I've read in a number of places (including here) that Zone Alarm (at
least the free version) really isn't that good. Is that true?

What is good, as far as firewall software goes?

On 2004-08-27, Edw Peach <bogus_addie@yahoo.com> schrieb :
Have a look at the thread 'Best Firewall' as this has been covered somewhat
there.

Everybody has their own personal faves when it comes to firewalls and/or AV
software. You should Google for a few (maybe use your subject line?) and see
what suits *you* best.

Cordially,

Kleeb.

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'I am just going outside and may be some time.' - Lawrence Oates (1880-1912).

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 10:57:43 GMT, Kleeb
<gimpmegimp@tunguska.obvious.homelinux.org> wrote:

You should Google for a few (maybe use your subject line?) and see

Thanks. I prefer to hear from users, what they like. A lot of
information online is unreliable (not that I'd get reliable responses
from strangers online...LOL.)

In article <dq1ui09qhnrrfvkvmirln39k0a20dljtp2@4ax.com>,
Edw. Peach <bogus_addie@yahoo.com> wrote:
I use Kerio 2.1.5. It is free and very configurable. ZA was a resource hog
for me and I stopped using it over 2 years ago.
--
--
Computers are like air conditioning.
Neither one works when you open windows.

Edw. Peach <bogus_addie@yahoo.com> wrote:

I lived in Washington DC in the mid 70's where I saw a TV ad for a
martial arts studio. The owner would come on the screen and say "No
body messes with me!". Some weeks after the ad started airing he was
attacked in the parking lot outside his studio...he was beaten to a
pulp and spent 3 weeks in the hospital. The ad was pulled and future
ads did not challenge others to "test his abilities".

I have used Zone Alarm, in it's various versions, since it was first
offered in tucows.com many years ago. I have used various anti-virus
programs as well. I currently do not use an AV program (I believe the
AV companies actually write some of these virus to keep you "on the
hook"), but I still use ZA. I'm happy to say my system has never been
infected, compromised, or owned (this is not a challenge to "test"
me!!!). Although, as a test, I did get the dreaded Blue screen of
death once (back a few years) on Win98SE while using ZA...this was one
of the now well known exploites that have since been fixed with an SP.

My point is this. ZA will protect you from the occasional "ping" on
various ports (like the current 445 mess) by showing no "presents"
and, in turn, illiciting no attack. But, if the attacker is aware of
your presents (as in the test where he knew I was on-line, or if you
are providing a presents such as a web server listening on port 80 or
any other type server), the attack can be, and often is, successful
against ZA. ZA is great for stopping unwanted internet access from
programs you have on your system...for example, I NEVER allow an
installed program to register itself on-line.

So, the answer to your question may be more than just simply "which is
the best?", but, "what do I need?". In cases involving a dial-up
connection and no servers, a simple application of Zone Alarm may
suffice (show no presents, invite no attacks). Where you are using a
high-speed connection (cable, DSL...), also with no server(s), you
should have a router (for the hardware protection needed by static
IP's) as well as a s/w firewall (Zone Alarm may well be all you need
here too). If you are a business and have both a static IP address
and host a server or servers, your needs are much more pronounced than
the simple home user...and you would do better to acquire the services
of a professional to establish a secure site.

If you have further question regarding the configuration of specific
devices or products, please feel free to ask specific questions I
will defer to the experts on those subjects.

Regards,
Leroy

On 2004-08-27, Celtic Leroy <I_am__celtic_leroy__san_verbage@myhost.com> schrieb :
<snip>

Interesting point about the AV companies there. No viruses (I'm quite sure
the term isn't 'virii'), no income ? If viruses no longer existed, would
these companies become 'security specialists' overnight ? Or maybe they'd
turn their attention to the spam problem ? What if spam was eliminated
globally ? What exactly would they do then ?

Not a troll, I'm just curious !

Cordially,

Kleeb.

--
Remove the obvious gimp to email.
Registered Linux (conf)User 365031
Unregistered Windows Clicker 0x000000E3
'I am just going outside and may be some time.' - Lawrence Oates (1880-1912).

Kleeb <gimpmegimp@tunguska.obvious.homelinux.org> wrote:

Good question! Although I don't have the problem of spam either. I
use Earthlink's "Spaminator". Even if I don't munge my address, I
don't see anyones e-mail unless they are in my address book. To get
in my address book, they have to ask nice!!

Leroy

I guess I just haven't learned when posting to these groups, to write
in legalize language and try to cover all the bases I possibly can, so
as to eliminate the useless lectures (IMHO) and get down to the point.
I'm talking about my asking for THE BEST firewall. Of course, the
issue is THE BEST (in your humble opinion.) THE BEST will never be
determined. Pepsi/Coke? Marrianne/Ginger?

