O.K. I probably should ask this question in the security and virus forum, but I'll ask it here anyways. How important is it that I install a firewall on my computer? I'm not on a network and this computer uses a dialup connection to access the net. I guess the real question is: Do I need a firewall? I use antivirus software and have a utility that checks for spyware and adware. Am I secure enough? Am I taking the right precautions? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Would a firewall slow down my speed on the net? Dial up isn't exactly the fastest connection anyways. Two firewalls I've heard about are from companies like ZoneAlarms and Kerio. Are these any good?

i highly recomend it even if your on dialup... its your digital condum... wouldnt go screwing around w/ out one would ya!? and like condums there are firewalls out there that are given for free... my favorite is sygate personal filewall free for home use... www.sygate.com

Dre is right. Sygate is a good firewall too. But just be aware, free is not always good. A firewall without constant updates, is next to useless. I will add another to your known list... Symantec or Norton Firewall. Also, there is McAfee Firewall, if you have a few bucks in your wallet. Just because you have dial-up is no guarantee! The MINUTE you get on-line, you are in jeopardy these days. I have done a great deal of investigation on computer security...and I just read, that two years ago it took about 15 minutes on the average to get "attacked" while on line...that time has now been reduced to 15 SECONDS! By attacked, I mean, probed, by a hacker, looking for an open and responsive port. The fact of the matter is, there are a lot of ways to stealth their way into your computer. Your computer can even be turned into a Zombie and made to do mass emailings without your even knowing it. A hacker can address every last open port you have and steal all of your private info, codes, security codes, credit card info, etc. Even if you don't buy things over the net, you are crazy not to use a firewall to block hackers. Ad aware and other such programs are no guarantee of not being used....I am talking about hackers who use your computer without your knowledge, for specific purposes, like doing illegal things, spamming, etc. You could potentially be held liable if your computer is traced as the source of the spam! It could get ugly. It's the bandwidth and the free cpu cycles that the hackers are after. YOu can go to gibson research to learn more. Symantec and McAfee both have scanners to scan your computer and tell you more about the hazards. There is info all over the net that tells you why you need a firewall...this is just the beginning of the reasons why!

I agree with dre, I wouldn't go anywhere near the Internet without a firewall, anymore than I would go near a strange woman without a condom, and the Internet is full of strange woman - and men! Zone Alarm do a good free firewall as well. I have heard good reports of it although I use the paid version which is excellent. You need anti-virus, firewall and ad-ware. They all do slightly different jobs although there is some overlap between them. Stuart

The three most popular freebies are Zone Alarm, Sygate and Kerio. All of them are effective. ZA is probably the worst resource hog of the three but many folk use it just fine. Not perhaps the best choice for low spec machines. Sygate is a nice balance as far as resource usage is concerned. I happen to like Kerio which is very small indeed. Having said that it is far more DIY than the other two and is a bit of a handful to set up (you end up creating your own rules). I had to add extra rules to stop intrusions "after" it had passed the popular Sheilds Up test. That gives me confidence. ZA and Sygate are easy to use/setup. For most folk I would probably recommend Sygate but for some reason it hates my particular software mix and all versions have caused freeze ups. Other folk seem to have no trouble with it, even on lower spec machines than mine. Derek.W

Wow! I had no idea that a firewall was that important. Man, how stupid have I been? Well, I'm changing that. For now, I think I'll go with ZA or Sygate until I can shell out the bucks for something like Norton or McAfee. Thanks alot for the advice. Now I can cruise the net knowing I'm not giving a hacker or some other sleeze a free ride. Do any of you guys know of any web sites that will test the effectiveness of my new firewall?

Hi New Guy Zone Alarm and Sygate are both good but I prefer Sygate I get boxes popping up all the time saying "Port scan attack logged" and being able to laugh about it because nothing gets through. Get Sygate ok then test your system using Sygate, it will report back that all your ports should be stealthed, totally hidden from the nasty people out there. Wolfey On a hot summers night would you offer your throat to the Wolf with the Red Roses?