Just curious, what is considered to be the best software firewall for desktop computers on the market today? I'd appreciate many responses.

thx

thx all for the recommendations.

There has been problems accessing the forum here from a DDOS. It is going to take a while for everyone to realize the site is accessible again.

For my dime, I recommend the ZoneAlarm products.

But what you are going to get, if you get responses, is that everyone has their preferences, and horror stories about the others. The best software firewall is the one you have installed and use. I suggest downloading some that have trial versions, install them, and see which one makes sense to you. And then try it.

You know Hoov I like what you said.
I have use ZoneAlarm from day one. Like how it works and I know how it works and if something is not right and I am blocking something I know what to do to unblock it.
I had 98 SE and had the ZoneAlarm Pro 4.x version and still do and it has been good to me all these years even being a older version.
I do other things like use hosts file, WinPatrol etc to look out and protect my computer also.

But I just got a new Dell with XP Pro so am learning a new OS.
I also installed the paid version of Online Armor that I won here last yea. It is top rated and rated better then ZoneAlarm Pro.
But I don't know how everything works and that on top of all the added things XP has that I don't know about. I knew with 98SE what needed rights but XP things changed. I use WinPatrol Plus to get added info to find out more but still I got to learn.

I know lots of people do not like ZoneAlarm anymore and say it's a hog. But after getting Online Armor I sure like to have ZoneAlarm Pro.
I just may get ZoneAlarm Pro installed again but I will get me a new version for XP Pro because I don't think using my old version will be wise seeing how it is over 5 years old.
I know how it works and even keep the setting on high so if it looks and works the same way as the 4.x version then I will know my way around and will only have to learn what ever new thing they have added to it.

I have been using ZASS for the past couple of years and there is a major problem with the latest upgrade (8.0.020). When my subscription expires next July, I will be just using only ZA firewall. The last 2 upgrades are a mess. They are promising a fix but I am holding my breath for the best.

I think that I made a mistake when I decided to let one program handle firewall duties, anti-virus duties and anti-spyware duties.

Up till when I went for the all-in-one program, I was extremely pleased with ZA.

bbee,

That was how I did thing back years ago. I got ZA Pro 3.0 and installed it and got the upgrade and got up to I think the last version of 4.x or the first version of 5.x before my year subscription was up. But because of post on upgrading I stopped at the next to the last 4.x version.

Then I went to there history page and got the downloads for that version. You should do the same thing because later it will not be there.
Then go and copy from ZA the very same info you have on the key code etc so your have all the same as it is now.
I redid my computer and had the box version still and did the install and put in the code like it says but then it gets online and it;s like your all new again so it turns the ZA Pro into a 30 demo or I can change it to the free version. I then were to there site and download the same version I was using when my subscription ran out. But still once you get it going ZA checks so you don't get the same key code. But you can edit it so. I said I redid the computer but I redid a drive because I had a remove able drive so still had ZA on the other drive. I copy that same info and put in in on the other drive and then ZA Pro was working just like it had always been there and it even knew my subscription was up and when it ran out etc.
So get that info copied so you can use it later if you ever need to install ZA again and your have all back to the way it is now.

I miss the ZA Pro I had because I knew everything it did and how to clean up after it. Online Armor I don't know how it all works but it does work great but I don't like all the added things that no longer need to be there. You know that would show up on the ZA Programs but were old version or installs etc. Where it was all easy to see and if you right click it would take you to the properties but if the properties was not there then you knew you could delete it. On Online Armor you don't get info like that s hard to know whats there you can delete because if you delete something still there then you got to go tru the pop up on it again.

Thank you so much. I been thinking about doing just that. Thank you again.

Your welcome bbee.

Go here to the ZoneAlarm® Internet Security Suite Release History http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/information/zass/releaseHistory.html

Then your see "To download this version, click here." by the versions....

All but one of the 7.x and all the 8.x
6.1.744.001
6.0.667.000
5.1.033.000

But as time goes on your see less pass versions to download so always best to get it now.

Guess they don't have just the Zone Alarm Pro anymore because all I see is...

ZoneAlarm Internet
Security Suite

ZoneAlarm Pro
(Firewall &
Anti-Spyware

ZoneAlarm
Antivirus
Plus Firewall

ZoneAlarm
ForceField

ZoneAlarm
(basic firewall)

Can you pick not to install the Antivirus on the "ZoneAlarm Antivirus Plus Firewall"?

So get that license key code copied too you already have because a reinstall your get a new one and then to get thing back as they are now your want to edit the license key and put in the very same and they will then know all about you and that your time is up on the subscription etc. It will sure help out doing a reinstall or a fresh install.

After you installing it, just turn off the Antivirus. But if you want the full firewall (the one you can write rules into) then you need the Firewall pro with antispyware. If you buy the AV version and disable the AV, then you end up with the free version.

Thank to the both of you, I downloaded the ZASS 7.048 version and at this time, it does seem to be a little quicker. I just will not upgrade again.

Greetings from Leon Springs, Texas USofA,

I have used many of the FWs out there that are FREE, do not like to pay for something that will not do what I need.

ZA, Symantec, and many others. Comodo with AV scanner, HIPS, and FW all put into one seems to be very good.

Of course not all will like the same because we are not all the same so the choice is up to the individual. Feel safe and secure . . .

Thank you for reading my roaster postie,

Matousec has a good firewall rating/comparison:

http://www.matousec.com/projects/firewall-challenge/results.php

earthsound,

Thank you for this information it will be added to my present list of Comparators.

These are the ones presently available on my system:

AV-Comparatives
http://www.av-comparatives.org/

Anti-rootkit Tests|Anti-Malware Test Lab http://www.anti-malware-test.com/?q=taxonomy/term/7

I am just not smart enough to add what I presently use to any of my posts. Maybe some day I will learn, after almost 69 years you would think I would be able to THINK!!

Thank you for reading my poster,