Firewall Protection

[toetoe]

I am using PC-cillin for virus protection on the desktop pc which has been working fine (to the best of my knowledge).To enable the networking of our laptop and desktop to run together i had to diable the firewall in PC-cillin in order for the networking to work. Over the last week some pop ups and strange alert icons keep opening up all the time and also some strange web sites pop up as well.
My question is: As i dont know to much about this sort of stuff, i am sure that the problem is no firewall in my virus software, so i need another virus program that can have the firewall on at all times and still let my network run. Is ther a freeware/shareware program that can do this or would the protection be limited due to being shareware or freeware?. Would i be better off to purchase software?. I welcome any tips or thoughts on this problem..

[Vermin]

ZoneAlarm seems to be the free firewall of choice.

Also check out LavaSoft's Adaware (free) to remove any malicious software already installed.

HighjackThis is another good utility but takes a bit of research to learn how to use it.

If you are using Internet Explorer I suggest you switch to Firefox (free) as it has an excellent pop-up blocker you can add as a free extension.

[toetoe]

I am using Netscape but i could use Explorer if it is going to help. I have been using LavaSoft`s Adaware for some time and it isn`t fixing the problem. I`ll keep sniffiing around the web and see whats out there. Thanks Vermin.

[slice of heaven]

Do you disable the firewall only while networking or have you turned it off permanently?

[vindictive666]

toetoe

i use adaware as well as spybot search and destroy
this one can get the ones that adware misses :)
its free as well

http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

i allso use zonealarmpro which isnt free aslso kerio personal firewall

http://www.kerio.com/kpf_home.html
cant remember whether it was free or not


btw not a good a idea to turn off youre firewalls it leaves you open to too many internet problems If you are using the internet with your network :)

hope this helps

[xstream]

Depending on the router Peter, it should have a firewall built into it.

[Thiink]

Hi toetoe. The problem you are having with the firewall could probably be fixed by adding an exception range in for your local network (subnet/range etc). Then you could keep what you already have, and leave the firewall on permanently. I don't use/have PC-Cillin but I've seen this happen on friends machines during small LAN's, and have helped them fix the problem.

What version of PC-Cillin AV/Internet Security are you using? If its the same as my friends have I can do you up some screen shots to show you how to add them.

ps. using another non-IE browser is also recommended, Firefox is my personal favorite.

[toetoe]

Firewall is off all the time as this was the only way i could get the pc`s to network. Firewall on both machines are off, firewall in PC-cillin is off.
The router has it`s firewall on. I realise i am open to troubles the way it is set up but it is the only way things work together at this time.

[acropolite]

I only run with the router firewall, its reasonably secure, no firewall is 100% foolproof. There are lots of sites out there to test the effectiveness of your firewall. http://www.auditmypc.com/ is one such site. Don't be dismayed by the opening page which will list some visible addresses on your LAN, read the explanation as to why and try the other tests. I seem to remember you have a wireless setup, make 100% sure your security and encription options are up to scratch as that's where your potential problems are.

[toetoe]

Thanks Phil, i will check this site out.

[5ash]

Hi toe toe,
I use Grisofts AVG ver7 and mozarilla firefox and have had no troubles with networking or viruses . All free ware.
philip

[GrampianStars]

Ditto
+ Spybot 1.3 & AdAware SE 1.05 :computer:

[toetoe]

There are a few options that you all have put here, thanks, i am still having a few pop up problems but i will get it sorted out soon.