Firewall Reccomendations?

Sleepy

First off, if this is the wrong forum for this I'm sorry, I've read the charters on here, security, Nets/Comms etc. and this seems to be the most apropriate place for this question to me. If not, I apologise and await my kicking to the kerb...

I recently put together a machine for my elderly aunt. She knows the absolute basics of how to use a computer (playing games, writing word documents etc.) so I need something extremely user-friendly (preferably something that will run and work undetected to the user).

I've been looking at some of the freeware firewalls, Outpost Firewall PRO, ZoneAlarm and Prevx Home 2.0 etc and I'm wondering if anyone out there has experience of these and could recommend which one(s) to download and install?

raphaelS

Sleepy wrote:

I recently put together a machine for my elderly aunt. She knows the absolute basics of how to use a computer (playing games, writing word documents etc.) so I need something extremely user-friendly (preferably something that will run and work undetected to the user).

Did you install Windows XP? Then the security feature of the latest service pack is very user friendly. The firewall does it job and there also a tool that will tell you if your anti virus def. is out of date (it works with most of the anti-virus).

Raphael

Static M.e.

I used ZoneAlarm for my parents place, its very user-friendly and is a good firewall to boot, maintains itself too so save's you relying on your Aunty to keep it upto date.

Sherifu

Ive used zone alarm, symantecs f/w, and the windows ICF
Zone Alarm is probably the best for features and user friendliness
If ya want a basic one the windows ICF is ok, it only blocks incoming connections though.

Sleepy

Sorry, should have specified. The machine is running Win 2k SP4 and I have Norten AV on it at present (just downloaded the latest AVG build to tighten it up).

So Zone Alarm is the way to go then?

Random

You're not running 2 AV scanners at the same time are you? (Norton and AVG).. that can cause more problems then it solves. Pick one and stick to it imo.


As for the firewall, I've had no trouble with Sygate personal firewall (free edition) myself. It's pretty straight forward to use, especially for program control etc.

hefty_langer

I'd recommend Kerio Presonal firewall, No matter what firewall you choose, it might be worth you sitting at her PC for a few hours and "teaching" the firewall (i.e creating rules to permit/deny apps from accessing the web)
I know that last time I setup a firewall for someone I got a call every time one of the pop-ups asked to permit an app access out (i.e MSN messenger/NAV updater etc) VERY ANNOYING!

Megatron

ciaranfo wrote:

As for the firewall, I've had no trouble with Sygate personal firewall (free edition) myself. It's pretty straight forward to use, especially for program control etc.

yeah i used that for a good while, but now i use Sygate personal firewall 5.5 ... it's really good. always uptodate and i find it a doddle to use . does take a while to teach it what to allow and stuff, but well worth it in the end.

Sleepy

ciaranfo wrote:

You're not running 2 AV scanners at the same time are you? (Norton and AVG).. that can cause more problems then it solves. Pick one and stick to it imo.


As for the firewall, I've had no trouble with Sygate personal firewall (free edition) myself. It's pretty straight forward to use, especially for program control etc.

God no, just trust AVG more than Norton, I'll be removing Norton when I'm out there next.

It shouldn't take long to "teach" the firewall, the only things accessing the net will be IE, Outlook Express, AVG and Adaware.

Thanks for the tips guys!