What firewall should I get?

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ctrl+alt+del

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I need a good, affordable, personal firewall for my home PC that runs on XP. Preferrably something easy to use. I got a free one off download.com and it would prompt you when an application is trying to access the internet. You could deny or allow it and save your settings so you aren't prompted again in the future, however, I found that I had mistakenly denied access to my anti-virus software and it could no longer go out and download virus updates. The firewall had no way to let me search for applications I had denied access, so that wasn't a very good product for me. I appreciate any advice. Thank you!

c+a+d
 
I don't use any software firewall. I use a linksys hardware firewall/router. I've run the stealth shields up tests and they tell me I do not exist.

So I think I'm good. Does anyone think I am at risk?
 
Kerio is very good.

And yes you are at risk if you are using hardware firewall only, if you get infected by a virus and become a "spam bot" the hardware router will do nothing. Best combination of tools is hardware nat, antivirus software, firewall software (that warns of outgoing and incoming traffic), and spyware removal software ie. Adaware.
 
c+a+d,

What program were you using, and is it still in place now?

Very strange that you couldn't edit your block list. A user forum for your program might know the answer.

Easy fix is to uninstall your program and install a fresh copy. That way you could start the block/pass list over again and not have to hassle with something else.

Other programs like ZoneAlarm and Sygate (my firewall) function the same way as yours does, and both can have their block lists edited on the fly.
 
Zone Alarm is probably the best software personal firewall out there, but it does take a little work. It's not a transparent firewall that you can install and forget about. On the other hand, it offers outstanding protection. ZA filters outbound as well as inbound traffic, and with the highest security setting, a trojan, network transmitted virus or spyware can really only do its dirty work with explicit permission from you. It's a good choice for a personal firewall.

I can't remember off-hand how to edit the block list, but you should find out how to with enough poking around.

The firewall that is packaged with Windows XP SP2 is a decent choice for an invisible firewall that you can, for the most part, completely forget about. A hardware firewall on a router is a good choice too. As long as this is a personal or very small network firewall, I'd go one of those three choices.
 
(mostly quoted from the ZA manual)------------------------------Using the programs list:

The programs list contains a list of programs that have tried to access the Internet or the local network and tells you which Zone the program is in, whether the program can act as a server, and whether the program can send e-mail. The programs list is organized in alphabetical order. You can sort the programs in the list by any column by clicking on program that requests network access and adds it to the programs list.

To access the programs list: Select Program Control > Programs.

The Access, Server, and send mail columns indicate whether a specific program is allowed to access the Internet, act as a server, and send e-mail. Refer to the table below for a description the symbols used in this list.

Symbol Meaning:

Green Check Mark - The program is allowed access/server rights. To change the permission, click the icon and choose either Block or Ask.

Blue Question mark - Zone Labs security software will display a Program alert when the program asks for access and/or server rights. To change the permission, click the icon and choose either Block or Allow.

Red X - The program is denied access/server rights. To change the permission, click the icon and choose either Allow or Ask.

Green Dot - The program is currently active.

Gold Key - The program has pass-lock permission, meaning it can continue to access the Internet when the Internet Lock is engaged. To change the permission, click the icon and choose Normal.
 
I also use the free version of Zone Alarm and have for a couple of years. I am very satisfied with it.

I also have a router as a firewall and three adware catchers programs and Norton.

I rarely have problems and when I do it usually because I have done something wrong.
 
XP SP2

I can swear it has outbound blocking as I've seen the "Unblock, Block, Ask Me Later" firewall dialogue when machines are off the network. Now you've got me curious.
 
It doesn't dude. I was confused also at first because Microsoft always touted that it would filter outbound traffic. They took out that "feature" before release.

ps. Windows Firewall was introduced with SP2, so yes that is what i'm referring to.
 
Software firewalls are not reliable by design. What you need is a hardware firewall which performs Full Packet inspection.
The 3Com Secure Router is totally badass and very affordable. It can give you intrusion detection alerts by email, and or a cell phone call if you wish. You can also bouce back a sniffer packet to trace the attempted hacker. Not that it would do you any good after .000015 seconds anyway.
 
I use Trend Micro's PC-cillin. I also use Adaware and Spyware Blaster, because the spyware component on PC-cillin doesn't catch everything.

But the firewall appears to be excellent.
 
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