Which SW firewall? Hardware or software?

JLamyJLamy UK
edited December 2003 in Science & Tech
Hi.
I am using 1Mb ADSL broadband internet in UK. I use a D-Link DSL-504 modem/router/switch box to plug into phone line. 2 PCs plugged into network ports at present. Which firewall is best there is, in your opinion? Am currently using Norton Internet Security 2004, but am trialling F-Secure Internet Security 2004 on another machine. I have read that F-Secure's anti virus detection rate of best there is for a long while so have switched AV, but am thinking of switching to there software firewall too. What do you think? Should I or can I use a hardware firewall? I know my router has some filtering capabilities, but dont really know how to configre it. Just left them on defaults.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • NebulousNebulous New York, The Empire State
    edited December 2003
    You can use either:

    Sygate personal firewall:http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm

    and Zonealarm:http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10039884.html

    Both are free and good.
  • stoopidstoopid Albany, NY New
    edited December 2003
    I am assuming you're concerned with what's trying to "phone-home" (send information from the PC to an external server), because the current setup will keep most everything out by default (preventing casual msblaster probes and dos attacks).

    I only use Norton AV 2002 on my laptop, hiding behind my wireless netgear router. Never a problem. I personally don't care about who/what calls home, if I need to I'd just toss zonealarm on there.
  • rapturerapture
    edited December 2003
    Still using Kerio here...

    http://www.kerio.com
  • JLamyJLamy UK
    edited December 2003
    Stoopid:
    Well yes you are right, but not my main concern as Norton Internet Security 2004 will ask me if a prog wants net access, if I turn off the auto rules setting. I like NIS2004 cos of its integrated Ad blocker which I find really easy to use, and add sites to block. But like most ppl I want the best setup for my personal gain. Hence why I have uninstalled Norton AV in favour of F-Secure Anti-Virus 2004 from reading various AV reviews.

    Rapture
    Kerio site looks the part, and sounds like the best software firewall money can buy. Do you think?


    Nebulous
    I've used ZonAlarm before, and I guess it is the best freeware firewall, but it was a bit complicateed to setup right cos I couldnt access 1 computer from the other, and vice versa for a while.
  • NebulousNebulous New York, The Empire State
    edited December 2003
    Ahhh, same thing happend to me,lol. Took a few tries but eventually I learned ;) ( I wasn't gonna call stoopid, he would've chewed my ear off and call me a dumb ass, lmao !)
  • JLamyJLamy UK
    edited December 2003
    Well I'm sure he not that nasty....??? :)
  • stoopidstoopid Albany, NY New
    edited December 2003
    Originally posted by JLamy
    Well I'm sure he not that nasty....??? :)

    Actually, I can be because he used to call about everything until I finally told him that I learned what I know through google and my own trial and error. It's also a fact you learn more and retain that knowledge better when you work hard to find the solution yourself, which is why having someone do your homework for you doesn't work in making you smarter :0.
  • JLamyJLamy UK
    edited December 2003
    Oh I see. I will agree with that. But sometimes you just need a quick answer, and cannot be bothered to research, which is why I like the idea of finding without searching! :D
  • rapturerapture
    edited December 2003
    kerio Personal Firewall is free for personal use. The latest build is slightly crippled in the way it will stop working as a gateway after a 30 day trial period.

    If you just have one machine then the free version will be fine.
  • stoopidstoopid Albany, NY New
    edited December 2003
    Originally posted by JLamy
    Oh I see. I will agree with that. But sometimes you just need a quick answer, and cannot be bothered to research, which is why I like the idea of finding without searching! :D

    That's the rub, quick answers and explaining why the sky is blue are two different things! :p
  • NebulousNebulous New York, The Empire State
    edited December 2003
    Originally posted by JLamy
    Well I'm sure he not that nasty....??? :)

    Originally posted by stoopid


    Actually, I can be because he used to call about everything until I finally told him that I learned what I know through google and my own trial and error. It's also a fact you learn more and retain that knowledge better when you work hard to find the solution yourself, which is why having someone do your homework for you doesn't work in making you smarter :0.

    Told ya, did'nt I ? lol :D No matter what ppl say about him or what medications he's on this week, he's still uber kool ;)
  • stoopidstoopid Albany, NY New
    edited December 2003
    Originally posted by Nebulous
    or what medications he's on this week

    I stopped taking them a long time ago... is that where I went wrong? :rolleyes:
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