[BBLISA] Firewall question #2

[Eric smith]

Just as an aside to these points, I believe there already has been a 
virus that altered the "allowed" software list for zonealarm.  I believe 
zonealarm now protects against this (probably encrypts/checksums the list.)

Another reason to use a software firewall is when you VPN into work. 
This will completely bypass your local hardware firewall.  We'd all like 
to think that our networks safe, but one virus is all it takes.  It 
spreads to someone who has vpn'ed in, and then comes back the next time 
they tunnel back in.  Personally, I have a hardware (netgear) and 
software (zonealarm) firewall, along with anti-virus software.

I have had a few problem with zonealarm (stops certain programs from 
connecting out no matter what) but an upgrade to the latest version has 
always solved it.

Eric

jco wrote:

> I know this isn't want you asked.  But I think you should really 
> encourage people to use Home Firewall/router hardware.  It's only a 
> matter of time, if it hasn't happened already, before someone write a PC 
> virus that knows how to turn off Kernel IP filtering, or even worst open 
> the ports it needs/wants.
> I'm a really big fan of the hardware ones they have nice Webbased 
> management, they come in total stealth mode, don't allow anything 
> inbound,  don't respond to ping on the WAN, NAT turned on, and use the 
> IP address of the first inside machine they see.   They have some 
> bugs... and I'm really overworking mine, but they do work.   And at 
> $60-70 RETAIL, they really can't be beat.  Yes you can pay $100+ for 
> them but then tend to have a lot of extra stuff like a WAP, and a 
> printer port.
> It's worth the money.  And if you have enough home users, it might make 
> sense for your company to buy bulk and just give the suckers away with 
> new laptops.  All the netgear ones are even remotely manageable.  (not 
> in a way I like, but it could be done.)
> 
> johno
> 
> Edward Ned Harvey wrote:
> 
>> I'm looking for a free software firewall that I can recommend for people
>> to use for home usage.
>>
>> In the past, the only one I tried was Sygate, and it seemed ok, but then
>> it started crashing a lot and generally flaking out.
>>
>> So I'd like to hear if anybody's got a good recommendation for a free
>> software firewall.
>>
>> Thanks #2!
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> 
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