Looking for a new firewall program

[fustercluck]

I searched already and the sticky security thread is pretty much dead. Anything new out there lately? I used Zone alarm for a long time, seemed to be alright, was a little annoying, but i stopped using it after i got Kerio 2.15. I could never tell if Kerio was working or not, but it was more annoying that Zone Alarm, and froze up my computer a lot. I just uninstalled Kerio. So I'm looking for something besides Zone Alarm or Kerio, free or not free, whatever is recommended. If no one replies i'll give Zone Alarm another try i guess. Thanks for reading.

 

[archcommus]

Just search MajorGeeks or something for the old free version of Sygate. Still works great.

 

[fustercluck]

I don't like Sygate...i just tried it - Any program that won't minimize the systray gets a quick thumbs down from me.

I would rather have an up to date firewall, instead of using something over 3 years old.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: jacktackle
I don't like Sygate...i just tried it - Any program that won't minimize the systray gets a quick thumbs down from me.

I would rather have an up to date firewall, instead of using something over 3 years old.

The last free version of Sygate is much newer than three years old, and it still does its job just fine. It's not like software firewalls are evolving much. I can guarantee you it is better than any other free option out there, and probably better than any pay option, too, since it's so light. And it can most certainly minimize to the system tray, that's where I have mine all the time, not sure what you're talking about.

 

[beyonddc]

I second Sygate. It's one of the best out there.
Like archonmmus said, you can still get an older version online for free.

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: jacktackle
I don't like Sygate...i just tried it - Any program that won't minimize the systray gets a quick thumbs down from me.

I would rather have an up to date firewall, instead of using something over 3 years old.

The last free version of Sygate is much newer than three years old, and it still does its job just fine. It's not like software firewalls are evolving much. I can guarantee you it is better than any other free option out there, and probably better than any pay option, too, since it's so light. And it can most certainly minimize to the system tray, that's where I have mine all the time, not sure what you're talking about.

Could you tell me what the last free version of Sygate firewall was?

Yeah for some reason the one i tried was buggy and wouldn't minimize to tray, doubt i'll have that problem if i try Sygate again.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: jacktackle

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: jacktackle
I don't like Sygate...i just tried it - Any program that won't minimize the systray gets a quick thumbs down from me.

I would rather have an up to date firewall, instead of using something over 3 years old.

The last free version of Sygate is much newer than three years old, and it still does its job just fine. It's not like software firewalls are evolving much. I can guarantee you it is better than any other free option out there, and probably better than any pay option, too, since it's so light. And it can most certainly minimize to the system tray, that's where I have mine all the time, not sure what you're talking about.

Could you tell me what the last free version of Sygate firewall was?

Yeah for some reason the one i tried was buggy and wouldn't minimize to tray, doubt i'll have that problem if i try Sygate again.

I'm not sure, but the one on MajorGeeks is dated October 2004. Either way it doesn't matter, a software firewall is a software firewall, the new ones are not any better or more secure.

Download this one and thank me later.

 

[fustercluck]

Eh, this thing either tries to hog up my taskbar or it runs invisibly. I just want to be able to access it from the Systray. I guess it's not all that bad that it's hidden, a little annoying though. Anyhow, i'll give it a shot. Thanks.

 

[GhettoFob]

Kerio Personal Firewall 2.1.5

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: jacktackle
Eh, this thing either tries to hog up my taskbar or it runs invisibly. I just want to be able to access it from the Systray. I guess it's not all that bad that it's hidden, a little annoying though. Anyhow, i'll give it a shot. Thanks.

I really don't know what you're talking about. Mine runs right in the system tray and nowhere else. Not hidden and not in the taskbar.

Tools -> Hide System Tray Icon

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: jacktackle
Eh, this thing either tries to hog up my taskbar or it runs invisibly. I just want to be able to access it from the Systray. I guess it's not all that bad that it's hidden, a little annoying though. Anyhow, i'll give it a shot. Thanks.

