Re: Free AV

From: Bigbruva (Richardh_at_dontusethis.ws)
Date: 09/27/05

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    Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 11:45:03 -0700

    Thanks Subratam this is good information, so the recommendation is more to
    do with the Anti-malware applications abilities to detect new attacks, which
    would then leave the firewall as the only line of defense to trap an new
    outgoing malware call, than it is a problem with Windows Firewall directly.
    This is just the reasoned and logical information that gets lost in the
    "Windows Firewall is cr*p" type comments I see so often.

    I also agree that it is only a matter of time before Microsoft step up to
    the mark and fix this issue in one care product, or another ;-)

    BB

    "Subratam" <Subratam@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
    news:54E2B5AE-B086-4ED8-B8D8-D7622E9ED72D@microsoft.com...
    > 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?
    >> >> | > |
    >> >> | > |
    >> >> | >
    >> >> | >
    >> >> |
    >> >> |
    >> >>
    >> >>
    >> >>
    >>
    >>
    >>

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