Re: Free AV

From: Bigbruva (Richardh_at_dontusethis.ws)
Date: 09/21/05

  • Next message: Brett Jarcevic: "Re: Stinger updates" 
    Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 18:55:50 -0700

    Hi Subtratam, as you are an MVP, I am interested that you recommend
    replacing the Windows Firewall. I hear this a lot, from many sources, and
    understand the issues about its limitations when compared to a fully
    featured firewall solution. My question is, do you have any specific
    examples of attacks that have successfully bypassed an active Windows
    Firewall? (Note: 897663 doesn't count as no attack has used this)

    I don't want to start a firestorm, I am simply interested to understand why
    Windows Firewall has such a bad reputation. If you will forgive the analogy,
    it may not be a "Ferrari F40" but it is a good "BMW Mini" and, IMHO, most
    people don't need Ferrari's (especially people like my Mum and Dad ;-)

    If a user is really "interested" in PC security or is looking to share
    Internet services then I agree they should upgrade to a more featured
    product, hence the reason the "Silver Medal" solution
    (www.windowsdefender.com/silver_protection.htm) does this. However, if you
    are looking for a simple "set it, forget it" tool to improve your systems
    security with the minimum complexity, I stick by my recommendation of
    Windows Firewall, unless I have missed a security vulnerability somewhere of
    course, in which case I'll update the "Bronze Medal" solution on the site.

    Thanks in advance

    BB

    "Subratam" <Subratam@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    news:E942F0B4-780E-4BF5-BD09-EC7AAE356F8D@microsoft.com...
    > Just a few points here if I may say :) , Avast , Etrust , AVG are real
    > quality free AntiViruses of which I will also suggest to go for Avast.
    > Regarding Firewall , I dont recommend Windows firewall rather disabling it
    > and go for much better and free firewall like Sygate . Kerio is
    > discontinueing its free firewall service
    > http://forums.kerio.com/index.php?t=msg&th=7040 and most others giving
    > free
    > "trials" . Zonealarm is good ... but IMO , it uses a lot of resources .
    > Prevx
    > is a good tool to be tried out too which provides layered protection.
    >
    > Regards
    > --
    > Microsoft MVP Windows-Security 2005
    >
    >
    > "Jim Macklin" wrote:
    >
    >> ZA seems to be much easier to configure for permissions than
    >> XPs firewall, maybe that because I began using ZA years ago,
    >> before XP was released.
    >>
    >> BTW, just did an ZA update to 6.0.667.000 and noticed a
    >> problem with the popup message window. The Allow and deny
    >> buttons are aligned such that the deny button is only
    >> partially visible at the right edge of the window. This is
    >> on both my W98 and XP computer. The download was done on
    >> each computer. I have sent ZLabs a notice (w screen cap).
    >>
    >>
    >> --
    >> The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
    >> But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
    >> some support
    >> http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >> "Bigbruva" <Richardh@dontusethis.ws> wrote in message
    >> news:uj$CuPduFHA.444@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
    >> |I agree that Zone Alarm is a great product, in fact the
    >> Gold version of this
    >> | guide will use Zone Alarm Pro - once I get the time to
    >> finish the guide!
    >> |
    >> | However the aim of the Bronze setup was to make the
    >> installation and
    >> | configurations as simple as possible and, as the, Windows
    >> Firewall is part
    >> | of SP2 (which most home users will have installed) this
    >> was the easiest to
    >> | setup. For the majority of home users the Windows Firewall
    >> is sufficient
    >> | IMO, even if it's features are rather limited.
    >> |
    >> | BB
    >> |
    >> |
    >> | "Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm> wrote
    >> in message
    >> | news:%23vB2sPVuFHA.2568@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
    >> | > AVAST works well, as does As-Aware SE, but the free Zone
    >> | > Alarm firewall is more functional than the Windows
    >> firewall
    >> | > since it monitors in and outbound traffic and has a much
    >> | > easier interface.
    >> | >
    >> | >
    >> | > --
    >> | > The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
    >> | > But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
    >> | > some support
    >> | > http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
    >> | >
    >> | >
    >> | >
    >> | > "Bigbruva" <Richardh@dontusethis.ws> wrote in message
    >> | > news:OhEMB%23UuFHA.2212@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
    >> | > | Hi Catamount
    >> | > |
    >> | > | I have a step-by-step guide for a free Antivirus and
    >> | > Anti-spyware setup on
    >> | > | my site at:
    >> | > |
    >> | > | http://www.windowsdefender.com/bronze_protection.htm
    >> | > |
    >> | > | This setup uses Avast!, Ad-Aware SE Personal, and
    >> Windows
    >> | > Firewall.
    >> | > |
    >> | > | HTH
    >> | > |
    >> | > | BB
    >> | > |
    >> | > | "Catamount" <Nope@spam.no> wrote in message
    >> | > | news:%23%238n0AJuFHA.3188@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
    >> | > | >I am looking for a list of free antivirus and
    >> firewall
    >> | > software. I am
    >> | > | >trying to create a list for a project to get people
    >> who
    >> | > don't have the
    >> | > | >money for the high end AV software to still get
    >> | > protection. Anyone wanna
    >> | > | >help little-ole-me?
    >> | > |
    >> | > |
    >> | >
    >> | >
    >> |
    >> |
    >>
    >>
    >>

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