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 Graphicool1

Tue, 03/11/09@10:43

Hi
A friend needs a free firewall for a Vista laptop. I use Ashampoo, but that doesn't run on Vista. Someone recommended Comodo. But he didn't like that. It was in his face all the time, asking what it should do next. I tried that once and couldn't stand either.

Anyone have any others to suggest, ones you use and believe to be good?

 RobTheOrganGuru

Tue, 03/11/09@11:00

Well Comodo is the best one as far as I'm concerend when used correctly.

 mimosa418

Tue, 03/11/09@11:01

Why not use the Vista built in firewall. It is perfectly adequate.

 Graphicool1

Tue, 03/11/09@11:14

mimosa418

If that is what you use and you believe it's doing it's job? Then go to 'SHIELDS UP' click here run the tests and see how happy you are then!
As I said, I use Ashampoo my system score at SHIELDS UP is as always 100% STEALTH MODE in every test.

RobTheOrganGuru
Thanks for your recommendation and the addendum

 Graphicool1

Tue, 03/11/09@15:01

Anyone else?

The queue starts here.

 alan14

Tue, 03/11/09@16:08

The free version of Zone Alarm is pretty good, always shows full stealth on GRC Shields Up.

 Graphicool1

Tue, 03/11/09@16:19

alan14

Thanks for that, sounds good.

 johnem

Tue, 03/11/09@16:27

Have not tried Sunbelt Firewall on Vista but it works well on XP. It is free click here
Although it is free for 30 days, you can continue to use it after that time.

 Graphicool1

Tue, 03/11/09@16:40

johnem

Thanks for the heads up on that. No Shields-Up info though?

 Bob The Blob

Tue, 03/11/09@17:51

Vista's built in firewall is perfectly fine. Two and a half years and not a single problem here. You are being overly cautious.

 rdave13

Tue, 03/11/09@18:06

Vista's own firewall with firewall controller (free version); click here

 mooly

Tue, 03/11/09@18:17

Vista's own firewall and using Shields up always report perfect 100% stealth rating for me.

Vista's Firewall is configurable (if anyone feels the need), type wf.msc into the run box.

Everyone seems to dislike Vista's firewall. Why ?

 Graphicool1

Tue, 03/11/09@18:28

Bob The Blob

"You are being overly cautious"!
I don't think that's possible where PC's on the Internet are concerned. I personally am a freeware junkie, I am forever downloading, installing and uninstalling, as such I have to be hyper carefull in my security.
However, this particular firewall isn't for me. But the guy it is for is a student. His laptop was already wiped out once this year, I'm trying to keep it from being twice!

Have you or rdave13 checked your security at click here

 smackheadz

Tue, 03/11/09@18:35

i used to test the vista firewall at shields up and it always came back as 100% stealth :o)

 Graphicool1

Tue, 03/11/09@18:36

mooly

I'll pass what you say on to him. Perhaps he hasn't configured it correctly. When he ran the Shields Up test he sent me a copy of the result. It was absolutely abysmal. It had even left Port 80 wide open for hackers!

I'll post the outcome.

 rdave13

Tue, 03/11/09@18:47

100% stealth.

 VoG™

Tue, 03/11/09@19:16

It helps to have Port 80 open if you wish to connect to the internet :o)

 Graphicool1

Wed, 04/11/09@12:10

mooly - rdave13 - smackheadz

I asked him if he had configured it, I've just received an email from him. I think we all know the answer...

"I didn't know you had to? I found out this earlier today and I'm trying to make sense of it - to be honest I don't understand bits of it but I'm going to try and learn about it - if I'm still scratching my head I'll drop you an email"

From me, on his behalf sorry to have doubted you guy's. I thought he knew that everything has to be configured and or tweaked. He's been helping his sister with her new laptop. I guess I'll be getting a call from her soon too!

 mooly

Wed, 04/11/09@12:30

Graphicool1

As I say, Vista's firewall IS configurable but do you need too ?

For 99.9% of users (me) the default settings are fine and give the 100% stealth rating on Shields Up.

More here,
click here

 Graphicool1

Thu, 05/11/09@16:20

mooly

Well if it isn't that then I'm at a loss as to what is causing his bad results. Apart from the firewall his protection is the same as mine and configured the same. Or at least was! When he too was getting 100% Full Stealth results. I think I'm smelling something fishy.
Before I thought his problem might be to do with his firewall. He emailled with a copy of his Stealth Results. I told him I get 100% every time and he responded with the following...

"If I was to run in stealth mode, would it work for what I want to use my laptop for i.e going on website's, buying tickets for concerts, online banking etc. Also I've read that stealth mode slows down your laptop and reduces brightness - is that true?"

I am now wondering if perhaps he has changed the settings on his security programmes,or something similar?

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