Guest _Who Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. Just continued after Windows option appeared. Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the Windows product is just as good. What do you think? Thanks
Guest Thee Chicago Wolf Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good >I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. >Just continued after Windows option appeared. >Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the Windows >product is just as good. > >What do you think? > >Thanks I've not used a 3rd party firewall since SP2 was released and to this day have not had anything come in or go out. I just the built-in firewall. ZoneAlarm used to give decent details when I used it eons ago but I'm told it's not so good anymore. You're going to get a dozen or so responses stating a hardware firewall now. Just watch. ;-) - Thee Chicago Wolf
Guest smlunatick Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good On Sep 11, 3:19 pm, Thee Chicago Wolf <.@.> wrote: > >I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > >Just continued after Windows option appeared. > >Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the Windows > >product is just as good. > > >What do you think? > > >Thanks > > I've not used a 3rd party firewall since SP2 was released and to this > day have not had anything come in or go out. I just the built-in > firewall. ZoneAlarm used to give decent details when I used it eons > ago but I'm told it's not so good anymore. > > You're going to get a dozen or so responses stating a hardware > firewall now. Just watch. ;-) > > - Thee Chicago Wolf Hardware firewall is the most secure method of firewalling any network. But at thousands of $$ for most firewall hardware that is not NAT based, this is not worth it for small home networks. Windows XP SP2 firewall will only provide incoming protection. Third party software firewall line Zone Alarm will also control outgoing applications.
Guest Kayman Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good On Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:06:34 -0400, _Who wrote: > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the Windows > product is just as good. > What do you think? For the average homeuser, the Windows Firewall in XP does a fantastic job at its core mission and is really all you need if you have an 'real-time' anti-virus program, [another firewall on your router or] other edge protection like SeconfigXP and practise safe-hex. The windows firewall deals with inbound protection and therefore does not give you a false sense of security. Best of all, it doesn't implement lots of nonsense like pretending that outbound traffic needs to be monitored. Activate and utilize the Win XP built-in Firewall; Uncheck *all* Programs and Services under the Exception tab. Windows XP: How to turn on your firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/firewall/xp.mspx Read through: Understanding Windows Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfintro.mspx Using Windows Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/winfirewall.mspx Deconstructing Common Security Myths. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2006/05/SecurityMyths/default.aspx Scroll down to: "Myth: Host-Based Firewalls Must Filter Outbound Traffic to be Safe." Exploring the windows Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2007/06/VistaFirewall/default.aspx "Outbound protection is security theater¡Xit¡¦s a gimmick that only gives the impression of improving your security without doing anything that actually does improve your security." In conjunction with WinXP SP2 Firewall use: Seconfig XP 1.0 http://seconfig.sytes.net/ Seconfig XP is able configure Windows not to use TCP/IP as transport protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC, thus leaving TCP/UDP ports 135, 137-139 and 445 (the most exploited Windows networking weak point) closed.
Guest Unknown Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good I agree completely with Thee Chicago Wolf. And, as far as smlunatick comment goes, you don't have to check what goes out if nothing gets in. "_Who" <CalWhoNOSPAN@roadrunner.com> wrote in message news:%23DnqZeBFJHA.4104@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the > Windows product is just as good. > > What do you think? > > Thanks >
Guest John John (MVP) Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good Zone Alarm is the last thing that I would ever want installed on any of my computers. The Windows firewall is fine and while I am not averse to using third party firewalls Zone Alarm is not one of the ones I would ever use or want on my computer. John _Who wrote: > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the Windows > product is just as good. > > What do you think? > > Thanks > >
Guest jusme Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good I use free ZoneAlarm on my laptop. It works ok. I put it on to try it out and then I was going to try a different one so I tried to take it off and I couldn't get rid of it. I searched and found all kinds of information about getting it off and nothing worked. So I reinstalled it to put it back working and I haven't messed with it for several months. I will try again someday. My daughter has a laptop that she never takes anywhere and I just left the windows one to work and it works fine. "_Who" <CalWhoNOSPAN@roadrunner.com> wrote in message news:%23DnqZeBFJHA.4104@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the > Windows product is just as good. > > What do you think? > > Thanks >
Guest smlunatick Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good On Sep 11, 4:23 pm, "Unknown" <unkn...@unknown.kom> wrote: > I agree completely with Thee Chicago Wolf. And, as far as smlunatick > comment goes, you don't have to check what goes out if nothing gets in."_Who" <CalWhoNOS...@roadrunner.com> wrote in message > > news:%23DnqZeBFJHA.4104@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > > > > > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the > > Windows product is just as good. > > > What do you think? > > > Thanks Things do get it. I found "spywares" that come in, "hidden" to the user.
