Freeware Firewalls?

05/30/2003 | TMMT

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

What processor are you running and what operating system?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Are you running Norton Utilities, Systemworks, Antivirus?

[Clara Lou]

Are you sure that it's Zone Alarm that's using all of your resources? I've never had that problem. The ZA free version is highly recommended and all I've ever used.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Windows ME on an AMD 1.1 ghz w/ 256 MB PC133 RAM, I know I need more RAM, it's coming soon, most likely a 128 or 256 MB stick from crucial when I get the chance.

And no I'm just running the freeware zone alarm, nothing else.

[Mark Felton]

Zone Alarm is excellent. Free and effective. Download Free here

[proxy_user]

For me, ZoneAlarm is using about 2 seconds of CPU per hour, and consuming 4.7M of memory, although I would imagine it's swapped out most of the time. I'm running ZA 2.6.362 - when I get a version that works well, I don't upgrade. I'm on Win2K SP3.

Maybe you're incorrectly configured? What version are you running, on what OS?

[Mark Felton]

Oh, I run Zone Alrm (free) on my old 230Mhz PII. It does NOT use resources of any noticeable amount.


I suggest your browser or some such is the problem.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

I’m pretty sure, I keep my reg clean and constantly clean up all unnecessary programs out of my startup menu. Computer usually runs around 94 to 96% free, but after installing zone alarm it’s down to around 75%.

TMMT

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Zone Alarm version 3.7.159

[tophat9000]

have you checked out the grc.com site ?

[OldCorps]

bump to read later

[Z10N157]

I love Zone Alarm and haven't had any problems. I've run it with as little as 256MB RAM just fine.

I wonder if you have a lot of spyware installed that you are not aware of that is causing your system to perform poorly?

Try cleaning it with free Adaware available at http://www.lavasoft.nu .

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Hmm!

Let's put this on the tech_Index list.

What other utility packages are you running?

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[freedom9]

I don't like anything running in the background that I don't absolutly need.
I often plug my guitar into the computer and run effect progs that are system intensive. Zone alarm and such slowed things down noticably.
I recently read that you can do with out them as long as you have your respective operating system up to date with the critical patches - - -
And you have your drives and directories disabled for file sharing.

[RadioAstronomer]

What other utility packages are you running?

I use:

Norton AV
Spyblocker
Clean Disk Security EasyCleaner
Spybot Search and Destroy
AnalogX DHCP Fix
Startup Cop
Tauscan
AnalogX Script Defender
Macromedia Flash + Shockwave
Sisoftware Sandra
RealOne
Atomic Clock Sync
3DMark2001 SE

These are the usual programs I install when building a new system.

[sourcery]

My first-line firewall is a Linux box, which is the only machine at my house that connects to the internet. All the other machines are on a private local area network, and access the internet using the Linux box as their gateway. The Linux box serves only as a gateway (using iptables and NAT,) and does nothing else. It offers no net/distributed services of any kind whatsoever. It's totally stealthed--it does not respond to any port scan. I check its integrity regularly using various security tools.

I also use Zone Alarm Pro on my Windows machines--but this is mostly to obtain control over how my Windows programs use the internet.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Hey take a look at this one:

Spy Sweeper

From Webroot . Looks to be well done and they do have a fee Subscription service for Updates otherwise seems to be Free.

Also looking at a review of

SpeedUpMyPC

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

New Powertoy from Microsoft :

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Windows XP Video Screensaver by Microsoft
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Type: Powertoy/Utility Version: 1.0 Last Update: 4/22/03 Rating: view detailed ratings # Ratings: 12 rate this plug-in # Downloads/Referrals: 9968 Availability: Freeware	Tested[?]

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[Lawgvr1955]

Zone Alarm is excellent. Free and effective

I thought I read on Zone Alarms site that the free download program wasn't for use on laptops/notebooks. Does anyone know? What is a good fire wall for laptop/notebooks?