I really don't know what you're talking about. Mine runs right in the system tray and nowhere else. Not hidden and not in the taskbar.

Tools -> Hide System Tray Icon

Yeah i don't know what the deal is *shrugs*. It just doesn't like me i guess. I have the Hide System Tray Icon selected, but it just stays on my taskbar until i X out of it, then it runs in the background hidden somewhere, not on my systray or anything. Weird. I guess i'll keep on giving it a try though, at least until i find something else.

 

[John]

Comodo Personal Firewall 2.2.0.11

PC Magazine review - Comodo - Editor's Choice and highly rated

 

[Evander]

I'm looking for a new firewall too (needs to have a low footprint for my 800mhz/128MB sys). I was using kerio for several months but found out it was the cause of many a bsod on my win2k laptop (google: fwdrv.sys). I was looking at these 2 and was wondering if anyone here had experience with them. They claim to be lightweight (to be sure, the filesizes are quite small):
http://www.ghostsecurity.com/index.php?page=ghostwall
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Firewall/AS3-Personal-Firewall.shtml

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: John
Comodo Personal Firewall 2.2.0.11

PC Magazine review - Comodo - Editor's Choice and highly rated

Can you contact Schadenfroh somehow? This should be added to the consolidated security thread.

jacktackle, you want to make sure that option is UNselected, and then X out of the program and it should go to the tray.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: jacktackle
I searched already and the sticky security thread is pretty much dead. Anything new out there lately? I used Zone alarm for a long time, seemed to be alright, was a little annoying, but i stopped using it after i got Kerio 2.15. I could never tell if Kerio was working or not, but it was more annoying that Zone Alarm, and froze up my computer a lot. I just uninstalled Kerio. So I'm looking for something besides Zone Alarm or Kerio, free or not free, whatever is recommended. If no one replies i'll give Zone Alarm another try i guess. Thanks for reading.

I've used various versions of Zonealarm exclusively and not disliked it. Seems impressive to me. I had a major problem when I found an incompatibility between my VPN software and version 5 of ZA. My fix was to install an older version (some version of 4) of Zonealarm and resist all teasers to "upgrade." I imagine the latest versions have fixed that problem but haven't bothered to try them. If you are having a problem with one version, try another is my suggestion.

Edit: I misunderstood your post. I thought you were having an incompatibility (I woke up less than an hour ago....). You find ZA a "little annoying?" I submit you are going to find any FW a little annoying. The minor annoyances I've had with ZA, I can live with.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: jacktackle
I searched already and the sticky security thread is pretty much dead. Anything new out there lately? I used Zone alarm for a long time, seemed to be alright, was a little annoying, but i stopped using it after i got Kerio 2.15. I could never tell if Kerio was working or not, but it was more annoying that Zone Alarm, and froze up my computer a lot. I just uninstalled Kerio. So I'm looking for something besides Zone Alarm or Kerio, free or not free, whatever is recommended. If no one replies i'll give Zone Alarm another try i guess. Thanks for reading.

I've used various versions of Zonealarm exclusively and not disliked it. Seems impressive to me. I had a major problem when I found an incompatibility between my VPN software and version 5 of ZA. My fix was to install an older version (some version of 4) of Zonealarm and resist all teasers to "upgrade." I imagine the latest versions have fixed that problem but haven't bothered to try them. If you are having a problem with one version, try another is my suggestion.

Edit: I misunderstood your post. I thought you were having an incompatibility (I woke up less than an hour ago....). You find ZA a "little annoying?" I submit you are going to find any FW a little annoying. The minor annoyances I've had with ZA, I can live with.

What kind of annoyances? The only way Sygate EVER pesters me is by asking if I want to grant a process internet access, which of course is understandable since that's what the program's there for. I see no reason for the OP not to stick with it.

