Third-party firewalls

[SuperDave]

First I tried ZoneAlarm and now I'm trying Commodo Firewall and they both have me so frustrated with their insistent intrusions. Installing or uninstalling a program takes forever with all the "do you allow" popups. It's almost as annoying as the UAC on Vista. Is there any firewalls out there that do not get in the way yet do a full job?

[Broni]

You know, it's either this, or that.
You can use Windows firewall, and it won't bother you at all.
Is it good? I don't know. It's one way firewall though.

I never liked ZA and every once in a while, ZA convinces me why, like one the latest ZA updates causing a conflict with AVG (which I don't like either), resulting with browsers not working.

I use Comodo and I really don't mind a question here, or there. I feel safer that way, and I can see what real changes are made to my computer.

You can try PC Tools firewall, which interferes much less.

[Helpmeh]

You know, it's either this, or that.
You can use Windows firewall, and it won't bother you at all.
Is it good? I don't know. It's one way firewall though.

I never liked ZA and every once in a while, ZA convinces me why, like one the latest ZA updates causing a conflict with AVG (which I don't like either), resulting with browsers not working.

I use Comodo and I really don't mind a question here, or there. I feel safer that way, and I can see what real changes are made to my computer.

You can try PC Tools firewall, which interferes much less.

I've heard a lot of good things about Comodo. I used CA a while ago and it wasn't bad...not great, but not bad either.

[kaveman1969]

I didn't like Comodo. I can't put my finger on why, I just didn't. I've been using the free version of Sygate, and while it pops up occasionally to ask if something is OK, it seems that its "learning curve" is better than most.

I've really grown to like it, and I've used basically all of the free firewalls out there. Maybe give that a shot and see if it works for you.

[overthehill]

Thanks. Think that I'll try Sygate. I feel about PC Tools Firewall Plus like SuperDave feels about ZA.

[rthompson80819]

Some of this thread reminds me of a pop up blocker I tried several years ago.  Every time it blocked a pop up, it had it's own pop up that proudly stated it blocked a pop up.  It was just as annoying as the advertising pop ups.

[Allan]

First I tried ZoneAlarm and now I'm trying Commodo Firewall and they both have me so frustrated with their insistent intrusions. Installing or uninstalling a program takes forever with all the "do you allow" popups. It's almost as annoying as the UAC on Vista. Is there any firewalls out there that do not get in the way yet do a full job?

This is why I've never used a 3rd party firewall. Windows built in firewall combined with a router and a good AV has always been enough for me. I even run UAC on quiet mode for just this very reason.

[BC_Programmer]

Allan, the one problem is, that I don't think windows firewall was two-way in XP; I know 7 has outbound and inbound monitoring and I'm pretty sure Vista does, but I don't believe Windows XP does.

Of course I'm going by the OS he has listed in his profile, which may be wrong.

[overthehill]

I know after a recent Trojan encounter it was suggested by the malware experts  that I use a browser other than IE and it was also suggested that I use a firewall other that the one that comes with XP.

[SuperDave]

XP Firewall doesn't block outgoing traffic which can be the most harmful. I do a lot of financial work on my computer and I don't want to run without a third-party firewall. My router doesn't have a firewall. But, with Comodo just uninstalling a program or installing a new one turns a 3 min. job into a 1/2 hour, frustrating experience where I just have to sit there and continue clicking "allow" .

[overthehill]

Well as kaveman1969 suggested I'm now trying Sygate so I'll see how that plays out? Like I said earlier PC Tools Plus was quite trying.

[2x3i5x]

get Online Armor Firewall. It does its job, doesn't bug you too much. The free version is fine. Compared to the paid version, I see it's just missing automated updates and all the features that should be covered by any decent antivirus software.

Evil recommended this firewall so I'm using it, and it does fine 


Unlike comodo firewall, when a software is being uninstalled or installed, and Online Armor firewall detects it, just click on trusted software and install mode and Online Armor firewall will never bug you anymore about the software in question during the uninstall/install process.
 

[Allan]

Allan, the one problem is, that I don't think windows firewall was two-way in XP; I know 7 has outbound and inbound monitoring and I'm pretty sure Vista does, but I don't believe Windows XP does.

Of course I'm going by the OS he has listed in his profile, which may be wrong.

Correct - XP's firewall does not block outgoing traffic. Never bothered me in the least

[overthehill]

Well I tried Sygate and found that I was again consistently plagued with intrusions.  So I'm now trying Online Armor at 2x3i5x's suggestion ( Thks). Really like it ,sure doesn't have nearly as many intrusions as the others that I've tried lately.

[2x3i5x]

Well I tried Sygate and found that I was again consistently plagued with intrusions.  So I'm now trying Online Armor at 2x3i5x's suggestion ( Thks). Really like it ,sure doesn't have nearly as many intrusions as the others that I've tried lately.

hope finally get one firewall you like. 

[overthehill]

Looks like a keeper. Thks,again.

[mr-bisquit]

Yes:
Run level 1 or 2.
Do not add the active user to wheel.
Tweak your browser.