Best free firewall?

[Chromatinfish 123]

I most connect at home, but also at school. Of coure I have network discovery turned off there. I don't connect on really WiFi networks very often.

If that's the case, Windows Firewall should be just fine. When I go on a trip (like Washington D.C. last summer), I just install a VPN to ensure safety at public Wifi at airports.

 

[david8]

If that's the case, Windows Firewall should be just fine. When I go on a trip (like Washington D.C. last summer), I just install a VPN to ensure safety at public Wifi at airports.

I have ZenMate in Firefox

 

[Bill7]

comodo firewall or private firewall for me xD

 

[MikeV]

Can i ask you WHY are you looking for a 3rd party firewall?
What makes you believe that you'll be more secure with a 3rd party firewall?
What are your browsing and download habits? (porn, crack/keygen sites, torrents)
I have a reason to ask so please answer to all 3 questions.

Thank you.

 

[Azure]

I have ZenMate in Firefox

There has been some controversy regarding Zenmate.
Namely here: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/zenmate-leaks-your-ip.359044/

The following might help you a little
go to "addon manager", then to "plugins", and change the flash plugin to "ask to activate"

However since you said you mostly connect at your home, then you don't have to worry a lot about this. The most you can do is to be careful when you type sensitive information during the times you are not at home, for example your credit card when you are online shopping

 

[hjlbx]

Hello,

While Emsisoft Online Armor is solid, it has HIPS...which you do not need.

Comodo is a solid, highly-regarded free firewall, but it has both HIPS and Sandbox. If you do not know how to configure and use HIPS and Sandbox, then you will likely get very frustrated, very quickly...I know from experience. I recommend at least turning off Comodo's HIPS.

From your initial post it appears to me that HIPS probably is not right for you.

I can tell you that Emsi staff all use Emsisoft Anti-Malware + Windows Firewall. So what does that tell you? Some Emsi staff add WinPatrol or EMET, but that has nothing to do with the firewall directly.

I can also tell you that the Windows Firewall is good, but there is a little bit of a learning curve...open it from within WIndows Action Center and you will see many apps in the list...many more than you would imagine so you might be taken aback by the amount of network communications your system regularly makes!

You might want to check out TinyWall...which simply adds a GUI control to Windows Firewall. This will serve you well, but it does require quite a bit of manual configuration...which requires more knowledge than an typical user.

TinyWall...extremely light at the expense of manual configuration (initially it blocks all network activity...so you do need to know what is needed for your system to operate).

I am not an advocate of TinyWall's policy of no pop-ups as, to me, that is of no real help and will likely cause problems.

Just some suggestions...

I use Emsisoft Internet Security behind a NAT/Cable/DSL router. Consequently, I really do not need a firewall. However, since I beta test I use the firewall detail alerts to monitor network traffic - particularly outbound connects of malwares. So, for me, it's nothing more than a convenience as opposed to an absolute necessity.

The one nice thing about Comodo firewall is that it will throw up a nice big alert when you connect to Untrusted Networks (Public Wifi) depending on your settings.

 

[hjlbx]

Hello,

You are using BitDefender Free...there have been incompatibility problems between BD Free and Comodo firewall !

 

[Dima007]

Comodo.

 

[Janl92l]

Do not use Online Armor. its long time outdated. Better use a Product thats still being active deloved like private firewall or comodo firewall.

 

[Piteko21]

comodo firewall, private firewall or the basic windows firewall

 

[jamescv7]

Regarding in firewall, there are numerous stuffs to consider on.

1) Experience, if you are just a casual user then highly recommended to stay up with the built in firewall or install tiny tool like Glasswire (https://www.glasswire.com/) and others mentioned post to complement.

You may also try Zonealarm Free from their pure firewall.

2) Maintainability, if you are considering like Comodo, Onlne Armor, Privatefirewall or others; make sure to double check them from configuration and protection like HIPS, BB or Sandbox especially ruleset.

3) Performance from system, RAM should not be a problem if you have decent compiter specifications then it can very well on a system.

 

[mercurial]

If you are using Windows 8.1 you are good with the default Windows Firewall, if you want some application controller then in that case you can add some firewall addons for it.

 

[Solarlynx]

Windows inbuilt FW is ok but If you want outbound control then use a third-party FW.