As I noted already, I want feedback from people, not a finger pointing
me to Google. IMHO, that is the most important feature of these
groups...the ability to talk to people. Just because something is
listed on a Google search doesn't mean it's any good. We all know
that someone could describe a product as good online and that it could
actually be malefic. Here at least, someone might point to a product,
or some information that the poster believes is true or good, and
another poster might come along, or a group even, who have had
other-than experiences with the product, the information, whatever it
was.

NO USE FOR AV SOFTWARE

That is a very interesting idea, NOT using AV at all. I have heard
others say that, both people who are computer savvy and others who
have no inkling of the inner workings of the system. I pay a premium
for my AV and actually haven't had a contaminated file alert in more
than three years. Something to think about, no doubt.

I think, though, before I drop that and invest in a router instead
(realizing, of course, that it isn't fool proof and that if a really
good hacker wants to get inside my computer, he or she will no doubt
find a way...it just boils down to me not being a worthy prize for so
much work) that I need to arm myself with more information about my
computer AND install some useful software, like something that will
notify me when changes were either made or attempted, inside my
computer. And another program to monitor the activities of software
that I download. I'm pretty safe in that regard as I don't download
"much" free software, other than the firewall I've been using, Spybot
Search & Destroy, and Ad-Aware. I don't download music. All my
software (that I've installed, at least) is legal.

REGISTERING SOFTWARE

Someone else mentioned that they never allow a program to register
itself. Interesting. I suppose when it does that, it could be
accessing certain ports and establishing more permanent links.
Probably another good idea is to reinstall the OS on a brand new
computer. I have so much crap installed, crap that I don't want, will
never use, compliments of the factory. And one program, my CD writing
program, Sonic, ALWAYS calls home every time I copy something, and I
can't find a way to turn it off. I don't really care, but find that
intrusive and annoying.

ZAF as Crap

I keep hearing/reading people say that ZAF is bad, a waste of code,
etc. I have always used it (well, for the sake of accuracy, I did try
Tiny once years ago, and another time, Sygate, the free version) and
except for having a great deal of trouble uninstalling it, have had no
other problems...of which I am aware, at least. My inclusion of that
comment in my original post was really more of a testing type
question, to see if people step forward (which they have) and said
that ZAF is adequate. I liked the idea that the Sygate allowed me to
configure ports, but I never was able to get it running smoothly, even
with the aid of some 'experts' in a Sygate forum. I had some
unresolved issues with ports 67 and 68, but a reinstallation fixed
that...and the fact that I gave that computer away, fixes it even
more. ZAF, as MANY of you know, does not allow me much control at
all, other than the most basic.

Thanks for the feedback. Besides the few opinions on firewalls, I
found a few ideas that you've posted definitely worth more thought and
investigation.

ZoneAlarm Free is as good as it gets.

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 06:26:24 -0400, Edw. Peach <bogus_addie@yahoo.com>
schrieb:

In all the time you spent writing this poast, you could have tested several
firewalls out for yourself. Instead, you choose to mock those who take time
out to help you.

'useless lectures' eh ? Why can't people like you stop waffling and actually
do some work yourself ? This isn't a support group. And you're right, you
appear to have learned very little you anal twit.

I guess the reason a lot of people (myself included) don't bother writing
reams of text to answer your oh-so-important question is that they assume as
you've not got the motivation to find out information for yourself, that you
don't warrant much more than a few links.

Coming back on here and criticising people who take time out to help for not
giving you exactly what you want is the epitome of ignorance and a shining
example of your ingrained twattery.

Oh shut up you pointless little man.

<snip waffle>

You simply aren't that important. In 'real life' or on the 'net'. I
sincerely doubt you'd have anything worth cracking into your boxes for
anyway. Test some firewalls out for yourself. Choose one that you like and
then do us all a favour and piss the fuck off.

Cordially,

Kleeb.

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 06:07:49 -0400, Edw. Peach <bogus_addie@yahoo.com>
wrote:


ZoneAlarm is good enough.
But perhaps buy a firewall along with the Avir.
(From the same software family).
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freeware Office tools & Webbuilding aid
+ the Internet Addiction Test ;-)

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 06:26:24 -0400, Edw. Peach wrote:

It really depends on what you use your computer for. I, like you, rarely
get any virus alerts. My wife, however, gets as many as 10 a day during
major virus outbreaks. She's a medical editor who works from home;
receiving 25-100 e-mails a day from many different sources.

We both use the latest version of Norton Internet Security. How does it
compare to other products? I have no idea. It's the only thing we have
ever used, but has never let us down. Why would we change? Neither of our
computers has ever been compromised by hacker or virus despite the
gazillions of virus infested attachments she receives from clients.


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Edw. Peach wrote:
ok, seeing as you're getting stroppy about it.

Firewall 1! We'll sell you one for a grand and it'll take at one or two
days consultancy to set it all up for you. That'll be a further 2 grand
(sterling)

Best in the world IMNSHO