Firewall recommendations?

[gadgetman]

I've been through a few of them.

I was generally happy with Comodo but the bugs in 2.x eventually forced me to try ZoneAlarm.

I liked the interface but this caused regular 'freezes' of the entire system (for 30 - 60 seconds at a time) so I replaced it with Comodo 3.x. I experienced this on 3 separate PC's by the way so it was definitely ZA.

I couldn't Comodo 3 to work with remote desktop (despite trying ALL suggestions in the support forums) so I gave up and yesterday loaded the latest Outpost onto one of my PC's and it worked first time. This is currently on 30 day trial and I may buy the 3 PC license at the end.

Are there any other recommendations?

[TimberWolf]

AVG Internet Security worked well for me while the free trial lasted. I couldn’t see how to extend the free trial without parting with cash on a regular basis though, so I’m back to basic Zone Alarm now.

[Moscow Mule]

If this is for your home pc, why bother? You can set your router to block nasties...

[TheFaQQer]

If this is for your home pc, why bother? You can set your router to block nasties...

That's what I rely on mainly, since there aren't many / any free ones I could find that run on 64-bit XP Pro.

[Ardesco]

TBH I just use my router and the windows firewall, the windows firewall is actually quite a good little program if you configure it properly.

[gadgetman]

Because that doesn't block outgoing trojans and phone-home apps?

If this is for your home pc, why bother? You can set your router to block nasties...

[gadgetman]

As above, only works one way (incoming).

TBH I just use my router and the windows firewall, the windows firewall is actually quite a good little program if you configure it properly.

[TheFaQQer]

Because that doesn't block outgoing trojans and phone-home apps?

Won't a virus checker catch the trojans?

Phone home only applies if you have a modem connected to a phone line, doesn't it??

[Ardesco]

Because that doesn't block outgoing trojans and phone-home apps?

The Vista one does and I'm using Vista on all of my machines now. I also have Kaspersky AVP to catch virus' and trojans. It also blocks connections it thinks are suspicious.

You should be regularly scanning your system for dodgy stuff anyway, and also scanning all files you put on it to stop the virus'/trojans before they get as far as your machine anyway.

[gadgetman]

By phone home I mean apps that contact 'home' without your explicit knowledge or agreement (with or without malicious intent).

True AV does detect most trojans but not all. Also my kids use the PC so I'd like as much protection as possible.

Won't a virus checker catch the trojans?

Phone home only applies if you have a modem connected to a phone line, doesn't it??