Guest Unknown Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good You will eventually find that any program scanning outgoing mail/messages only cause problems. "smlunatick" <yveslec@gmail.com> wrote in message news:6aea3ef0-cf7a-4f20-9c61-0454c253993c@f63g2000hsf.googlegroups.com... On Sep 11, 4:23 pm, "Unknown" <unkn...@unknown.kom> wrote: > I agree completely with Thee Chicago Wolf. And, as far as smlunatick > comment goes, you don't have to check what goes out if nothing gets > in."_Who" <CalWhoNOS...@roadrunner.com> wrote in message > > news:%23DnqZeBFJHA.4104@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > > > > > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the > > Windows product is just as good. > > > What do you think? > > > Thanks Things do get it. I found "spywares" that come in, "hidden" to the user.
Guest Thee Chicago Wolf Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good >Things do get it. I found "spywares" that come in, "hidden" to the >user. Yes, those things do get in but no firewall in the world is a replacement for anti-virus and anti-malware protection as a supplimental. - Thee Chicago Wolf
Guest _Who Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good I'd like to thank each of you for the help. Thanks "_Who" <CalWhoNOSPAN@roadrunner.com> wrote in message news:%23DnqZeBFJHA.4104@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the > Windows product is just as good. > > What do you think? > > Thanks >
Guest MowGreen [MVP] Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good Performing a Clean Uninstall of ZA http://zonealarm.donhoover.net/uninstall.html MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008] =============== *-343-* FDNY Never Forgotten =============== jusme wrote: > I use free ZoneAlarm on my laptop. It works ok. I put it on to try it out > and then I was going to try a different one so I tried to take it off and I > couldn't get rid of it. I searched and found all kinds of information about > getting it off and nothing worked. So I reinstalled it to put it back > working and I haven't messed with it for several months. I will try again > someday. > My daughter has a laptop that she never takes anywhere and I just left the > windows one to work and it works fine. > > > > "_Who" <CalWhoNOSPAN@roadrunner.com> wrote in message > news:%23DnqZeBFJHA.4104@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > >>I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. >>Just continued after Windows option appeared. >>Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the >>Windows product is just as good. >> >>What do you think? >> >>Thanks >> > > >
Guest bobster Posted September 11, 2008 Posted September 11, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good John John I have used ZA free for many years and haven't had any problems with it other than it being rather intrusive. I recently switched over to the Windows firewall and it tests out clean on Steve Gibson's "Shields Up" site so I intend to keep using it. Out of curiosity, why do you feel so strongly against ZA since it seems to me to work fine? =================================================== "John John (MVP)" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message news:ObH$uRCFJHA.3840@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... Zone Alarm is the last thing that I would ever want installed on any of my computers. The Windows firewall is fine and while I am not averse to using third party firewalls Zone Alarm is not one of the ones I would ever use or want on my computer. John _Who wrote: > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the > Windows > product is just as good. > > What do you think? > > Thanks > >
Guest John John (MVP) Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good IMHO it's nothing but a bloated bag of bugs, the newsgroups have always been full of posts about problems caused by this product. John bobster wrote: > John John > > I have used ZA free for many years and haven't had any problems with it > other than it being rather intrusive. I recently switched over to the > Windows firewall and it tests out clean on Steve Gibson's "Shields Up" site > so I intend to keep using it. > > Out of curiosity, why do you feel so strongly against ZA since it seems to > me to work fine? > > =================================================== > "John John (MVP)" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message > news:ObH$uRCFJHA.3840@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > Zone Alarm is the last thing that I would ever want installed on any of > my computers. The Windows firewall is fine and while I am not averse to > using third party firewalls Zone Alarm is not one of the ones I would > ever use or want on my computer. > > John > > _Who wrote: > > >>I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. >>Just continued after Windows option appeared. >>Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the >>Windows >>product is just as good. >> >>What do you think? >> >>Thanks >> >> > > >
