Windows firewall?

STEED · 05-19-15, 12:51 PM

Up to last weekend I was using the free Comodo firewall and all was well then a update came though and..

A ton of syrup hit my Win8.1 everything slowed down slower than a snail and it blocked the Internet as well! Switch it off and business as usual switched it back on and the syrup was back. Uninstalled it cleaned up the PC re-installed and the yes you got it.

Now dumped it outright, is anyone just using the windows firewall? everything OK no issues?

HW3 · 05-19-15, 03:53 PM

I use it as part of my security setup which includes an antivirus and malware fighter. I've had no problems yet.

Rhodes · 05-20-15, 06:05 AM

Same here. It does the job. Began using it when that virus come around (can not remember the name) that re-booted the PC over and over, if connect to the internet.
Of course, firewall programs may be more secure and block more.

Sailor Steve · 05-20-15, 09:48 AM

I've never had a problem with it. I use it with Windows Defender and have a couple of other anti-virus programs to run scans with.

Jimbuna · 05-20-15, 10:21 AM

Give Microsoft Security Essentials a spin STEED, I've never had any problems since I started using it.

Pisces · 05-20-15, 10:59 AM

Only the earliest version of XP (non-servicepack-ed) was suspect iirc. Eventually Microsoft got it's act together in plugging the holes in it's OS-es. But the public image damage was done. I see no reason to consider Vista, 7 and later to need the same treatment as the XP firewall. Imho the other 3rd party firewalls are pretty much bloatware. But then, I'm comfortable in editing the firewall settings as I'm a tech guy. Other less network-knowledgable people might have more trouble and need a simplified user interface that other firewalls provide. But from a security standpoint I don't think the Windows firewall is inherently bad.

Also, Firewalls are not equal to virusscanners and malware scanners. So you need to have both. Firewalls only look at where network packets come and go to/from, and checks what sort of packet types it is. It either allows or blocks and drops this based on rules. Whereas virusscanners and malware scanners check on a much higher level if something is indeed (or looks like) acting in a malicious way on a file/email level in the OS.

STEED · 05-20-15, 11:05 AM

I got the windows fire wall on and also running free editions of Avast anti virus with Malwarebytes and Super Anti Spyware & Ccleaner. To date never had issues with these freeware ones and rather keep them going.

nikimcbee · 05-20-15, 11:12 AM

I just had a problem with the win 8.1 update and the AVG virus program. I think it/I blocked the driver for media player, which ceased working. I just re-installed the driver for my sound software and everything works now. So AVG caught/blocked something.

Smurfing windows.

STEED · 05-20-15, 11:58 AM

I shall keep my set up as it is now as said in my last post. I do hope I get some sort of massage saying your windows firewall has been updated just to give me peace of mind.

05-19-15, 12:51 PM	#1
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Windows firewall? Up to last weekend I was using the free Comodo firewall and all was well then a update came though and.. A ton of syrup hit my Win8.1 everything slowed down slower than a snail and it blocked the Internet as well! Switch it off and business as usual switched it back on and the syrup was back. Uninstalled it cleaned up the PC re-installed and the yes you got it. Now dumped it outright, is anyone just using the windows firewall? everything OK no issues? __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

05-19-15, 03:53 PM	#2
HW3 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gresham Oregon Posts: 6,439 Downloads: 453 Uploads: 0	I use it as part of my security setup which includes an antivirus and malware fighter. I've had no problems yet. __________________ "Some ships are designed to sink...others require our assistance." Nathan Zelk

05-20-15, 06:05 AM	#3
Rhodes Silent Hunter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Figueira da Foz, Portugal Posts: 4,486 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 0	Same here. It does the job. Began using it when that virus come around (can not remember the name) that re-booted the PC over and over, if connect to the internet. Of course, firewall programs may be more secure and block more. __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16416646@N05/

05-20-15, 09:48 AM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I've never had a problem with it. I use it with Windows Defender and have a couple of other anti-virus programs to run scans with. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

05-20-15, 10:21 AM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 181,198 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Give Microsoft Security Essentials a spin STEED, I've never had any problems since I started using it. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!! GWX3.0 Download Page - Donation/instant access to GWX (Help SubSim)

05-20-15, 10:59 AM	#6
Pisces Silent Hunter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: AN9771 Posts: 4,892 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 0	Only the earliest version of XP (non-servicepack-ed) was suspect iirc. Eventually Microsoft got it's act together in plugging the holes in it's OS-es. But the public image damage was done. I see no reason to consider Vista, 7 and later to need the same treatment as the XP firewall. Imho the other 3rd party firewalls are pretty much bloatware. But then, I'm comfortable in editing the firewall settings as I'm a tech guy. Other less network-knowledgable people might have more trouble and need a simplified user interface that other firewalls provide. But from a security standpoint I don't think the Windows firewall is inherently bad. Also, Firewalls are not equal to virusscanners and malware scanners. So you need to have both. Firewalls only look at where network packets come and go to/from, and checks what sort of packet types it is. It either allows or blocks and drops this based on rules. Whereas virusscanners and malware scanners check on a much higher level if something is indeed (or looks like) acting in a malicious way on a file/email level in the OS.

05-20-15, 11:05 AM	#7
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	I got the windows fire wall on and also running free editions of Avast anti virus with Malwarebytes and Super Anti Spyware & Ccleaner. To date never had issues with these freeware ones and rather keep them going. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT! Last edited by STEED; 05-20-15 at 11:20 AM.

05-20-15, 11:12 AM	#8
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,925 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I just had a problem with the win 8.1 update and the AVG virus program. I think it/I blocked the driver for media player, which ceased working. I just re-installed the driver for my sound software and everything works now. So AVG caught/blocked something. Smurfing windows. __________________

05-20-15, 11:58 AM	#9
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	I shall keep my set up as it is now as said in my last post. I do hope I get some sort of massage saying your windows firewall has been updated just to give me peace of mind. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!