DSL/Cable runners: Are you using a firewall? Which one?

[MichaelD]

I'm investigating everything that could go wrong/cost me $$$ before I jump onto the DSL or cable bandwagon.

I'm aware that both these types of connections are "always on". This leaves your pc vulnerable to attack. But only if you leave the pc booted up, correct?

I've downloaded Sygate Personal Firewall Link here It got a top rating for "Personal Firewall Freeware" from one of the PC magazines that I buy. I loaded up on my pc at home, even though I only have a dialup modem and don't leave my computer on the time, just to play with the firewall program. The program seems awesome! It comes with a user's manual (in Adobe Acrobat) that's about 40 pages long. It gets into stuff I don't understand yet like "packet initialization settings", "port latency", "port packet pocket protection" at stuff like that. I'm sure I could learn it though.

Anyway, my question is: Those of you that use Cable/DSL, do you have a firewall on your system? I should specify that I'm only talking about home users, not running a business. I would imagine that anyone running a business, i.e. has on-line ordering w/credit card numbers and such, already has a firewall. Well, that's it. Thanks and have a nice day.

 

[Quickfingerz]

zone alarm all the way! (well it's free so you can't go better bang for the buck)

it's a really good program too.

 

[BigSmooth]

I have cable, and I use Zone Alarm Pro. I believe you can get the standard version of Zone Alarm for free.

<< I'm aware that both these types of connections are &quot;always on&quot;. This leaves your pc vulnerable to attack. But only if you leave the pc booted up, correct? >>
Correct, your computer has to be on to be &quot;attacked&quot;.

Edit: Quickfingerz lives up to his name, beat me to it,

 

[MichaelD]

I've been playing with the Sygate Personal Firewall. I'd imagine that in theory, all firewalls do the same thing. Depending on the settings, it may or may not let you download anything at all, or it offers minimal protection. How do you guys have yours setup? Like as in, &quot;high-medium-low&quot; type deal.

 

[dalfollo]

i installed zonealrm the other night and was surprised how often there are folks 'looking into' my PC...it is the best and free...check the hot deals for gateway routers (like the netgrear rt 314) so you can set up a home network...

 

[Impact55]

I used to use Zone Alarm ( free one) it was great, but the hardware router that I use now is a lot better.

 

[bernse]

Blackice. Has the lowest CPU usage by far for the software firewalls that I tried. They have a free demo too.

 

[BaDaBooM]

I use SMC barricade router. Hardware firewalls have the best protection. However, software firewalls, like Zonealarm and BlackICE, are ok if you don't have much money to spend.

 

[1KrazyFool]

No firewall here. Been safe so far.

 

[Need4Speed]

zonealarm...is my favorite
blackice is nice too...but has no application specifc rules

 

[Taz4158]

Don't need one. If you're set up properly it's completely unnecessary.

 

[Budman]

I use Norton internet Security.

 

[jleon]

One of the major drawbacks of using Sygate is it seems that you cannot use ICS with it.
ZoneAlarm baby!!

 

[Techno]

I'm using Ugate 3200P router... it has its own firewall built in

 

[Zorn]

Blackice

 

[lagvoid]

if u had dsl shared in a network would all the computers need to run a firewall? or just the main computer...

 

[Doomguy]

Exactly if you've set up your computer properly you dont need a firewall program.

 

[DerProfi]

Hardware router with NAT (e.g. one of the $100 Linksys or Zyxel units) sorta eliminates the need for firewalling software unless you stick one of your machines in the DMZ.

 

[Rockhound]

Used to use Zonealarm, but recently switched to hardware router --> SMC Barricade. Very easy to set up BTW.

Rockhound

 

[GorillaBoy]

When I had a dialup I used ZoneAlarm, and would definately recommend that one. But now that I have cable, I also use a router/switch with basic NAT...works swell.

 

[Angst]

Gotta recommend a 4pt SMC barricade router...has a serial port and parallel port + built in print server...

 

[formulav8]

I use ZoneAlarm

 

[blstriker]

To be safe as possible, use a hardware router/firewall (linksys netgear etc) and software firewall (zonealarm is free).

 

[dadx2mj]

I use3 Norton Personal firewall. Those that think if they disable print and file sharing they are safe are wrong in my opinion.

 

[Vyle]

I use ZoneAlarm. A firewall is the way to go. Take it from someone who's had worms invade my system before.