Re: Free AV

From: Subratam (Subratam_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 09/25/05 

Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2005 19:07:01 -0700

Hi Bigbruva :) ,

Windows Firewall does not restrict outgoing traffic from your computer or
restrict applications from using your Internet connection. This means that if
you have a virus , Windows Firewall will allow your applications to send data
to the Internet without your permission.
To rely completely on the SP2 firewall, you'd need to be absolutely certain
that your computer harbors no intruders already—no unknown programs
downloaded earlier that might be dialing out, no viruses, worms or Trojans.
In that case, blocking inbound traffic would be enough. The problem is that
spyware is developing faster than any one program can catch it. So the
chances of starting with and maintaining an absolutely intruder-free computer
are not very great.
The best firewalls not only block incoming traffic, but monitor Internet
activity initiated from your computer as well. This enables them to catch
intruders that have been planted in your computer, trying to pass personal
information and files to a Web site. This provides an extra margin of safety .
Saying that , Microsoft already been aware of it and they are not sitting
quietly.

Regards 

-- 
Microsoft MVP Windows-Security 2005 
"Bigbruva" wrote:
> 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?
> >> | > |
> >> | > |
> >> | >
> >> | >
> >> |
> >> |
> >>
> >>
> >> 
> 
> 
>