Freeware Firewalls

Anyone have an opinion about some of the Firewalls that are freeware?

I have seen ZoneAlarm and a few others on www.filehippo.com and www.spychecker.com

I am going to install this on a computer running Windows ME.

It seems my local IP provider is letting to much crap through anymore to rely on just an anti virus and spyware programs. I just had an instance a couple weeks ago where adware took me over in a matter of minutes. I have Avast, which as going crazy, Spybot, Ad-Aware, Spyware Blaster, they are all tweaked tight and the adware still got me. I am still puzzled how this happened.  No hint of problems prior or since, but I am spooked big time.

Is the firewall a better route? I'm thinking yes.

Thanks.

zone alarm has an extremley good firewall i use the bought version and have never had a problem so i persume the freeware version would be quite good to

[Moderator]

Kerio also has a free Personal version....

Sygate had one til' Symantec bought them out and ended support for their free firewall...

patio.  

[Moderator]

the adware still got me

Do you know what it was?

Sygate is still around c/w support and being a firewall it doesn't really need updates.

There were several critical issues that Adaware found. I don't really recall actual names now.

It seems one was maybe pacifica.com or something like that. I do remember seeing an ad page for the Publishers Clearing House open up .

And I had several highjack attempts.

 Are the Zone Alarm, Kerio, Sygate, about it for the freeware?

Thanks.

[R.I.P.]

Fordtruckmaniac..... If you have Win Xp installed , I would be d/l  Ms antispyware Beta ........... It has hijacker protection and others built into it and its very good ....... Be sure to get the latest version thats good until July 31 2006 .  
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&displaylang=en

dl65  

The computer I'm asking about for this has ME on it.

[Moderator]

SpyBot Resident.

SpyBot Resident.

Got it already. I keep it updated religiously.

[Moderator]

Running the Resident?
Using IE tweaks to lock the host file too?

Running the Resident?
Using IE tweaks to lock the host file too?

Okay, I seem to have misunderstood you. I have "Spybot" freeware on the computer and keep it updated.

I take it you are talking about another version or different setting of it?

Thanks.

[R.I.P.]

Fordtruckmaniac

I take it you are talking about another version or different setting of it?

no ,he's refering to SpyBot V1.4RC ..........when you open it up , down at the bottom on the left side you will see ....3 + signs .......Settings,tools,info & license....... click tools  then when the new window opens ...look on the left side and you will see a shield (Resident ).....click it ......then in the center part make sure you tick the 2 boxes , if you want both active.

dl65

Fordtruckmaniac

no ,he's refering to SpyBot V1.4RC ..........when you open it up , down at the bottom on the left side you will see ....3 + signs .......Settings,tools,info & license....... click tools  then when the new window opens ...look on the left side and you will see a shield (Resident ).....click it ......then in the center part make sure you tick the 2 boxes , if you want both active.

dl65

I just came from there. I did not have the check mark in the "Resident Tea Timer" box. I have it activated now.

Do I need to lock the host files also then, in IE tweak? No one uses this computer but my wife, myself, and adult daughter.

Thanks.

[R.I.P.]

 Fordtruckmaniac..... It certainly wouldnt hurt to do so.

dl65