Computer firewall recommendations, please

[LVSteve]

I have a laptop with Windows 7 which I'm not planning to change to Win 10. When Microsoft withdrew support I installed Bitdefender and Zonealarm to shore up the ramparts.

Now I'm finding that an element of Zonealarm is causing issues with disk maintenance not to mention loading down the computer at times. The element giving the problem is some kind of threat emulation feature.

What other free firewalls have you folks found effective and light on load.

 

[JH1951]

I'm thinking about doing the (free) upgrade to Windows 10. I will likely also install a new solid state hard drive .... whole ball of wax should cost around $150 or so.

 

[coltle6920]

I use Norton but it comes free with CenturyLink. I wouldn't trust anything that is "free". There's always some catch involved whether it's your privacy or lack of total protection.

Norton catches EVERYTHING at least in my experience and I've made some big mistakes clicking on something I shouldn't have done.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I don't have a free aftermarket firewall answer for you, but I've seen another way to skin that cat.

We've paid for Norton's services forever, but a couple of years ago our Apple Router died, and we replaced it with an ASUS RT-AC88U router. Wireless performance, speed, and range dramatically improved, but the ASUS router also comes with a built-in firewall from Trend Micro called AiProtection. This router firewall is automatically updated for the life of the product. The protection warnings are simultaneous with Norton's on the computers, but it offers the additional benefit of protection to everything on the network like Smart TV's, Tablets, and Phones.

So perhaps a connectivity upgrade for all your devices, that comes with a firewall, is an option.

The latest version of mine is called RT-AX88U.

 

[cmore]

Malwarebytes

 

[Kanewpadle]

We use Norton across six computers at home and work. We have no problems. It’s free with Comcast.

The one and only time I used two different anti virus programs at the same I had nothing but problems. They seemed to be fighting each other for resources causing to computer to slow down significantly.

And I found someone at work was turning the computers off which would not allow them to do scheduled maintenance during non business hours.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

I have no problems with vendors/sellers offering their products free of charge. They know the value of these products. However, my past experience has been that the "free" versions are often scaled-down or de-featured versions of the full or regular product. Additionally, as bigwheelzip stated, ASUS routers are top-rated.

Cyber security and cyber threats are by far, the biggest risk factors and problems that I have for my CPA practice. After forty-four years in practice, for the first time ever, I now have added cyber security insurance. I also use Norton Security and Malwarebytes (Premium). I use Outlook to screen and remove "Junk Mail" and never open an e-mail from anyone that I do not know or click on a hyperlink for which I am not reasonably sure that it is safe. I use strong passwords that are changed regularly, with tertiary verification, and a Firewall.

However, there is no "silver bullet"! A combination of practices and applications, as described above, may (or will) not guarantee that our systems will not become "infected" or hijacked, or Heaven forbid - held for ransom from a ransom ware attack. From the e-mails and warnings that I regularly receive, it appears that the sophistication of the perpetrators is continuously improving, and the "perps" are becoming more effective.

Bill

 

[johngalt]

I don't know specifically Windows products, but macOS has a built in firewall that can be set to ignore all inbound traffic. Plus it sits behind my airport router, so it can't be seen from outside my LAN. Windows also has a built in firewall that can probably be configured similarly.

Are you looking for an update firewall or virus scanner? While virus scanners need to be updated periodically (I use Malwarebytes), firewalls typically don't. Just close all the ports except the ones you are actually using.

 

[DWalt]

As previously mentioned, having multiple anti-virus programs running simultaneously can cause conflicts. Best to just pick one. I know zonealarm does offer a free firewall, I know nothing else about it. Personally I have used the free version of Avast! anti-virus for over five years, never got bit while it was running. But if you want to add all the Avast! bells and whistles, it can get pricey. BTW, I think all of the more recent Windows versions (including Windows 7) have the Windows Defender AV/firewall built in, and it is always enabled unless you disable it. I have no idea whether Windows Defender is better or worse than any other available AV/firewall, but from what I have read, it is highly effective (and free). See: Windows 10 Security, Windows Defender Antivirus, Windows Defender Security Center, Firewall & Windows Hello

 

[Ogandydancer]

I use avast Free on my MAc but am thinking of changing it. My internet provider supplies McAfee however when I installed it it slowed my machine way down. Had to use their un-install tool to get rid of it, incidentally that is what I also have against Norton. The first machine I ever got was a Gateway running windows 98 SE and it came with Norton pre-installed not just 30 day trial and, back then it was pretty good. My HP running Win.7 came with 30 trial of Norton. Never installed it.