zone alarm versus windows xp firewall

taurusgb

Hello all

I keep reading conflicting stuff about the merits of both of these - I know it's usually bad news to try and run two firewalls or two virus programmes alongside each other so which firewall do you all think is best between zonealarm and windows xp built in firewall ?

I've been using zonealarm for ages, and have been happy but after the last two upgrades it takes a LONG while to load when I start up my PC so am thinking of gettign rid and using the windows xp one unless someone tells me different......?

Zahc

ZA provides incoming and outgoing security. XP firewall is only incoming, I believe.
Have you tried a complete uninstall of ZA, then downloading their latest offering and installing that? Might make things trip along a bit quicker. 'Course you'll have to teach it again.............

DrEvil_2

I have uninstalled ZoneAlarm on one of my laptops. It was creating all kinds of havoc that just disappeared when I uninstalled it. I'm currently using Windows XP on that laptop.

On my home laptop, I still use ZoneAlarm but haven't installed the latest update.

I'm on the fence with this one also

polybear

The Windows Xp Firewall only works on incoming information, wheras Zonealarm works for both incoming and outgoing information. Stick with Zonealarm, unless you don't mind sending viruses etc. to other people.
I've got Zonealarm too, so understand your frustration about waiting for it to load. It's worth it though - have you had any problems with viruses etc. whilst using Zonealarm? That's far more important than saving a minute or so. Two thoughts:
1. How much RAM have you got? I upgraded from 256mb to 768mb (i.e. I added a 512mb module) which speeds things up no end.
2. How about not turning your pc off completely (assuming it's a desktop and not a laptop that gets moved around) but leave it in Standby Mode instead? Apparently this places less stress on components (caused by repeated power on cycles) so is beneficial to reliability. I'm told by a friend who's a pc engineer that motherboards often have a "number of power up cycles" rating - his computer has 3000.

Hope this helps.
Polybear.

leesmithg

Windows firewall over zone alarm any day.

Zone alarm I believe has caused a lot of people a lot of grief past 3 years.

wolfman

leesmithg wrote:

Windows firewall over zone alarm any day.

Why? The Windows firewall is awful and full of security holes.

ZoneAlarm provides decent inboudn/outbound protection. If using it really is a problem, then get Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall instead.

leesmithg

wolfman wrote:

Why? The Windows firewall is awful and full of security holes.

ZoneAlarm provides decent inboudn/outbound protection. If using it really is a problem, then get Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall instead.

What security holes is wfw full of?

Enlighten us all especially me.

wolfman

It doesn't protect against outbound attempts. A huge security hole if ever there was one, especially with regards to spyware and rogue diallers.

It can be circumvented by a program or application local to the system.

The inbuilt API which allows apps to modify the firewall rule set (without the users knowledge or consent). This is done so that when you install things like MSN Messenger, the correct ports are opened automatically. This can obviously be abused though. Administrator access is required, but then again the majority of XP users use accounts with admin rights.

And a long list of past security holes and patches, many fixed during SP2 but some after, doesn't reflect well or instill confidence in the product. I'd personally much rather go with some more secure and robust, namely Kerio Personal Firewall in my case.

leesmithg wrote:

Windows firewall over zone alarm any day.

I'm open to hearing your reasons why, would benefit the OP too.

Zahc

I'm open to hearing your reasons why, would benefit the OP too.

Me too. Am I missing something? I'm guessing it's a resource thing.........

skiddy2k

leesmithg wrote:

Windows firewall over zone alarm any day.

Zone alarm I believe has caused a lot of people a lot of grief past 3 years.

On the contrary, ZoneAlarm over Windows Firewall any day!
yes, more people complain about ZoneAlarm, but thats only because more people use ZoneAlarm.
Zonealarm also warns about what programs are using the internet, so in a way, it helps users diagnose problems with programs hogging the internet, trojans and worms.

flateric_2

I don't know anyone who moans about zonealarm apart from Bill Gates.