Firewalls - advice needed please!

[Epona]

I'm getting my broadband cable connection tomorrow

I know I should install some sort of firewall, but need advice on which one to use - it has to be free for the moment! Next month I could spend a little on something better, but not a lot.

Also I want something that is easy to configure to allow you to play multiplayer games - I'm better at fiddling with hardware than software and don't want anything too complicated.

[andrewas]

SInce im on dial-up I really cant be bothered with a firewall - but Ive heard good things about zonealarm

www.zonealarm.com

There is a free download, although you dont get all the features of the pro edition. Should be plenty for a personal computer though.

[adam warlock]

http://www.zonelabs.com/ they got a freebie
and it ACTs like a firewall but it keeps your comp from being hacked into

[ 04-17-2002, 07:22 PM: Message edited by: adam warlock ]

[RudeDawg]

Hey Epona ! [img]graemlins/wavey.gif[/img]
If you'd prefer a hardware solution...

Many router/hubs come with built-in firewalls (the router captures the main IP addy, and the computers share of of DHCP, so outsiders can't see past the router). If your DSL provider is letting you choose your hardware, you could look for a DSL modem that has the same set-up, or get a router as well.

Software Solution: [img]graemlins/happypc.gif[/img]

BlackIce

Has many fans...

[ 04-17-2002, 07:43 PM: Message edited by: RudeDawg ]

[Animal]

Most software firewalls do a decent job, however no software firewall is perfect. If someone wants in, they'll get in. Personally I run my cable modem through a router and run Norton on my PC as a backup. The router assigns your PC a different IP address than what your provider does, so someone trying to get into your machine from the net will only see the router not the computers behind it. Routers can be tricky to set up for online gaming and such, but in my opinion is the safest method to protecting yourself online. Not to mention you can connect several PC's to the net without your service providing nailing you for seperate IP's.

[Saltheart Foamfollower]

I use Norton Internet Security. I have a DSL line, and have never had an intrusion episode. Granted, there are a few free software firewalls out there, but my experience with Black Ice Defender and Zone Alarm have not been pleasant.

The interface on the small free firewalls are not too intuitive, and there are too many features hidden for novices to find. Norton is very easy to use and very easy to customize to fit your particular needs.

Hardware firewalls are nice, and I also have one up and running, along with the software firewall. You need to take stock of what you want to do with your connection, especially if you like to play online games. If that is the case, lok for a firewall that is easy to enable and disable the proper ports needed for online play.

[Cloudbringer]

Epona, I highly recommend, Black Ice Defender. Most of the people I know who work with computers for a living use it on their home pc's and I've got it on mine. Here in the US it is available in most places that sell computers or software. I've got a cable modem and so far I've not had too much trouble with it at all, even to play mp games. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Sir Kenyth]

Of course, a simple measure is to disconnect when you are not using the network. Firewalls are great security, but can interfere with certain things. Firewalls block some of your access ports. Ports are used for various network functions. If you need to use a blocked port for something you will not be able to. You'll need to do some homework if you want a firewall and also want to do more than surf the web. Firewalls prevent network intrusion by blocking the common connections exploited.

[Epona]

Thanks everyone - I tend to turn the power off when I'm not at my desk anyway, so my modem will be dead when I'm asleep! So I probably won't be connected any more than I was on dial-up (ok, so that was most of the time, I probably should have got a firewall long ago).

How about hardware firewalls? What are the options besides routers? And how are they with multiplayer games?

[Wurm]

In your case a router would be the best way to go hardware firewalls are expensive and really not good for the home user. One software firewall that wasn't mentioned above is Sygate Personal Firewall Pro It isn't free but offers way more features than the others mentioned and is easy to setup.