Windows Firewall adequate?

[MazLad]

I recently picked up a new machine running Vista, In terms of security, I've got 'avast!' and Windows Firewall.

I was just wondering what people's preferences are in terms of firewall? Windows Firewall is pretty handy as it's pre-installed and it doesn't drive me mental, as Norton Internet Security did on my last computer...

But the question is of course... Is Windows Firewall any good when compared to other free downloadable firewalls?

[rayinski]

for long term use, the windows firewall to my mind is inadequate and a lot of the people who post here use either zonealarm or comodo and they can be found here:

www.zonealarm.com (look for the free version)

or

www.comodo.com

I personally use zonealarm, but that's my personal preference, hopefully you will make a choice that's best for you and if you have problems with the firewall of you choice, then the good people here will be happy to help.

Ray

[seanoc]

I have had my Dell laptop for seven months now . Being new to computers I relied on what was pre-installed .I have used the Vista firewall so far without any problems . There is also a firewall built into the router.I know two firewalls can conflict with each other but I assumed the engineer who set up the system knew what he was doing.So far so good.

Goonster [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[mattytun]

Windows XP's built-in firewall isn't enough. 3rd party firewalls offer protection and configurations that Windows Firewall doesn't. Did you know that Windows Firewall only protects inbound communications and not outbound? i use comodo firewall along with AVG antivirus and they both fine

[seanoc]

I thought it was the inbound communications that needed protecting against anyway?
Or am I misunderstanding how computers work?

Goonster

[roadrunners]

goonster , i don't use Zone Alarm so I'm not advertising their product , but this article will help explain.......click me

[mattytun]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought it was the inbound communications that needed protecting against anyway?
Or am I misunderstanding how computers work?

Goonster

[/ QUOTE ]
Windows XP's firewall filters inbound traffic only. This means that if somehow your computer gets attacked, such as by spyware, it could open holes in your machine for it to communicate with the outside world. This can potentially lead to system crashes or identity theft.

[bricat]

windows firewall is definitely inadequate, it monitors traffic in one direction only, if a trojan or virus gets into your system there is nothing stopping it from contacting an outside site, possibly with personal information from your computer, ie credit card details, passwords etc.
if you have a router set up and it has a hardware firewall installed that is sufficient you don't really need a software one, if you are not connected through a router with a firewall you need a software firewall, zonealarm etc.
the windows one is not really fit for purpose.

[seanoc]

[ QUOTE ]
goonster , i don't use Zone Alarm so I'm not advertising their product , but this article will help explain.......click me

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks.It made for an interesting read.I think I`ll try Zone Alarm then.
I assume you have to turn off the Vista Firewall before you download it or does everything happen automatically?

Goonster

[heidi]

Doesn't the Vista firewall manage outbound as well as inbound traffic, in contrast with the XP firewall that only managed incoming traffic?