[jerryscoins]

Was wondering if windows firewall was good enough or if I shoould get another one. I have heard somethings about zonealarm,outpost and commando. Are any of these any good, or something else? Thanks.

[Advertisements]

Windows firewall is good for what it does.
It only protects one way which is the input way.
I personally suggest Comodo firewall found in my signature below.
It is less of a resource hog then some of the others and therefor will not slow your system down.

[rshaffer61]

Windows firewall is good for what it does.
It only protects one way which is the input way.
I personally suggest Comodo firewall found in my signature below.
It is less of a resource hog then some of the others and therefor will not slow your system down.

[jerryscoins]

Thanks. But what is the output way..I mean I know what it should mean but computer wise I am not too sure.

[rshaffer61]

Input is the traffic coming into your system.
Output is what you send out from your computer.
In other words if you are trying to send a picture to a friend the output side would be what determines if that file is allowed through setting up the exceptions list.
Input would stop unauthorized access to your system as I'm sure you know that side of it.
Think of the output as a way for you to make sure that you are not sending any file to someone who you may not want to. If they are not on the exception list then you would not be able to.
I hope this answers it clearly for you.

[jerryscoins]

Yes thanks that does help. Is online banking transactions or paypal things like that effected by output? Again i appreciate your time.

Edited by jerryscoins, 25 October 2009 - 10:25 AM.

[rshaffer61]

Yes as it will need to be setup for an exception.
You want to make sure you go to the login page on anything like that.
If the site is a secure site the address should be HTTPS and not just HTTP
You wouldn't want to think you are at a secure site and end up in a hacked site where you would give up your login password, account numbers.

[NomDeKeyz]

Thanks to rshaffer61, I am using comodo firewall. I like it well enough.
It was easier using windows firewall because I never had to think about it.
Taking the time to adjust to this new firewall is well worth the protection.

While running windows provided firewall, AVG 8.0, and surfing gaming sites,
I got a malware infection that kept accessing the internet and kept installing
newer, nastier versions of itself. With a reformat and new malware protection,
I am running smoothly again. If I were as protected then as I am now, I might
not have gotten infected at all; tho IF I DID, Comodo would have prevented the
downward spiral by preventing that initial malware program from accessing the
internet without my permission. Who knows what info was sent out? Luckily, I
have no private data on my computer; only files/information of sentimental value.

I really think that getting a better firewall, taking the time to adjust to it and
learn how to use it, along with other preventive measures, is well worth the time.
Just tell yourself that you are preventing a big hassle by investing in a little one.

Edited by NomDeKeyz, 26 October 2009 - 08:37 PM.

[rshaffer61]

Thanks for the update NormDeKeyz. It is always good to hear from someone who is actually using the suggestions we make. They can tell with personal experience how they work better then we can suggest.