Vista 64 - best free firewall and anti-virus?

[manko]

I'm just starting my first Vista 64 build and I'm stuck at the first thing I usually install.

I use Zone Alarm on all my systems and I like the feature where it asks you whenever an unauthorized program tries to connect to the internet. If I'm not doing anything that requires the internet, I usually deny access. Unfortunately, it seems that there is no Vista 64 version of Zone Alarm.

I know there is a built-in Vista firewall, but it seems to just let any and all programs connect to the internet whenever they want.

What is the best recommended free firewall for Vista 64? Hopefully, there is one that has the Zone Alarm feature I mentioned above (notification when unauthorized programs try to connect to the internet).

Comodo is one that a search turned up, but I'm not sure if it works like Zone Alarm or not. I'd also like to hear opinions and other recommendations.


As for free anti-virus, I am starting out with Avira Anti-Vir. I have tried a number of free anti-virus programs on different machines (Avira, Avast, AVG) and Avira works well for me.

I am open to suggestions though. Let me know if there is a better free, 64-bit anti-virus out there.


Thanks for your advice.

 

[ViRGE]

The Vista firewall blocks outbound programs, just like Zone Alarm. If you're having problems with it not blocking things, it may be the network mode. I think by default, only the "Public Location" network mode has the firewall at its most paranoid state.

 

[manko]

Thanks for the reply. I'll see what happens with the "Public Location" setting.

It really bugs me to be running local offline programs and have them connect to the internet to send "anonymous usage data" or automatically update without notification when I haven't explicitly allowed that behavior.

 

[warriorfan23]

comodo is awesome

 

[pugh]

Originally posted by: warriorfan23
comodo is awesome

agreed

 

[Doomer]

Who in their right freakin' mind would trust a firewall from Microsoft ?????????

LMAO

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Doomer
Who in their right freakin' mind would trust a firewall from Microsoft ?????????

LMAO

It's a perfectly fine firewall. It's a bit bare bones compared to retail products, but it does what it's supposed to. Other than the fact that the Windows Firewall ended up loading too late on Pre-SP2 XP machines, it's never had a problem that I know about.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: Doomer
Who in their right freakin' mind would trust a firewall from Microsoft ?????????

LMAO

I do,why use a third party firewall when you don't need too.
I use Vista firewall with my router which has a hardware firewall ,plus usual anti-virus/anti-spyware with UAC enabled,very solid security.

Some people forget one of Vista's main improvement features is Security.