Ok, i'll try to ask this to where it can be understood. I have Nortons firewall('05). After the initial date for subscription is up(in August) and i can no longer get updates (without paying for further service), would it still protect my pc in the same manner as the free firewalls available on the net? Thanks in advance.
It would only protect you from known threats and exploits, so the moment new exploits are found, you are vulnerable to attacks.
im pretty geek when it comes to software and computers.. in the time i have have been working on the net from 95' to now i have always laughed at firewalls. the main thing is to keep out intruders.. but who realy would want to get into your system? and if they did want to a firewall is like using a blanket as a door.. norton is a pretty poor company when it comes to security anyways.. i would not pay for anything they have. in short.. you dont NEED a firewall.. you are more secure behind a router then a firewall. to the hard core security people.. if you never picked up networking for dummies dont post here.. because networking is hacking and exploits in a nice package.
In truth, no system is truely secure, cause if someone with the right tools wants in, he'll get in no matter what, even a router with a NAT combined with a hardware firewall *second NAT* won't stop them. But still fuggedup, let's be honest, most people just need a means to defend themselves from minor script kiddies, so the software firewall ought to be sufficient means to keep them safe. Then again... ;-)
lol i like that banner yeah, for those not in the know.. free or not, dont think it makes much of a differance.. i would hit http://www.download.com/3150-10435_...nk=&gfiletype=&os=&li=49&dlsize=&ca=&x=53&y=4 download.com search on the firewalls for free.. look at the reviews and pick one you like (user reviews) then if it has images look at it and make sure it has an interface (look) that you like or think would be good for your level of skill me i look for the thing thats cluttered because i want crazy options in software.. but you might want 2 buttons like on/off *shrugs*
Meh, he's not wrong. A router firewall is > any normal downloadable one, possible exception being blackice or kaspersky. I've said the same thing several times. There is no such thing as a great firewall that is a install-it-and-forget-it solution. They good ones all require a good bit of customization for the particular network, its speed, the number of users, the kind of traffic, etc. Example...if you're running a mail server you need a different setup than a web server. For the most part, anything is only as secure as the intelligence or experience of the person trying to bypass the security, and I'm telling you now, most software firewalls are fairly easy to trick into thinking you're legitimate.
Who said there was an "install & forget it firewall"? Perhaps he is correct & perhaps you are correct. But I will stand by my previous statement. As I am sure you both will. One can argue the merits of whether or not to have a firewall but I prefer to have at least [bold]something[/bold] rather than nothing, & I would say the same to anyone who asked.
Nobody said it, however, ZA and all the other firewalls that you, well...install once and set rules for as they come along, are firewalls of this type. I recommend a firewall for users w/o a router. However, router > both, unless you don't change your default password. Besides that, your biggest worry is social engineering and phishing, not someone actually gaining control of your system. I mean...seriously, what are they gonna do with all your sensitive Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie pics? It's not like you've got a real security need. And...firewalls aren't going to protect you from trojans and dialers that you download and run yourself, or that infect through hostile ActiveX.