 

[fustercluck]

The problem i had with Zone Alarm turned out to be the same problem i had with Sygate (that and the minimizing problems). It lagged me in online games. I know it sounds like something that would be all in my head, but i know it to be true. That's why i ended up uninstalling Zone Alarm, after a long while of lagging in games, which i thought for that time to be problems with my ISP.

I don't know why firewall programs would do that. Something to do with my router maybe...i dunno. I don't think it was just in games, but probably was happening all of the time, just more noticeable when gaming. It wasn't a constant lag, the games would just stall a couple times a minute, sometimes more, as if i were going to get disconnected, but then the game would continue. During the times when it wasn't stalling, it was normal. So it seems those firewalls somehow 'pause' my internet connection at times.

Like i said i used Kerio 2.15 for a while, and that problem didn't happen when i used Kerio. Though Kerio bothered me in other ways.

Hope i explained all that well enough. So i'm still in need of a firewall, i'll probably end up trying a more obscure program, as the popular software firewalls haven't served me well thus far. Any recommendations would still be appreciated though.

 

[archcommus]

I'm sure we can configure Sygate to suit your needs as many people here use it and are very happy with it.

Make sure Hide System Tray Icon is unchecked and see if it minimizes to the tray okay. Then make sure your games are all set to 'Allow.' (Launch them and hit Yes and Don't Ask Me Again.) Then play some and let me know if the lag still occurs. If it does we'll investigate further.

 

[fustercluck]

Guess we could investigate then - The games wouldn't start until I until i put them on the allow and don't ask me again list, so that wasn't the problem. I'm not interested in trying to get Sygate to work though when i could use something else without the hassle (hopefully). So I'm still looking for something that's not Sygate, ZA, or Kerio 2.15. Maybe i'll try the newer version of Kerio and see if i had any of the problems i had with 2.15.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: jacktackle
Guess we could investigate then - The games wouldn't start until I until i put them on the allow and don't ask me again list, so that wasn't the problem. I'm not interested in trying to get Sygate to work though when i could use something else without the hassle (hopefully). So I'm still looking for something that's not Sygate, ZA, or Kerio 2.15. Maybe i'll try the newer version of Kerio and see if i had any of the problems i had with 2.15.

I suppose you could try that although beyond 2.15 it is no longer a free program.

I understand you want a less-hassle experience, but the fact is Sygate and probably Kerio are just about the lightest, simplest, most unobtrusive firewall programs you are likely to find. The stuttering/lag is most definitely another issue with the system. Possibly related to the firewall, sure, but not necessarily the only cause.

 

[fustercluck]

Kerio's new stuff didn't look appealing to me at all.

Can't believe it's so hard to find a firewall, you'd think there would be a million out there. Really hard to find a decent one though, or one that likes me at all enough to work right

 

[KoolDrew]

Why not just use the native Windows firewall?

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: jacktackle
Kerio's new stuff didn't look appealing to me at all.

Can't believe it's so hard to find a firewall, you'd think there would be a million out there. Really hard to find a decent one though, or one that likes me at all enough to work right

I don't know how to make this any more clear to you. Sygate is the most decent firewall you're going to find. It is completely flawless. If you don't want to use it, fine, but please stop saying it's too hard to "find a decent one" or a good one, because any problems you're having with Sygate is NOT Sygate's issue. I guarantee you something else is wrong for why you can't see it in the system tray. And other than that it should not be giving you any issues.

 

[fustercluck]

You don't work for sygate do you? >_>

Whether or not the minimizing problem is due to the program or something else on my computer doesn't matter to me, it bothered me none the less and i didn't want to spend hours trying to find the root of the problem. Like i said it was lagging me in games too, i can't have a firewall be doing that. ZA did it as well. I'm sure Sygate qualifies as a more than decent firewall, but it didn't work well for me.

 

[archcommus]

That's understandable, but if every firewall you try is causing you lagging problems, I think it's kind of obvious the issue is elsewhere in your system and not due to the firewall itself. Also, you never told me if you made sure that Hide System Tray Icon was UNchecked.