Guest jusme Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good Thank you, I will try it again. "MowGreen [MVP]" <mowgreen@nowandzen.com> wrote in message news:eIltNmDFJHA.1460@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > Performing a Clean Uninstall of ZA > http://zonealarm.donhoover.net/uninstall.html > > > MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008] > =============== > *-343-* FDNY > Never Forgotten > =============== > > > jusme wrote: > >> I use free ZoneAlarm on my laptop. It works ok. I put it on to try it >> out and then I was going to try a different one so I tried to take it off >> and I couldn't get rid of it. I searched and found all kinds of >> information about getting it off and nothing worked. So I reinstalled it >> to put it back working and I haven't messed with it for several months. I >> will try again someday. >> My daughter has a laptop that she never takes anywhere and I just left >> the windows one to work and it works fine. >> >> >> >> "_Who" <CalWhoNOSPAN@roadrunner.com> wrote in message >> news:%23DnqZeBFJHA.4104@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> >>>I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. >>>Just continued after Windows option appeared. >>>Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the >>>Windows product is just as good. >>> >>>What do you think? >>> >>>Thanks >>> >> >>
Guest Bruce Chambers Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is justas good _Who wrote: > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the Windows > product is just as good. > > What do you think? > > Thanks > > WinXP's built-in firewall is usually adequate at stopping incoming attacks, and hiding your ports from probes. What WinXP SP2's firewall does not do, is protect you from any Trojans or spyware that you (or someone else using your computer) might download and install inadvertently. It doesn't monitor out-going traffic at all, other than to check for IP-spoofing, much less block (or at even ask you about) the bad or the questionable out-going signals. It assumes that any application you have on your hard drive is there because you want it there, and therefore has your "permission" to access the Internet. Further, because the Windows Firewall is a "stateful" firewall, it will also assume that any incoming traffic that's a direct response to a Trojan's or spyware's out-going signal is also authorized. ZoneAlarm, Kerio, or Sygate are all much better than WinXP's built-in firewall, and are much more easily configured, and there are free versions of each readily available. Even the commercially available Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall is superior by far, although it does take a heavier toll of system performance then do ZoneAlarm or Sygate. Having said that, it's important to remember that firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used and should always be running, while important components of "safe hex," cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers. ~ Denis Diderot
Guest _Who Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good I was wondering what scanning outgoing meant. Thanks for the complete reply. "Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message news:OqrvtfPFJHA.224@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > _Who wrote: >> I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. >> Just continued after Windows option appeared. >> Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the >> Windows product is just as good. >> >> What do you think? >> >> Thanks > > > WinXP's built-in firewall is usually adequate at stopping incoming > attacks, and hiding your ports from probes. What WinXP SP2's firewall > does not do, is protect you from any Trojans or spyware that you (or > someone else using your computer) might download and install > inadvertently. It doesn't monitor out-going traffic at all, other than to > check for IP-spoofing, much less block (or at even ask you about) the bad > or the questionable out-going signals. It assumes that any application > you have on your hard drive is there because you want it there, and > therefore has your "permission" to access the Internet. Further, because > the Windows Firewall is a "stateful" firewall, it will also assume that > any incoming traffic that's a direct response to a Trojan's or spyware's > out-going signal is also authorized. > > ZoneAlarm, Kerio, or Sygate are all much better than WinXP's built-in > firewall, and are much more easily configured, and there are free versions > of each readily available. Even the commercially available Symantec's > Norton Personal Firewall is superior by far, although it does take a > heavier toll of system performance then do ZoneAlarm or Sygate. > > Having said that, it's important to remember that firewalls and > anti-virus applications, which should always be used and should always be > running, while important components of "safe hex," cannot, and should not > be expected to, protect the computer user from him/herself. Ultimately, it > is incumbent upon each and every computer user to learn how to secure > his/her own computer. > > > -- > > Bruce Chambers > > Help us help you: > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html > > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 > > They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary > safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin > > Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand > Russell > > The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has > killed a great many philosophers. > ~ Denis Diderot
