What firewall is better to install?

willmiller · **on:** January 22, 2007, 09:24:47 PM

I have the firewall that came with my windows xp. I want a better one. What is a VERY good firewall i can download and use for free that dosen't slow down my computer?

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:50:34 PM

I have heard that Tiny Firewall is pretty good, but I don't use it myself. You can probably get it from www.downloads.com or www.zdnet.com.

Def

mcniac · **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2007, 10:02:00 PM

Use Linux,
Linux Rules!
Windows drools!

Pacu · **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2007, 11:34:55 PM

For free the Windows version is the way to go....IMO. If you can "get" a copy use Zone alarms firewall. I think you can get a free copy online. May not do updates though...which are important.

NutSAK · **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2007, 11:56:47 PM

I used to recommend Zonealarm, but no longer. It has not been passing recent leak tests.

I've had good luck with the built-in Windows firewall, but I don't use it often--only on my laptop when not at home. I have not noticed any system slowdowns caused by it. Since you are asking about third-party firewalls however, I'm assuming that you've already tried it and are ready for something else. I use a hardware firewall only (router) on my home computers.

Some others you may want to try:

Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall
Comodo firewall
Jetico Firewall
NetVeda Safety.Net firewall

Jetico and NetVeda are supposedly a bit awkward to use, but are great performers.