Is a firewall needed with Vista

Question

Afer reading the suggestions from a few forum members, I decided to remove my Norton Internet Security and go back to one of the free antivirus programs (Avira Antivir).  The NIS came with my machine, that's the only reason I was using it.   Along with Avira, I also downloaded and installed a free PC Tools firewall.    With Vista, is a firewall necessary?  Is the Vista firewall good enough?   Thanks

supa_gus · Answer

G'day.

Well after living through Microsoft's continued blunders on security issues with its operating systems i personally wouldn't trust a Windows Firewall at all.

I guess everyone's p.o.v. on this is going to be different, but in reality it is never going to be as good as a specialised firewall from an internet security company.

There are quite a few good, free ones out there - ZoneLabs is probably one of the best.

To put it in perspective, windows does not update its firewall against holes and attacks even on a two daily basis - most paid for and even some free firewalls update at least once a day.

I have ZoneLabs Internet Security Suite 7 on vista, and it seems to be really good - it's definately not a system hog, has fantastic anti-virus protection thanks to Kapersky. Its firewall is top notch and it has good program controls.

Its also fairly inexpensive - a 1 year subscription for 1 computer costs about $60 Australian Dollars - you can get two year sub for $100 aussie - i am sure the price will be similarly good value where you live.

Thanks

mombodog · Answer

Believe it or not Vista's firewall is a good one, test it yourself.   https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2   Click 'Proceed', then 'All Service Ports'   Why add to the software Bloat, when what you have works just fine.     Most PC security breaches require user interaction to make them happen, like opening email attachments from strangers, installing unknown software, ect, this is how 98% of PC problems start. The other 1.999% are unpatched versions of Windows (people do not do their Windows updates), the other .0001% are when some one has 'direct' (sitting at the keyboard) access to your PC to install something bad.

gdwrnch3 · Answer

Unable to connect with NetBIOS to your computer. All attempts to get any information from your computer have FAILED. (This is very uncommon for a Windows networking-based PC.) Relative to vulnerabilities from Windows networking, this computer appears to be VERY SECURE since it is NOT exposing ANY of its internal NetBIOS networking protocol over the Internet.

gdwrnch3 · Answer

Mombodog,                I just tried your tests, and this bad boy is solid!!! I use windows firewall, and Avast free. After those tests, I'm REALLY impressed. Thanks

mombodog · Answer

gdwrnch3 wrote:

Mombodog,

I just tried your tests, and this bad boy is solid!!!

I use windows firewall, and Avast free. After those tests, I'm REALLY impressed.

Thanks

Do some more reading on that site, very interesting stuff.

You are welcome.

jmwills · Answer

The biggest threat to a firewall? (go look in the mirror)

gdwrnch3 · Answer

I agree with that jm

Windows General

Is a firewall needed with Vista

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