Zonealarm Freee Firewall VS. Windows XP firewall

[LOUISSSSS]

new to this security stuff, i've always used windows firewall. is Zonealarm Free Firewall better than Windows XP default? in what ways?

 

[AnnonUSA]

Yes it is, in all ways.

 

[Lemon law]

I agree that the Zone alarm free firewall is better than the Sp2 windows XP firewall. But in terms of a freeware firewall,
there are quite a number of better firewalls. Both comodo3 and on line armor runs rings around zone alarm in the matousec tests.

http://www.matousec.com/projec....php#firewalls-ratings

And zone alarm pro which was rated is way better than its free version.

 

[lxskllr]

I like the sp2 firewall. It does what it should, and I've never had a conflict or bug with it. I can't say the same for ZA...

 

[mechBgon]

Also, the Windows Firewall isn't a drama queen when it comes to getting updates, if it even needs them. No attempts to foist a trialware of "Windows Firewall PRO" on you, just another Automatic Update. Works ok for me, and I like the fact that my non-Admin account lacks the power to tamper with it, too.

 

[Rottie]

I have ZA Pro and it did a great job it does not let me down. But it is not free. I tried out Comodo Firewall before but it nagged me when I use PCAnywhere program.

 

[Lemon law]

The comodo3 firewall just got some recent updates and in the past three or four updates, its become far less intrusive. By in large both comodo 3 and on line armor almost self configure, but there always tends to be a training period with any configurable firewall.

 

[IEC]

The only reason I've kept using Kerio 4.12 (deluxe) is that it gives me complete control over outbound/inbound connections and starting/modifying apps. Are there any highly rated firewalls with similar advanced configuration?

 

[JujuFish]

Another recommendation for Comodo here :thumbsup:

 

[rxblitzrx]

I used to use Sygate and it notified me about a LOT of apps that tried to communicate. I notice that Comodo doesn't do that.

Is there a way to make Comodo do this so I can choose which apps, and parts of an app are allowed access?

Is Comodo a two way firewall?

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: rxblitzrx
I used to use Sygate and it notified me about a LOT of apps that tried to communicate. I notice that Comodo doesn't do that.

Is there a way to make Comodo do this so I can choose which apps, and parts of an app are allowed access?

Is Comodo a two way firewall?

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A basic yes yes yes. As someone else noted, especially during its training period, comodo can
almost become too intrusive in its notifications. But the real power in comodo is in its geekiness. Inside of comodo 3 are all kinds of log files and setting it takes a long learning curve to fully master, Fortunately there are help files inside of comodo and a forum to get expert help on. On line armor, at least in its early incarnations lacks those internal help files but online armor does have an equivalent forum. But most user of both firewalls can get away with letting them configure themselves because both programs have extensive white lists.

And yes, both the freeware comodo 3 and online armor free are two way firewalls.

Many years ago I used to use sygate 5.5 because it was such a network friendly firewall. But it kept crashing on me, so I made the switch to the then comodo ver 2.3 and found it even more network friendly. Sadly the first version of comodo 3 was totally incompatible with ICS networking, so I tried on line armor free. When comodo 3 rapidly fixed its ICS networking incompatibility, I switched back to comodo 3, and have had no problems since.

But before anyone switches to either comodo3 or on line armor free, I really recommend googling their forums to get a flavor of user concerns, announcements, and checking to see if they have versions compatible with your OS be it 32 or 64 bit. And both firewalls do sometimes still stumble with some weird software combinations. And because both have their own implementations of HIPS, one should disable any HIPS software you other wise have running.