Is a Sygate Personal Firewall any good any more?

TimTim Southwest PA Icrontian
edited March 2010 in Science & Tech
I've had Sygate Personal Firewall on my home computers for several years now, and it's always done pretty well at keeping viruses out of my way.

BUT - the same version - 5.6, is available now, as it was 4+ years ago.

So is it still supported? Is it still effective? Is there another free download firewall that would be more secure for general internet usage?

Sygate was bought out by Symantec 3 years ago.

Comments

  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    Tim, if you have comptuers, plural, it's implied that they are on a home network. If you set the hardware firewall on the router, why would you be concerned about any software firewall?
  • TimTim Southwest PA Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    I've got a modem, a cheap 4 port Dynex ethernet router, and ethernet out to a couple computers. No hardware firewall that I know of.

    Is Sygate any good anymore as a software firewall?
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    Your router is a hardware firewall.
  • CBCB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    Tim wrote:
    I've got a modem, a cheap 4 port Dynex ethernet router, and ethernet out to a couple computers. No hardware firewall that I know of.

    Is Sygate any good anymore as a software firewall?

    There is no such thing as a good software firewall. You're already on a hardware firewall, so having a software one can actually make you less secure.

    Also: Even if you did need a software firewall, the one that comes with Windows is just fine, as software firewalls go.
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    Yeh. hardware firewalls ftw. I run ipcop at my fraternity and it is very strict. And while some guys wish it wasn't (online gaming issues) overall it does a very good job blocking unwanted traffic and keeping everyone free of digital STDs
  • TimTim Southwest PA Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    So what you're all saying is, is that software firewalls like Sygate or ZoneAlarm or others with good reviews are largely ineffective and a waste of time?
  • GnomeWizarddGnomeWizardd Member 4 Life Akron, PA Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    pretty much use a good anti virus and ditch IE
  • CBCB Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Der Millionendorf- Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    Tim wrote:
    So what you're all saying is, is that software firewalls like Sygate or ZoneAlarm or others with good reviews are largely ineffective and a waste of time?

    For people with a hardware firewall already in place. Yes, that's what I'm saying.
  • airbornflghtairbornflght Houston, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2008
    Tim wrote:
    So what you're all saying is, is that software firewalls like Sygate or ZoneAlarm or others with good reviews are largely ineffective and a waste of time?

    yussir. as long as you have a hardware firewall.
  • RichDRichD Essex, UK
    edited December 2008
    CB wrote:
    Also: Even if you did need a software firewall, the one that comes with Windows is just fine, as software firewalls go.

    Unless the firewall that comes with Vista or XP SP3 has had some major improvements it is not a good firewall. It only protects inbound traffic. So if you do get adware or a virus on your system and the only firewall protection you have is the Windows Firewall then the little nasties can send info from your PC completely unchallenged. Windows firewall has been proven as poor (although I haven't seen any comparrisons for a year or so). The best Free software firewall is Oline Armour. They do have a free version on their site but it is tricky to find. Last time I looked it wasn't Vista compatable either. After that Comodo came a close second and that is available for both XP and Vista.

    If you are behind a harware firewall you shouldn't need any of the above though.
  • JoabJoab
    edited February 2010
    I tend to disagree , and although this thread is +2years+ old I believe firmly that a software firewall (SWF) is good to have as well as a Hardware firewall (HWF) firewall (where possible). AV goes without saying.Although nothing is in-penetrable and a firewall of any sort is only as good as it is configured/Monitored & Scrutinized...

    Symantec ,must have realized this ,why else would they have bought the source for Sygate 5.6 Pro

    - Which IMO is one of the best firewalls ever made.
    [url]http://www.symantec.com/norton/sygate/index.jsp[/url]

    exerpt
    Norton/Sygate Hybrid wrote:
    Sygate Personal Firewall

    Sygate Personal Firewall has been replaced by an advanced "Smart Firewall," available in Symantec’s Norton Internet Security. This firewall is based on Sygate Personal Firewall’s same IPD/IDS technology and provides you with robust online security. This firewall, included in the Norton Internet Security product, provides a simple, unified way to stay protected from online threats. Norton Internet Security also includes essential protection from viruses, spyware, hackers, phishing, and more.

    So in answer to your question , I believe yes.
    :rockon:
  • chrisWhitechrisWhite Littleton, CO
    edited February 2010
    Windows 7's software is fairly good, though I miss the ability to control outgoing traffic (I use Windows 7 Firewall Control to cobble it back in). It's not for security though, I just like to see what's talking to what.
  • miragemirage
    edited February 2010
    Actually, I prefer three hardware firewalls (preferably different brands) in series and two software firewalls running in parallel. You never know;D :crazy:
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited February 2010
    Can you even get to the internets, mirage? ;D
  • miragemirage
    edited February 2010
    Sure, I overclock my routers and watercool them to be fast :)
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited February 2010
    mirage wrote:
    Actually, I prefer three hardware firewalls (preferably different brands) in series and two software firewalls running in parallel. You never know;D :crazy:

    Bet they all are all any-any rules as well ;D
  • rfbtrfbt
    edited March 2010
    Sygate Personal Firewall has been replaced by an advanced "Smart Firewall," available in Symantec’s Norton Internet Security. This firewall is based on Sygate Personal Firewall’s same IPD/IDS technology and provides you with robust online security. This firewall, included in the Norton Internet Security product, provides a simple, unified way to stay protected from online threats.

    While this may be true (and I have Norton's Internet Security Suite) I have been massively impressed with the Sygate Personal program which I downloaded before Sygate was acquired by Norton. I have for years now checked frequently for attempted intrusions, like every day at least a few times. And for attempted extrusions. The blocking ability of Sygate is phenomenal. I assume that's the reason they were acquired.

    Though it makes sense that I'd want to use Norton's firewall (since, after the acquisition, it is rooted in Sygate) I don't. I shut down the Norton version and use Sygate only. After 5 years I cannot be dissuaded. It works perfectly.

    So --- that's all I'm saying. Sygate is perfect.

    Now there's a possibility that it can be circumscribed, beaten. But I doubt it. Not now. Not after it no longer exists as a stand-a-lone. It is no longer the irresistible target.

    In any case, it may well be the strongest rock in the Norton foundation.

    This is not to say that I'll let it remain my sole firewall forever. But for now -- there's nothing better (or as good).
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