In reply to a post by zebedeee:

Just install Eset Smart Security. Contains both an excellent virus checker and a firewall.

ESET Smart Security got very poor firewall results in testing by matousec.com and only passed 4% of tests. These are the test results (opens a PDF file).

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

If you don't wanna pay for one, then ZoneAlarm Free Personal Firewall is as good as any other.

ZoneAlarm Free Personal Firewall only passed 11% of tests from masoutec.com. (click here for results in pdf format)

Thanks anyhow!!

I really wouldn't read too much into the matousec.com stuff, yes it does show a correctly working firewall but you may like to read some of the vendor responces which bring up some good points about relevancy of whether the firewall is secure.

In reply to a post by cozumel:

ZoneAlarm Free Personal Firewall only passed 11% of tests from masoutec.com.

No wonder! This is a highly suspect and biased test.

ZoneAlarm Free is tested and compared against a whole range of integrated security suites, including its companion ZoneAlarm Pro which scored 72%, much higher.

Yet ZoneAlarm Free only purports to be a firewall while ZoneAlarm Pro (& the rest) are the whole caboodle.

Also, it appears that you knew the answer to your question before you asked it LOL!

Edited by XRaySpeX (Sun 24-May-09 21:59:11)

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

Also, it appears that you knew the answer to your question before you asked it LOL!

I really did not know the answer when I posted the original question. It is only a decision I came to during the course of research today and after reading probably well over 100 posts concerning firewalls. And I understand on firewalls being part of an integrated package. As I want a small (resource) footprint, as I stated in the first post of this thread, it meant I could only consider a firewall program that offered high levels of protection as a stand-alone product, which is where ZoneAlarm (a fine product) fell short of my requirements.

The last two software firewalls I have used have been Comodo and ZoneAlarm (both free versions) and I was happy with both as they were part of 5 or 6 programs I installed as part of my package of protection. I haven't used software firewalls since about 2004 when I decided hardware firewalls satisfied my requirements for the home. I was expecting to return to either ZoneAlarm or Comodo for my laptop but only decided differently this evening after a good deal of (time-consuming) research.

Many thanks again for your time.

Edit: First paragraph added to for clarity

Edited by cozumel (Sun 24-May-09 22:41:15)

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

I really wouldn't read too much into the matousec.com stuff, yes it does show a correctly working firewall but you may like to read some of the vendor responces which bring up some good points about relevancy of whether the firewall is secure.

I do understand the context/validity of masoutec testing and that is why I spent a great deal of time cross-referencing with forum posts to check out end-user experience before coming to a decision.

Thanks

In reply to a post by cozumel:

In reply to a post by zebedeee:

Just install Eset Smart Security. Contains both an excellent virus checker and a firewall.

ESET Smart Security got very poor firewall results in testing by matousec.com and only passed 4% of tests. These are the test results (opens a PDF file).

From bitter experience, I know that it's not a good idea to have separate AV and Firewall products, and since ESET NOD32 is the best AV product, then getting the complete Internet Security package is a "no brainer". Since matousec is a privately-owned company, I do not feel that the results can be trusted, and if you Google DIFINEX (the owners of matousec), then you'll find many that agree.

http://smokeys.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/matousecs-ne...

Edited by deleted (Tue 26-May-09 13:39:55)

In reply to a post by cozumel:

Thank you everyone for your feedback.

I don't want to go for a suite as from my experience they are 'bloatware', slowing a machine down and reducing productivity. Haven't used Norton Internet Security or similar for a few years because of this problem.

I have done a bit of research and will go with ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Outpost Firewall Pro 2009 which together should have a low resource footprint but highly effective protection. Outpost had very good results in testing from matousec.com passing 94% of the tests (click here for test results in pdf format). Feedback from users and admin/mods at Wilders Security Forums are also mostly positive for Outpost.

Thanks again

You've made an excellent decision! Until recently i was using ESET Smart Security v4 and while its AV component has a legendary status, unfortunately its firewall component leaves a lot to be desired. I've now reverted to ESET antivirus only (v4) and just bought Outpost Firewall Pro 2009 for $59.99 for a LIFETIME licence (special offer from Agnitum)

I will be going online when I meet at them at cafes and other public places in London (including possibly British Rail Stations). In central London you can connect in most places....

well u will need encryption while using hot spots such as Xerobank ,IronKey etc these will encrypt your surfing & e-mail as hot spots are notoriously bad for eves droppers.

Edited by TiMeTraVeLeR (Wed 27-May-09 19:31:04)