Good Firewall/AV combo

[James]

My subscription to Norton is nearing the end and I'm reluctant to renew it. Here are a few suggestions I've come up with (all free):

- Comodo FW with Avast

- MSE 4 with Windows Firewall

- AVG free with Comodo FW

- F-Secure from my ISP (I believe it is two versions older than the current version but kept up to date with definitions)

All of the above are free. My hesitation with the Windows FW is that I've heard it's difficult to configure and I don't want difficult. I want easy to understand and easy to maintain while giving me decent protection. I am on a home network with my wife and I running Windows 7 Home Premium. We sit behind a router with a built-in hardware firewall.

I'm open to input and suggestions.

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[Antony]

Speaking about that, I just recently re-subscribed VirusBarrier. Instead of personal license (2 machines), I opted for family licenses (5 machines).

The VirusBarrier did block a few websites for me, however, I found the way a bit too annoying... very visible blocking (warming) message as well as pretty loud sound.

As for virus, I do get Windows virus time to time through junk/spam/scam emails.

As for Windows 7 virtual machines under Parallels Desktop for Mac? Well, I don't use those for online activity much hence I don't spend extra money for additional protection. The Windows 7 license was expensive enough. Just the built-in protection would be enough for me. This, once again, proves: Antony is poor.

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[James]

Indeed, you are, Antony.

I had hopes that there would be a little more input into this thread. Our little group seems to be getting smaller and smaller with every passing day.

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[DJGM]

With regards to firewalls ... the hardware firewall on my router is good enough, that I don't also need a
software firewall mithering me every so often that something's been blocked, or about to be blocked.

As for AV ... on Windows 7 or XP, Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010, which is essentially
a corporate version of Microsoft Security Essentials - same features, different name and licensing.

On Windows 8, I'm using the built in Windows Defender - same features as MSE, but different name.

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[Mandrake]

The firewall in my router, as well as the Windows Firewall are all I use on that front. The AV software I use is Microsoft Security Essentials. I don't really see the point in paying for security software these days.

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[Antony]

The firewall in my router

Which router (and firewall) do you have? I use Telstra's Cable modem followed by three Apple AirPort Extreme Base Stations and one Time Capsule (and one AirPort Express) for roaming network. (Can't afford the wireless version WDS network if you must know.) Oh, also three Cisco Linksys 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switches.

Well, unlike a certain individual who can afford running web servers from their very own house, Antony is poor. I can't afford hosting web servers at home let alone sophisticated hardware based firewall at home. Hence, using the software firewall that notifies me potential phising sites or sites attempts to install dangerous scripts is my second best option.

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[Mandrake]

The firewall in my router

Which router (and firewall) do you have? I use Telstra's Cable modem followed by three Apple AirPort Extreme Base Stations and one Time Capsule (and one AirPort Express) for roaming network. (Can't afford the wireless version WDS network if you must know.) Oh, also three Cisco Linksys 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switches.

Well, unlike a certain individual who can afford running web servers from their very own house, Antony is poor. I can't afford hosting web servers at home let alone sophisticated hardware based firewall at home. Hence, using the software firewall that notifies me potential phising sites or sites attempts to install dangerous scripts is my second best option.

Just an old D-Link DIR-655 router, connected to the Cisco EPC3295 cable modem. I have a Linksys gigabit switch, too.

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[Antony]

Just an old D-Link DIR-655 router, connected to the Cisco EPC3295 cable modem. I have a Linksys gigabit switch, too.

I take that Cisco EPC3295 cable modem is the one supplied by Telstra? So basically we have the similar setup, except I now use Apple AirPort Extreme Base Stations instead. (Still have the D-Link DIR-655 in the box.) I am now relieved.

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[DJGM]

Well, unlike a certain individual who can afford running web servers from their very
own house, Antony is poor. I can't afford hosting web servers at home let
alone sophisticated hardware based firewall at home.

You obviously don't know what the hell you're talking about. A certain individual? Anyone with a standard PC
or even a Mac can run a web server if they know how. Apache webserver software is a FREE (Yes FREE,
as in, it costs nothing) download for any Windows or Linux based machine, and it comes bundled with
your precious Mac OS X as standard, so no need to download anything.

Sophisticated hardware based firewall? Geez, you make me laugh! Most, if not all, routers come with a
built in hardware firewall these days, even the cheap crap routers supplied by many internet providers.
FYI, my current router is a cheap crap Thomson/Technicolor router supplied by O2 Home Broadband,
not one of your precious overpriced fruit branded "Airport" routers.

Until you know what you're talking about Antony, stick with your Apple toys, and shut the hell up.

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[khimkhoykhi]

That's quite a rude comment...

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[Antony]

That's quite a rude comment...

Exactly. Well, we have members showing absolutely no sympathy for those less-fortunate. Without a doubt, not everybody is rich enough to afford Gold level membership on software giant's gaming service and software giant's expensive Tech subscription.

Unfortunately, a certain imperious individual who can easily afford multiple overpriced Windows operating systems also enjoys bossing people around.

There are people who simply can not afford running web servers from their very own houses. Many people found hosting their own web servers at home simply unaffordable, clearly not just measured by the price tag of a single component.

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