Anybody use it? Is it a program worth downloading? How user friendly is it?

 

If you are using Windows XP....don't waste your freaking time...just use the built in ICF, Otherwise get it. Software firewalls are crap anyways. Four minutes max and I could be inside just about every major software firewall available. If you are using a xDSL connection, your modem should have a firewall built into it...if not buy any Linksys router and now you have a formible hardware firewall..MUCH safer. Also it will not slow your system down by hogging resources. If you ABSOLUTELY have to have a softeware firewall and have NO other choice then grab ZoneAlarm. Do not screw with Norton. It has more flaws than a seventy year old has varicose veins.

 

i had za for a while and i liked it but it would slow down my internet
now i have black ice
i read a book that said black ice is better at keeping intruders out and za is better at controlling what programs access internethow bout win 2k3 with black ice?

 

black ice has been cracked already.

pick up the norton firewall. it learns what porst you use often and which ones you don't use. slowly locking most unused ports out. slow at first, but it gets better.

i've heard it's one the best right now.

i'd just invest in a hardware firewall.

 

i used to use zonealarm before i got my router. never had any problems, but i doubt i had anyone trying to hack in.

 

Norton's software firewall is FAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR from the best. Linksys' hardware firewall (built into just about every router/switch/a.p.) is made by Norton. It is probably the best consumer oriented firewall though. Software firewalls suck...PERIOD. Safest for a noob is going to be the paid version of Zonealarm.

Bumnah...as for Blackice being "cracked"...EVERY software firewall on the market for consumers HAS been "cracked". Exploits are discovered every other day for them. The same goes for Hardware firewalls. The difference is that the exploits on Hardware firewalls are ALOT more difficult to carry out then software firewalls. Script kiddies run rampant with their gay little programs that somebody else wrote to exploit all the popular programs. Stick to a hardware firewall and keep the firmware updated. If you have the money (as low as thirty bucks) get some hardware from Linksys (they are owned by Cisco so the majority are GREAT products).
If you are on dial up (ROFLMFAO) do not even worry too much. run whatever you like because your IP changes everytime you dial up (makes it more difficult to footprint you). If you are running Win XP turn on ICF. This is more than adequate for the casual user. No sense in bogging a shit load of system resources down in a bloated firewall program. Make sure you keep your system updated from the MS site too. Other OSes on dial up can just run whatever they like.

I can not stress it enough, if you are on a xDSL connection USE A HARDWARE FIREWALL and make usre your NAT is configured right. Turn off ICF to save a few measely clock cycles and dump the firewall software all together (it does you NO good and may cause connection issues).

 

you didnt answer my question

 

Zonealarm keeps lots of spyware from getting in and out your comps info, so I reccomend it. It works for me.

 

zonealarm works nicely for me... ill be loading it on my new comp

 

Always have a hardware firewall. I do recommend ZoneAlarm... not to keep people out... but to have control of what trys to LEAVE your machine.

When XP Service Pack 2 comes out Zone Alarm will pretty much be obsolete. XP SP2 should probably be out sometime this summer or early fall.