Make Trusted Internet True by with a Free PC Firewall
I call myself a paranoid before I entered the world of blogging. I’m afraid to trust the internet. Although I have started my career in IT (instead of pursuing my original course as an engineer), I immersed myself with all the IT magazines that I could read. I learned about the perils of using the internet.
These words blared out at me: hacking, password theft, online security breach
These antivirus, firewall and software manufacturers have to come up with ways to make it easier for the end user. Zone Alarm did not work for me as a personal firewall, I find BitDefender and Kaspersky antiviruses with built-in firewalls consuming much of my PC’s resources. Right now I dumped my ESET Smart Security and used the one with out any built-in firewall instead. Why? Because its built-in firewall blocked me off from using the internet, and I had mistakenly blamed it on my good performing ISP.
Comodo Free Firewall is probably a good alternative to those that I have used so far. I guess their mission on making a trusted internet for the end users worked well for them. When I checked CNET, my favorite download site for almost a decade, their free firewall software is the second most downloaded firewall software next to Zone Alarm.
Right now, I’m taking this Free Comodo Firewall for a spin. I turned off my default Windows XP firewall then proceeded with the installation. The interface of this firewall look a bit advanced, so I think ordinary users might get lost at first.
first look at Comodo after installation
I think that using third party firewall like Comodo is a suitable option than relying on old Microsoft to patch up vulnerabilities in their Windows firewall, which comes in every Windows XP package. I guess hackers and virus writers figured out ways to always take out that Windows firewall’s defenses. Not all network administrators and home PC users want to perform those pesky Windows updates.
I’d probably stick with Comodo’s firewall for a while, and see how it fared. I still like Windows XP but I think the Windows XP firewall lacks the security that I need. I am one among those people who need to check seemingly secure bank accounts and Paypal money.
Comodo is not limited to their famous free firewall product: they also have antivirus malware, antivirus and if you are designing a secure website, they can also provide Comodo HackerProof certificate authority.
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13 comments
kouji on October 8, 2008 at 6:26 pm
interesting. i still use zonealarm. mostly because i’m quite comfortable with it already. i look forward to finding out if comodo works well for you.
and i also tend to be quite paranoid about the internet.
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Richard on October 8, 2008 at 8:05 pm
The windows firewall is useless IMO, but even so, if you are behind a NAT router (and have antivirus softawre) then you should be pretty safe without a software firewall.
I’ve never used Comodo, but I hear it’s the best of the free firewalls, I personally use Kaspersky and find it quite good but sometimes the configuration can get a little confusing.
Kouji, you can never be too paranoid. :p
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Gem on October 8, 2008 at 9:58 pm
@kouji
Right, I got it right now in my PC. It looks good. I hope it does not slow down when I do those fast Entrecard drops.
@Richard
Yeah, I’m thinking about the same thing about that Windows firewall. I just have a PC directly connected to the internet without that router.
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pchi on October 9, 2008 at 12:39 am
I use Comodo, but it’s not doing anything for me I guess…
It doesn’t alarm me about a suspicious activity
I use winpatrol and kaspersky…
Kaspersky is good. I am considering of even buying a new version
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MikeC on October 9, 2008 at 5:18 am
Im in the computer field as well but you seem more hardcore than I. I’m not nearly as cautious as I should be. I can be careless sometimes.
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betchai on October 9, 2008 at 9:36 am
i am cautious when it comes to internet transactions involving bank or credit accounts, but it did not stop me from shopping on line since sometimes, the deal on line is a lot cheaper than on stores. thankfully, i had never been a victim of fraud yet. i was once a victim of banking fraud, but not on line, when i deposited a check at an ATM (at night, I totally forget I should have not done it at night), maybe, someone was able to spy my PIN, and several hours after that, i had 2 unauthorized withdrawals. The next day, I got a very early morning call from my bank asking me where I am and have I been anywhere last night, I told them, “San Diego and never been anywhere last night except home”, they told me, “we called because we suspect fraud in your account. you deposited money at 7:00 pm in san diego, but at 10:00 pm and 10:30 pm you had withdrawals at north hollywood, then, at tarzana. we stopped your account already, we would re-open it if you had affirmed you were in those 2 places, but since it is clear you were not there, then, we have to issue you a new account and card. We will refund your account with the unauthorized withdrawals.” It did not take long for my account to be refunded, but anyway, after that, I really stopped from using ATM at night, I actually seldom use ATM since most transactions are paid automatically, and electronically. Frauds are everywhere, I guess, we do really have to be extra cautious.
[Reply]
Gem on October 9, 2008 at 11:38 am
@pchi
Really? You do? I’ve been with it and I find the default settings okay, but I think all those pop ups that show up to approve a programs connection to the internet are quite intrusive to any ordinary user.
@MikeC
Had to learn hardcore bit on computers.. or I’d lose my way of earning income =)
@betchai
It’s nice for you to share this. What I like about being in the US soil is that you get to have those identity theft services. They stop you before you realize that you’ve been robbed.
My cousin in the US had the same experience as you had.
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ruthi on October 9, 2008 at 10:09 pm
geez… I know what a firewall is but i don’t really know those programs. I succumb to “blogging coma” recently because I freaked out with my blogs [I have 9 by the way] because I lost some bling-bling there so i had to re-install templates, customize and widges all over again. it was killing me. i just wish i know what i was doing because i only learn some html code just by reading from other websites that gives tutorial and tips. then, eventually i learn how to shop online to and just any another kind of shopping… it’s addictive [lol] oh well, blogging now is my way of life so i have no right to complain. but still i wish i have more knowledge like you do.
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Gem on October 9, 2008 at 10:45 pm
@ruthi
Just having 4 active blogs (3 listed here, and one is hidden) in my account gets me crazy. I could not imagine doing 9 blogs - I’d probably have someone do that for me and just concentrate on putting in more content. =)
Like you blogging is indeed my way of life. Addictive and keeps my mind sharp - even if I just work at home =)… I appreciate your words.
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kouji on October 10, 2008 at 12:14 am
indeed.
paranoia is my default setting online. :O
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Ade on October 10, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I use the firewall built into my router, and Windows Firewall on my Eee, and Ashampoo on my other PCs.
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Gem on October 10, 2008 at 7:05 pm
@kouji
That’s my impression on your blog and profile.
@Ade
Ashampoo… I’ve always heard that but never seen that first hand. Got to try that one of these days. Thanks!
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nukeit on October 12, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I’ve been using this firewall for about a month now and I really like it. I even wrote a review about it on my site a while back. The best stuff in life is free!
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