Is the SP2 firewall good enough or do I need Zone Alarm?

[veronica]

It is not the 30 day trail one. It is the 1 year, less features, trail part. I am on cable.
Thank you :)

[egghead]

sp2 only prevents inbound connections.

Programs are still free to transmit your info to the internet.

yep zonealarm free helps

www.zonelabs.com

[lynchknot]

I don't know about zone alarm though. I would go with kerio, looknstop, or outpost

[cash_site]

SP2 firewall is good enough, however if you are prone to getting spyware and use IE or visit 'corrupt' website with installers, then an additional firewall is Ideal...

I have the EzArmour Firewall and AV with the 1 year trial, it works well enough with no complaints. Something for nothing is always good ;)

[lynchknot]

Sorry - SP2 firewall is NOT good enough (http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/0,2000061744,39156392,00.htm)

Better than nothing, but not good enough (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5301625.html)

More info: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=SP2+firewall+is+not+good+enough&btnG=Search

[FastGame]

veronica you said "I have EZ Armour firewall" is that correct ? well that is ZoneAlarm so just use what you have.

[veronica]

veronica you said "I have EZ Armour firewall" is that correct ? well that is ZoneAlarm so just use what you have.OK. Thank you all for replying. :)

[Fenalaar]

Frankly - my advice is, if you can afford it - get a broadband router with a built-in firewall. It'll save you a lot of problems.

Johan-Kr

[lynchknot]

Here's a leaktest comparison (though there is much more to a good firewall than just leaktest performance) SP2 fails every test - http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.htm

I use a router and a software firewall.

[Curio]

There will always be a level below which leaktesters can function to 'prove' you are unprotected, and strictly speaking they test IDS not firewalls. Most modern Personal Firewalls include an IDS component.

Any comments?

[cash_site]

Leaktest test outgoing connections, SP2 Firewall doesnt protect outgoing... but you'd only have a 'leak' with virus or Spyware etc... but if all clean, and you dont get infected then ... ;)

I agree too Curio .

[MSNwar]

Test, test, and more tests! Way to go lynchy!

One thing to remember is when you do a test from a site is you are literally approving the site's test method to send and receive certain data. Not good for a test for obvious reasons. First, their test bed software is designed to work in their favor because you/I approved for specific data to pass. Not reliable at all.

Do it right and start a thread where everyone downloads and installs two or more firewalls. Then test between each other with different PC settings and connections. Then compare the results to the latest online tests with the respective sites. Where a site does not provide a online test then disregard that site. You have everything to gain and nothing to loose :)

Jeff

[Conan]

Here's a leaktest comparison (though there is much more to a good firewall than just leaktest performance) SP2 fails every test - http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.htm

I use a router and a software firewall.

Using the Java tester stopped Firefox from functioning. Had to do a reboot to get things working again.

[Curio]

I am struggling to think of something less useful than a leaktester.
Nope, maybe ....but naah.
They could write a program that pretends to be a NAV update and installs empty sig files, proving NAV doesn't detect virii - that might be even more pointless.
This is a difficult concept for people but running a file on your system can always do stuff - what if a leaktester installed HackerDefender Rootkit and used that or another service to hide the processes from the detection software? What if a leak tester modified the stack so it operated outside the firewall? What if your leak tester is specifically written to exploit a known weakness in one or other firewalls, you are allowing it to run to do it? (hopefully not something you would do with a Trojan) Like I said there is always a level below which it can go, don't waste your time.