• Zonealarm Firewall Free Edition

Meaning they block attacks from getting into your home network unless your home network makes a request to the Interent and receives an attack. For example, click a link on a web page that inidvertantly downloads a virus. Your home router/firewall wouldn't pick that up but an AntiVirus application would.At a minimum you should have a firewall/router, local antivirus app and local spyware app for proper protection. Adding a local firewall app is good if you have the technical knowledge to lock it down properly. For most home users, I find them to be a hinderance. This is an amaising product, it's 'hiding' your computer in internet streem when you can 'see' others.

I'm using it many years, different versions, and happy with it. Alsough I prefer simlified versions like 3.5.th or Pro 4.0.146.029. Technicians advised to get rid of Z.A. Becouse they don't want to move a finger to do the best for you. If you want to be safe - lern how to use Zone Alarm. Be prepared to.

it of sometimes when you want to do things that is not safe for Zone Alarm p.of view, when done, turn it on again. Sinse you learn it, you aliminate many headaches for yourself. I put this software to an interesting test. I had 2 Dell machines to strip and rebuild.

I Installed windows 2K and went to get all the patches online, thinking that I would be safe if I just went to Microsoft and only that. By the time I got the patches, literally only minutes online with a fresh install both computers had been completely overrun with viruses! As soon as I installed NAV2004 it freaked trying to scan the proliferation of emails eminating from my machines.Obviously I had to start all over. I used the following order: Windows, Zone Alarm, NAV2004, connect to internet, get NAV stuff, get Windows patches, then everything else.Since then, I have repeated this basic procedure many times and all six machines are alive and kicking after up to two years.I do not use a router, and I'm sure there are other ways to keep people out of my box but Zone Alarm DEFINATELY makes a difference! Whether you use ZA Pro, Black Ice or some other software firewall, you need to take the time to learn HOW to use it.

Don't let some hardware dweeb that barely knows a UTP from an STD tell you to get rid of your firewall. Firewalls, both hardware and software, take some learning - and using both types in series is a recommended practice.

As mentioned above in another post, the typical home-use hardware firewall which is typically part of a router/modem/firewall box and doesn't provide adequate protection from newer application threats. I have a home network with a hardware firewall on the IAP router and three computers - each with a different software firewall running on it. Of the three different firewalls I use, ZA Pro is the least obtrusive and easiest to configure initially. But all firewalls take work to get some applications to connect outbound. My recommendation is to find another tech service that has a QUALIFIED technician with an Info Assurance background to help you if you feel the firewall configuration issue is beyond your abilities. BUT NEVER EVER run your system without at least two firewalls between you and the internet! ZA prevents shares connecting on untrusted networks.

Zonealarm Firewall Free Edition

If you mark your network as trusted, you should be able to get to any share you want on that network and they should be able to get to your shares.I have been using ZA for several years - currently the ZA security suite. Though it is occasionally a pain in the., it has protected me very well and I would not compute without it. I have it on 7 of 8 of my machines. I have a hardware firewall, but it does not allow me to configure my fixed IP machines very well.Richard. I have had so many system problems which come down to ZA processes hogging my processor for ages.

I have used ZA for a while and it does a good job with anti virus and indeed the firewall works well, but the trade off for system problems is just not worth it. It even blocks Outlook for retrieving email, even though it's an allowed app.I tried a program called F-secure (because my ISP supplies it for free!) and it was a revelation! It actually works and doesn't cause other problems with background activity slowing down my whole system like ZA. It's SPAM filter is also really good.If you are thinking of a firewall, avoid the Zone Alarm nightmare! A firewall will not protect you from virus infection, but no one in the form of Trojans can get through.you / your mother shld also run AV protection.several free ones availabe and a lot of ppl here use AVG.you can either go toand down load the one of your choice, or you can go toand d/l AVG free version.or you can purchase whatever AV you want.but that is the most important of all three, firewall, Spyware Protection and AV.hope this helps.please post back if further clarification is required.

Hi,Alternatives usually leave a lot to be desired.Low cost 3rd party software firewalls are pretty much problems waiting to happen. They all havecompatibility issues and offer only a few enhanced controls. In fact their issues often actually lowerthe overall security instead of raising it. The Windows Firewall has no compatibility issues and isextremely secure if you know enough to bypass most of the hype. Quality software firewalls costthousands. Most routers have hardware firewalls built in and those are considerably better additionsfor the buck than any cheap/low cost software firewall.How to Change the Windows Firewall Notification Settings in Windows 7 - also see the related articlessection at the just before the reply section.How to Manage Windows 7 Firewall.How to Use Windows Firewall With Advanced Security in Vista (also Windows 7)What's new in the Windows 7 Firewall?AVG has been causing or aggravating a lot of issues lately. Unfortunately it seems to havejoined the ranks of the over-bloated with compatibility problems.If you want to uninstall AVG then Uninstall it and run the AVG Removal Tool to prevent troublecausing remnants from being left behind.

Below are recommendations to use in place.AVG Removal ToolsList of anti-malware program cleanup/uninstall tools-Here is what I use and recommend: (These are all Free versions and very effective.)Avast and Prevx have proven extremely reliable and compatible with everything I havethrown at them. Microsoft Security Essentials and Prevx have also proven to be veryreliable and compatible.