not dim at all..go to the router manfacturer’s website or to the supplier’s customer service site (Tiscali here I guess). They should have a section for downloads or something like that and instructions on upgrading.

A quick look on Google gave this link below..I don’t know which model of router you have or how long you’ve been using it but this might be of use to you.

Siemens SE587 router firmware release

Lootenant:
You’re a star!
That’s the one….much appreciated
best wishes
Q

If you want another free Firewall try COMODO. If anything it is a bit over-zealous and it can be annoying having to grant permission for access through the firewall (the customised security levels all seem to be “Very Safe” and “Very, Very Safe” or “Off”. But otherwise it seems good (and better than ZoneAlarms that I replaced with it)

jfeb:
A mate has just recommended it tonight.
Any issues with vista?
cheers
Q

Sorry – I missed your post. I use XP so I am not sure how it gets on with Vista, sorry.

I’ve had 3 PC’s running no firewall other than the basic router one for years – no problems so far. However within minutes of opening the SSH port and installing a server (with its own firewall and other security etc) the server was being blasted with false logins (1-200 a day at times). Upped the security more (denyhosts etc) and it seems to have limited their attempts (they get bored after 3-4 failed attempts and subsequent blockings).

Essentially a hardware firewall (like the router) is virtually perfect for the average user (who doesnt have government secrets to be found) and providin the user isnt stupid enough to execute software/virus ridden stuff that opens a port from the inside.