Anti-Spyware vs Firewall

[Grand Maester]

I'm just curious what other people's takes are on this. I used to run the Zone Alarm Pro firewall alongside Webroot Spysweeper (paid subscription) and Spybot S&D (freeware) anti-spyware program. But then Zone Labs hiked it's fee and I decided not to pay it, it's been at least two years and I haven't really noticed much a drop in security (which is why I never bothered to install ZoneAlarm Free Edition). Indeed I ended up disabling the component of Spybot that actively monitor's system activity (I believe it's called TeaTimer), because it would flag the sames things that Spysweeper did which caused me to have multiple pop-ups for each individual error. Both are just as capable of monitoring system changes (at least they were the last time I used TeaTimer), but I decided to use Spysweeper as the always running program because it's alerts are more detailed. However, I continue to use Spybot for periodic scans to catch what little slips past Spysweeper (which is often nothing). Anyway, my question is, does anybody think it's preferable to run a Firewall even when they have firewall capabilities in an anti-spyware program?

I ask this because Webroot has a firewall program and I really don't know what exactly it would catch that spysweeper itself doesn't. This could also apply to company's like Symantec who have Anti-Virus and then "Internet Security Suites."

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

I do not care for those security suites. They are usually bloatware. I just uses Vista's buit-in firewall plus Windows Defender, SpywareBlaster, Adaware SE and Avast for anti virus. I also am behind a nat fire walled router. I have never been infected.

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

If the issue is cost, there are software application firewalls which are available for free to individuals for home use, like Tall Emu's Online Armor, Comodo's Internet Security, PC Tools' Firewall Plus, Sunbelt Software's Personal Firewall and so forth. Why not use one of those?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

[i_was_here]

Antispyware programs and firewalls serve different purposes. Theyre not meant to be interchangeable.

Having that, I dont concern myself with antispyware programs. I generally go for just antivirus + firewall.

[Tehsplink]

I have a firewall on my router, and to answer your question then i would strongly suggest you don't get a firewall.

However if you do, please,please,please,please,please!!! stay away from ZoneAlarm. My personal Recommendation would be Comodo which can be found at http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/dow...d_firewall.html

And then you can get a memory firewall, which is a brilliant option from http://www.memoryfirewall.comodo.com/download.html

I will be writing about Comodo Backup Utility sometime soon, so just keep tuned and I'll be able to tell you if its worth it.

Regards,

[blaszta]

I use Comodo Firewall (disabled defense+), Avast & Spyware Terminator (disabled real time scanner, just do scanning like once a month). All free.

So far, these combination always catch any virus/trojan/key logger/what ever that come when I download (cough *torrent* cough) something...

[Grand Maester]

I do not care for those security suites. They are usually bloatware. I just uses Vista's buit-in firewall plus Windows Defender, SpywareBlaster, Adaware SE and Avast for anti virus. I also am behind a nat fire walled router. I have never been infected.

What's a "nat" router?

Antispyware programs and firewalls serve different purposes. Theyre not meant to be interchangeable.

Having that, I dont concern myself with antispyware programs. I generally go for just antivirus + firewall.

I know that, I guess my question is what's the difference? I haven't really noticed a problem without a firewall.

I have a firewall on my router, and to answer your question then i would strongly suggest you don't get a firewall.

However if you do, please,please,please,please,please!!! stay away from ZoneAlarm. My personal Recommendation would be Comodo which can be found at http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/dow...d_firewall.html

And then you can get a memory firewall, which is a brilliant option from http://www.memoryfirewall.comodo.com/download.html

I will be writing about Comodo Backup Utility sometime soon, so just keep tuned and I'll be able to tell you if its worth it.

Regards,

What's wrong with Zone Alarm?

[hjf288]

What's a "nat" router?

I know that, I guess my question is what's the difference? I haven't really noticed a problem without a firewall.

What's wrong with Zone Alarm?

NAT Router - Network Address Translation router..

All these people saying Wahaha my Routers firewall will protect me may find themselves in for a shock..

It wont protect them from a virus transmitting their data to a 3rd party without compromising their own internet usage..

Thats why you use a software firewall to protect against outbound threats, while your router should handle inbound..

[Grand Maester]

NAT Router - Network Address Translation router..

All these people saying Wahaha my Routers firewall will protect me may find themselves in for a shock..

It wont protect them from a virus transmitting their data to a 3rd party without compromising their own internet usage..

Thats why you use a software firewall to protect against outbound threats, while your router should handle inbound..

Yeah, I totally agree on that, there's a reason just about every security expert will tell you should have both.

[i_was_here]

I know that, I guess my question is what's the difference? I haven't really noticed a problem without a firewall.

Firewalls are used to control network traffic and stop unauthorized access to your computer.

Antispyware programs block and/or remove spyware/adware and the like.

What's wrong with Zone Alarm?

Theres more powerful and lighter firewalls than ZA.

All these people saying Wahaha my Routers firewall will protect me may find themselves in for a shock..

It wont protect them from a virus transmitting their data to a 3rd party without compromising their own internet usage..

Thats why you use a software firewall to protect against outbound threats, while your router should handle inbound..

Shouldnt you try to prevent malware from getting on your computer in the first place?

If some malware is on your computer and your firewall finds it connecting out, then that means all your other security failed to catch it before.

[lordpake]

Shouldnt you try to prevent malware from getting on your computer in the first place?

If some malware is on your computer and your firewall finds it connecting out, then that means all your other security failed to catch it before.

Of course, this would be desirable situation. However, no protection is ever 100% so having layered solution involving outbound protection is good idea.

I'd rather have the knowledge of being infected than simply live in the dark :) At least with firewall alerting me I'd have some idea everything is not so peachy and I could investigate further.

[Grand Maester]

Firewalls are used to control network traffic and stop unauthorized access to your computer.

Antispyware programs block and/or remove spyware/adware and the like.

I know that's the difference in theory, but I guess what I'm saying is, in my experience, they have the same effect in practice.

Theres more powerful and lighter firewalls than ZA.

Like what? Are they less invasive, and by that I mean do they require less user direction?

[tgm1024]

NAT Router - Network Address Translation router..

All these people saying Wahaha my Routers firewall will protect me may find themselves in for a shock..

It wont protect them from a virus transmitting their data to a 3rd party without compromising their own internet usage..

Thats why you use a software firewall to protect against outbound threats, while your router should handle inbound..

Outbound traffic was monitored by [even] my old NAV installations (prior to my NOD32 days). NAV by default seemed to try to put itself in the middle of every single UDP/TCP transaction imaginable in both directions. I suspect that this is the primary reason for their choke-ware reputation, but am not entirely sure.

Would that part of NAV be considered a "firewall" in that case?

That said, it is *still* the case that going from no-NAT to NAT at the hardware level is probably the hugest leap of inbound protection.

[i_was_here]

but I guess what I'm saying is, in my experience, they have the same effect in practice.

Hows that?

I never had an antispyware block connections to my computer and I havent had a firewall warn me of spyware.

Like what? Are they less invasive, and by that I mean do they require less user direction?

Comodo, Online Armor, PC Tools Firewall