[GLLUG] Re: 3rd Party Windows Firewall

[Clay Dowling]

Caleb Cushing wrote:
> ok we all know the windows firewall is crap. and norton an mcaffee
> suck. I recommend AVG free as an antivirus. but what should I
> recommend as a firewall? are there any good free sollutions for
> windows. that take minimal to no configuration (assuming services
> needed is access to web browsing)?

Chick's recommendation of checking to see if they don't already have one
is a solid idea.  If this is a laptop that will be hauled around they
obviously need one.  Otherwise it might be worth finding an old worn out
PC with a working hard drive and network cards and sticking IPCOP,
m0n0wall or OpenBSD on it.  It takes the burden off their machine and
provides an added layer of security.  It's the solution I'm using at home
and it really works very well.

Honestly though, the Windows firewall should be sufficient for most users.
 The interface is simple, entirely appropriate to a single workstation,
and it definitely does stop packets from getting through.  They'll have to
make sure they keep their computer up to date with automatic updates, but
if they don't do this they're vulnerable anyway, no matter what firewall
they use.

I'm going to flee now before the torches and pitchforks come out.

Clay
-- 
Simple Content Management
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