Firewall for Vista-64

[rockymtnhigh]

I need a good firewall for Vista 64. I wanted to use sunbelt's personal firewall, since I use their Vipre, anti-virus/anti-malware software, but of course, it is not compatible.

Recommendations? Want the least system resource hogging possible. (One of the reasons I switched to Vipre).

 

[snathanb]

I need a good firewall for Vista 64. I wanted to use sunbelt's personal firewall, since I use their Vipre, anti-virus/anti-malware software, but of course, it is not compatible.

Recommendations? Want the least system resource hogging possible. (One of the reasons I switched to Vipre).

Haven't used it myself, but check out comodo.com.

 

[8bitbytes]

Why not use a ZoneAlarm router? It has CheckPoint Firewall built in. Then you don't need to bog down your computer with a software firewall that can be shutdown by a drive-by infection the router firewall could have filtered out for you.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I have a good router, but was under the impression that its not enough. Maybe it is. I will check into it.

But I'd prefer not to have to deal with additional software. I just started looking at the Zone Alarm router. Looks very interesting. Wish it had more than Lan Ports.

Would I be able to use an existing Linksys switch with it, to expand ports? most of my home network is wired, and not wireless.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Haven't used it myself, but check out comodo.com.

I didn't realize comodo supported 64-bit. If I go the software route, I will check that out.

 

[8bitbytes]

I have a good router, but was under the impression that its not enough. Maybe it is. I will check into it.

But I'd prefer not to have to deal with additional software. I just started looking at the Zone Alarm router. Looks very interesting. Wish it had more than Lan Ports.

Would I be able to use an existing Linksys switch with it, to expand ports? most of my home network is wired, and not wireless.

You need a DMZ port and more than 4 LAN ports?
You can always add a switch to one of the LAN ports to run more wired networking.

 

[Pepper]

Vista 64 already has a firewall built in. More than you need if you're behind a NAT router and have good antivirus and antimalware already.

 

[snathanb]

Would I be able to use an existing Linksys switch with it, to expand ports? most of my home network is wired, and not wireless.

Yes. That's always true.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Vista 64 already has a firewall built in. More than you need if you're behind a NAT router and have good antivirus and antimalware already.

I am not someone who engages in risky computing, but with an 11 year old in the house, who is on his laptop all the time, I am trying to make sure we are adequately protected.

 

[snathanb]

I am not someone who engages in risky computing, but with an 11 year old in the house, who is on his laptop all the time, I am trying to make sure we are adequately protected.

The 11 year old is running 64-bit Vista on his laptop?

 

[RandallA]

I am not someone who engages in risky computing, but with an 11 year old in the house, who is on his laptop all the time, I am trying to make sure we are adequately protected.

I don't know Rocky but I have to agree with Pepper on this one, Vista's firewall is better than the one in XP and the computer is also behind a NAT. To me is overkill but you're the only one who knows what's best for your son.

 

[8bitbytes]

I am not someone who engages in risky computing, but with an 11 year old in the house, who is on his laptop all the time, I am trying to make sure we are adequately protected.

You are going to need more than a firewall to protect his laptop. A router with NAT and an SPI firewall is a good start but the main problem today for Windows users is poisoned webpages. An estimated 1 in every 20 pages is now poisoned and it doesn't have to be war3z or porn to run across it. The latest Spybot SD with Tea Timer will now block some 110,000 processes and protect your registry. I would be running this on top of whatever Internet Security package you are running.

Even better for web browsing and IM is a Ubuntu CD that you boot up when you need it. No installation necessary.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

The 11 year old is running 64-bit Vista on his laptop?

No, I am running 64-bit vista on my desktop. He is running Vista-32 Premium on his. In the interim I will add Windows Firewall to his machine. He is already running Vipre for Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware - and it updates its definition files every few hours. He's not a bad kid; just doesn't think when he browses the web; particularly with all the video game and music websites he is always on.

Ultimately, I want a whole house solution.

 

[Van]

Comodo has a nice set of security software that I have been using for a while now. With microsoft I dont have alot of faith in their ability to produce an secure product including firewalls.

 

[Bulldog]

Comodo has a nice set of security software that I have been using for a while now. With microsoft I dont have alot of faith in their ability to produce an secure product including firewalls.

I agree, I use the entire Comodo Security Suite. I feel it is a lot better than the paid versions.