Best free firewall?

Gillor

tombruton87 wrote: »

not really much differnce in firewalls as its simply traffic routing. you want an ids

Fundamentally you're right, but isn't that a bit like saying there's really not much difference in cars, they're simply a means of getting from A to B?

Sparhawke

I have always recommended ZoneAlarm, while it does seem to forget that I wish to allow Battlefield3 it is quiet, unobtrusive and simply works without being a burden.

You may still be able to get Sygate and while this is no longer supported it is still an excellent product. (Norton basically bought it then shelved it because it was that good at blocking malicious acts)

tombruton87

Gillor wrote: »

Fundamentally you're right, but isn't that a bit like saying there's really not much difference in cars, they're simply a means of getting from A to B?

yes that st true, also though the average user would not have clue how to configure one properly. the firewall on the router is far better at protecting you for the average person as they have no interaction with it.

And we all know users are the biggest problem

steve-L

tombruton87 wrote: »

yes that st true, also though the average user would not have clue how to configure one properly. the firewall on the router is far better at protecting you for the average person as they have no interaction with it.

And we all know users are the biggest problem

Pretty much all firewalls except some dodgy windows software is based on free software (IPCHAINS). (All hardware, Mac,Linux BSD is)

The only difference is the configuration and HOW you configure it.
Your ISP provided router will probably have everything you need if you only access the internet from home or work (where you hope they have). Its simply a matter of setting it up, which can be easier said than done.... but most ISP's have forums and those forums have some helpful people who know the ISP's routers.

tombruton87

IPtables and chains are unix based however windows systems from what I hear work a similar fundamentals. I only really use linux in my job and home a bit of OSX as well. essentially all they do is close ports, they can have other features which is like a basic IDS/IPS.

However for the OP it most likely wont matter what firewall he uses. I would just stick with the windows one. If you havnt changed your router it will just drop any incoming connections that have flags set in there headers to start a connection. The same will apply for UDP.

if you wanna go crazy get a supported router and flash it with dd wrt

steve-L

tombruton87 wrote: »

IPtables and chains are unix based however windows systems from what I hear work a similar fundamentals. I only really use linux in my job and home a bit of OSX as well. essentially all they do is close ports, they can have other features which is like a basic IDS/IPS.

However for the OP it most likely wont matter what firewall he uses. I would just stick with the windows one. If you havnt changed your router it will just drop any incoming connections that have flags set in there headers to start a connection. The same will apply for UDP.

if you wanna go crazy get a supported router and flash it with dd wrt

Sorry, wasn't too clear......
Almost all home routers have ipchains/iptables BUILT in..... (as well as a lot of other *nix software like dns server etc.)
They are functionally identical (like generic ibuprofen and nurofen).... however the only difference is the way you set it up...

Once it's configured a home router gives you the same protection as a firewall as an enterprise class one or paid software.
(To be honest I have no idea what the Windows SW uses (never actually thought about it) but I'd be surprised if its not also based on iptables/ipchains.....

So no need to spend any money for a home based firewall as your ISP provided router will almost definitely provide it.
To configure you can use the forum for your ISP or search on the actual model of your router ..... and find someones that knows that router....