Here is my situation,
For some reasons i am on an old AMD Athlon 600 MHz CPU with 512 RAM junk machine (Windows XP SP2 Pro), and will have to stay on it for a while.
After the last virus attack I hardly recovered from, I feel I can’t rely anymore on Windows Firewall, it just doesn’t do anything to protect me.
I would really appreciate an advice for an alternative Firewall that would be protecting better than Windows Firewall, but would take just as many resources as Windows Firewall does.
Please consider seriously that I am on an old machine and working with monsters like Photoshop, every bit of RAM and CPU power matters to me, and i would kindly ask you to advice me only software you are sure about (not just for advertising purposes), and have tested it and know what you are talking about.

p.s. by the way I am really want to know:
1. How many resources take Windows Firewall and where can I check such data?
2. How exactly can I check if my Windows Firewall is really running (and doesn’t just appear as ON in control panel, or Security Center) because after the last attack I am not sure anymore if my firewall is running at all…

Hi az,
I can't answer your specific questions, but I can offer some advice on the firewall issue. Try the free version of the Comodo
firewall. It is light on resources, relatively easy to configure, and is a two-way firewall.

Also, I would consider adding more RAM if at all possible. Just adding another 256MB would make a noticeable difference.

Are you running any antivirus and antispyware software? Any firewall, by itself, is not going to do a good job of protecting your computer. Most experts recommend a layered approach which includes, at the minumum, one antivirus, one antispyware, and one two-way firewall.

Hi

The first thing you need to do is make sure there is no more malware left on your pc. Malware Removal and Prevention system can help you there.

Regarding your firewall need and low resources, I would suggest buying a router with firewall features and leave just windows firewall running on your computer. You can buy a decent router at around 60$. In order for us to recommend a good router, you are going to have to tell us how do you connect to the internet and how many computer you have in your local area network.

Thanks for replies. Its helpful to me.
I guess an external firewall is a decent idea.
There are 10 computers in my office and they all connect through common ADSL modem at 4mbps speed, via simple 10 ports network switch.

Hi

So you need something easy to use and simple. You can try Dlink or this LinkSys which has also DOS protection and VPN support.

Thanks.

Always a pleasure