What Is The Best Free Firewall Protector From Hackers

[refractordude]

Hello There

Recently had an issue with my computer that locked things up. What is the best free or least expensive firewall? Thanks to you all.

[Leo.G (Leo)]

Sorry, I can't recall what my son runs on all of our gear but it's rather complex because we have a rack mount server, big twin CPU unit which runs pfSense operating system (my son just informed me what it is because I always forget) that all of our gear connects through.


pfSense is what he runs, I don't understand it. This is not software you run on any singular device and quite complex.


I do know Kaspersky anti-virus has a good firewall included.

HOWEVER, many of the anti virus programs offer a firewall feature worth looking into.
I thought your lock-up issue was software based not an attack?

You could have a look here:

https://www.lifewire.com/free-firewall-programs-4129270

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

Comodo Firewall is pretty good, run it on my machines and have had no problems, either with the software or with intrusions.

[Leo.G (Leo)]

I haven't played with Comodo for several years, it used to be the best but going back when I did use it it was somewhat complex.
It's likely still the best and less complicated now, it's always had a good reputation.
Second recommendation for Comodo.

[Crater101 (Warren)]

I used the free version of ZoneAlarm for several years before paying for the product. The free version was pretty good, and is still a reasonable contender these days. Never had an issue with it and it stopped quite a few threats.

[AstroViking (Steve)]

Just be aware that a firewall will only protect you from external sources trying to connect to your PC. Your network router should already be doing that, as it will be using NAT to hide your local network address from the wider Internet.

A firewall will NOT protect you from malicious websites, or any of the nasties that use your web browser to get in.

Pull up your PC's network information and I can pretty much guarantee your IP address will be of the form 192.168.X.Y. (There are other reserved IP address ranges, but I'm not going to get into them here.)

Then open a browser and hit any of the "what is my IP address" websites. The value it returns will be different.

Your WiFi gateway / modem-router / whatever is doing address translation to keep your PC's IP off the Internet. It's doing more, but I'm trying to keep things simple.

So, don't bother with a firewall. Invest in a good anti-virus / anti-malware program instead.

V.

[leon]

I have use and quite like Bitdefender, it is very good and reasonably priced for a yearly subscription.

Leon

[sharkbite]

Originally Posted by AstroViking

Just be aware that a firewall will only protect you from external sources trying to connect to your PC. Your network router should already be doing that, as it will be using NAT to hide your local network address from the wider Internet.

A firewall will NOT protect you from malicious websites, or any of the nasties that use your web browser to get in.

Pull up your PC's network information and I can pretty much guarantee your IP address will be of the form 192.168.X.Y. (There are other reserved IP address ranges, but I'm not going to get into them here.)

Then open a browser and hit any of the "what is my IP address" websites. The value it returns will be different.

Your WiFi gateway / modem-router / whatever is doing address translation to keep your PC's IP off the Internet. It's doing more, but I'm trying to keep things simple.

So, don't bother with a firewall. Invest in a good anti-virus / anti-malware program instead.

V.

Totally agree with this...


....and i know some watching wont like this, but the "more modern" Operating systems actually do a pretty good job for free as well...


XP,W7 are no longer 'safe' on the internet (sorry, that's just a fact)


My advice over and above what AstroViking has said:
- don't click on any dodgy looking links

- dont open email from people or sources you dont know
- stay away from "questionable" websites. (you know which ones i mean)




Also - some of the "alert" messages that pop up (more true for w10 and above) are actually "notifications" from dodgy sites that are engineered to look like a windows alert - and therefore direct the unwary to click on the dodgy link within.(you would have had to visit a dodgy site to get this in the first place)


I cant help much with this - its a complicated topic that can't be taught in the space of a forum post. Once you learn the difference, you can instruct w10 etc to ignore notification from these dodgy sources.


Peace. out. folks

[refractordude]

Hello There


I thank you all for the great replies

[netwolf]

It really depends could you elaborate on "locked things up"

1. End point protection , As others have mentioned there are Antivirus solutions that also incorporate Firewall , even Windows has a built in firewall option. There are dedicated Firewall options like ZoneAlarm (wow that brings back memories)

2. Home Border Protection. There are home network routers that come with some basic firewall options you can enable if not already done. If you have an Old PC you could build something and run several options, my first one was IPCOP now taken over by IPFire. Others like PFsense or Opensense, Untangle (paid), etc etc. Currently i use Firewalla Gold (there are cheaper options), as I find it easy to apply parental controls and monitor via phone app. Some home routers you buy offshelf may support OpenWRT which has better firewall features than what comes on the device. Some better firewalls will provide Intrusion Detection, and inspection also. But it again depends on how much you want to manage and can manage. Making a change and having your family scream that things are not working is not fun.

3. End User .... this one is the tough one being aware of what you open and click on or download and install. Being aware not to share information without thinking how it might be used. Insuring you initiate the conversation with banks and other agencies and enable 2 factor authentication. Be aware people who call you may not be who they say they are. When looking to call people for help insure your caling the right people and you can verify who they are. Use diffrent passwords and tools like BitWarden (or similar) to store passwords and generate random passwords for accounts. If you chose Google to create accounts on new sites be aware they just need to hack your google account and then all else is open to them.

4. Physical access, dont write down passwords. how are you locking your mobile devices so someone who finds them dose not gain access. For example many people now using smart locks etc if those locks are opened using an App on a phone, if the phone is compromised then so is the lock. Also if you have 2 factor authentication using SMS etc then if your phone is compromised then there is another breach point.

5. Who is listening ... Google, Amazon smart devices that you enable for voice control.. I have often wondered why my youtube is suddenly populated with videos of a subject i did not search for but was having a conversation about with family. Secure these devices and do some research b4 you buy on if they can be secured.

All of the above is dependent on the value of the information you are trying to protect.

[JeniSkunk (Jenifur)]

Originally Posted by netwolf

5. Who is listening ... Google, Amazon smart devices that you enable for voice control.. I have often wondered why my youtube is suddenly populated with videos of a subject i did not search for but was having a conversation about with family.

Not just spoken control app enabled IoT smart devices, but plain old manual searches as well, can be the driver of such unexpected unintended results.
Of late I've been watching some of the live tenpin bowling league streams on YouTube from Mt Warren Lanes. Because of that, on my Android phones, Google Maps is now asking me to review the bowling alley and answer a few quick questions about it, despite the fact that I've never been to the bowling alley at all.

edit: fix typo

[refractordude]

Hello there Jenifur and netwolf


Thanks for all the help. I am good now.