It's a good idea to start with Online Armor. OA free offers robust protection and popups mostly only if you install new prog. Its development is slowed down but anyway they keep its regular updates.

Comodo is a good choice as well. It's for those who likes to tune progs like me.

Unfortunately the latest version of Private Firewall is of 17 Dec 2013. So I would not recommend it.

 

[Anupam]

Windows Firewall + Galsswire .
No compatibility issues, full protection.

 

[Raul90]

Well my preferred free firewalls have always been Comodo, OA and Privatefirewall. Though they grew on me as I used it. Actually learned using the three by asking questions . Might wanna check out the links on some tips on how to set it up. The guys here will be glad to help you out when you encounter issues.

Comodo firewall
http://malwaretips.com/threads/guide-on-how-to-install-and-configure-comodo-firewall.608/
http://malwaretips.com/threads/how-...sites-or-ads-with-comodo-v7-web-filter.23741/

Privatefirewall
http://www.privacyware.com/personal_firewall.html
http://malwaretips.com/threads/private-firewall-7-need-help.17186/

Online Armor Free version
https://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/oa/
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/smb-security/articles/125536.aspx
http://umbra-polaris.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-online-armor-free-v6.html


You can use the built-in Windows firewall then add VT antiexecutable.
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/thre...ith-advanced-security-guide-for-vista.239750/
http://blink.ucsd.edu/technology/security/firewall/windows7.html
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/windows-7-set-up-an-inbound-exception-in-windows-f.html
http://malwaretips.com/threads/novirusthanks-exe-radar-pro-turns-freeware.40771/

In the end the best way is to try it out and see what's keen on your liking without the sacrifice on protection. Goodluck

 

[david8]

I mostly vistit trusted sites. But I'm always browsing with Ghotery and uBlock. I just want to try something new (and be safer)
What about Comodo secure DNS? Should I use it? Am I using my ISP's DNS now?

 

[hjlbx]

Hello david8,

If you are using a cable/DSL modem, then it is likely that your DNS server address is 192.168.1.2. If not, then it is likely that the DNS is fed from upstream automatically...but that all depends on how your IP is/was set-up.

You can verify your DNS easily by Run cmd.exe, in the window type ipconfig /all (space between g and /), then hit enter.

You should find a line item "DNS Servers...."

By the way, if you're using ("behind") any type of cable/DSL/NAT router, it enforces a minimum level of protection in that it monitors packets and only allows those that are initiated by your system. In other words, most importantly, it will only allow in-bound packets that are in response to a connection initiated by your system. So, in some respects, a firewall will be superfluous (not necessary).

That's OK though...as I use a NAT router and insist on using a firewall behind it so that I can be alerted when an app makes an outbound connection. It's a smart security measure in its own right as a malicious program can initiate an outbound connection, but an ordinary NAT router doesn't know that its malicious. So since the connection was initiated by your system, the NAT router is going to allow any in-bound packets...which can be really Bad News!

If you use Comodo secure DNS, then you will be quickly disappointed.

I think many users instead choose Norton's secure DNS. I, myself, do not bother with it, but that is solely my choice. A secure DNS theoretically is supposed to add a solid additional layer of protection. From what I see, Web-Of-Trust (WOR) or an equivalent web filter does essentially the same, or better.

Even the built-in Internet Explorer smart screen does a better job than Comodo secure DNS. The same applies to the Chrome and FireFox web filters.

 

[jamescv7]

I mostly vistit trusted sites. But I'm always browsing with Ghotery and uBlock. I just want to try something new (and be safer)
What about Comodo secure DNS? Should I use it? Am I using my ISP's DNS now?

Using DNS as part of protection may become beneficial but likely you may suffer on more bit loading times as its an assigned DNS so better stay on default and use extensions for preventive measures.

 

[xinjing545853507]

I think commdo great firewall, but it requires some computer knowledge. So I use a relatively intelligent outpast. In me, there are many users choose to install only Kaspersky Enterprise Firewall or Symantec firewall, using them have a very good defense results!

 

[ifacedown]

Thank you I was asking if I need firewall. But I will still try Online Armor, as I want to get familiar with firewalls

Hello.

I have tested Online Armor before on Windows 8.1... it failed in some tests. It is excellent in Windows 7 but not in Windows 8/8.1

Better use PrivateFirewall.