Guest _Who Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good I was wondering why out-going traffic needed monitoring! Thanks for the thorough reply "Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message news:OqrvtfPFJHA.224@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... > _Who wrote: >> I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. >> Just continued after Windows option appeared. >> Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the >> Windows product is just as good. >> >> What do you think? >> >> Thanks > > > WinXP's built-in firewall is usually adequate at stopping incoming > attacks, and hiding your ports from probes. What WinXP SP2's firewall > does not do, is protect you from any Trojans or spyware that you (or > someone else using your computer) might download and install > inadvertently. It doesn't monitor out-going traffic at all, other than to > check for IP-spoofing, much less block (or at even ask you about) the bad > or the questionable out-going signals. It assumes that any application > you have on your hard drive is there because you want it there, and > therefore has your "permission" to access the Internet. Further, because > the Windows Firewall is a "stateful" firewall, it will also assume that > any incoming traffic that's a direct response to a Trojan's or spyware's > out-going signal is also authorized. > > ZoneAlarm, Kerio, or Sygate are all much better than WinXP's built-in > firewall, and are much more easily configured, and there are free versions > of each readily available. Even the commercially available Symantec's > Norton Personal Firewall is superior by far, although it does take a > heavier toll of system performance then do ZoneAlarm or Sygate. > > Having said that, it's important to remember that firewalls and > anti-virus applications, which should always be used and should always be > running, while important components of "safe hex," cannot, and should not > be expected to, protect the computer user from him/herself. Ultimately, it > is incumbent upon each and every computer user to learn how to secure > his/her own computer. > > > -- > > Bruce Chambers > > Help us help you: > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html > > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 > > They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary > safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin > > Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand > Russell > > The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has > killed a great many philosophers. > ~ Denis Diderot
Guest Twayne Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Meandering Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good Meandering Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good Bruce C said: .... > > Having said that, it's important to remember that firewalls and > anti-virus applications, which should always be used and should always > be running, while important components of "safe hex," cannot, and > should not be expected to, protect the computer user from him/herself. > Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and every computer user to learn > how to secure his/her own computer. That's an interesting paradigm. Can you imagine what would happen if the gvt critters got in there and actually protected us from ourselves like they do our daily lives in almost all other aspects? Vista, win7 et al would all suddenly look like the "old days" of internet use freedoms! Just one possibility: You'd have to license your computer, which license would include whether or not you needed reading glasses, and the computer would refuse to run unless it knew for sure that you were wearing your glasses. And then of course there would be a monitor to be sure you never took the glasses off, or traded them for non-prescription or wrong-prescription reading glasses. When you set up your OS, you would have to account for your glasses prescription in the User Account Setup and no one else would ever be able to use your access, even if they wore your glasses. After 3 violations, you would receive a license suspension and for aggravated license violation, the computer police would show up at your door and remove the offending computer until you successfully passed yet another computer licensing exam, both written and using. Followed of course, by an Internet Use License if you wanted to go back on the internet, and an E-mail Use License to allow you to send e-mails. After succeeding at that you'd get your completely wiped computer back, if you were lucky and didn't have any naked pics of anyone on it, or a pic of a pile of dog doo-doo or whatever else may have been declared as harmful to society at large. Just think of all the new industries it could create! But I digress ... and the police are at the door ...
Guest Anthony Buckland Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good "_Who" <CalWhoNOSPAN@roadrunner.com> wrote in message news:OlXsX5PFJHA.4056@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >I was wondering why out-going traffic needed monitoring! > ... Ah ... ask a woman on the pill why she wants a new male partner to use condoms. And ask why a responsible man would of course agree. Now substitute systems in this attention-grabbing metaphor.
Guest Plato Posted September 14, 2008 Posted September 14, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good _Who wrote: > > I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. > Just continued after Windows option appeared. > Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the Windows > product is just as good. I used Zonealarm for many years and was happy with it. Now, however, I personally see no real need for it. -- http://www.bootdisk.com/
Guest _Who Posted September 14, 2008 Posted September 14, 2008 Re: Any reason to use ZoneAlarm or is the Windows fire wall is just as good thanks "Plato" <|@|.|> wrote in message news:48cccdb3$2$9674$bb4e3ad8@newscene.com... > _Who wrote: >> >> I've been using ZoneAlarm since before Windows had a fire wall. >> Just continued after Windows option appeared. >> Now I'm wondering if there is any reason to use ZoneAlarm or if the >> Windows >> product is just as good. > > I used Zonealarm for many years and was happy with it. Now, however, I > personally see no real need for it. > > -- > http://www.bootdisk.com/ >
Recommended Posts