Best Firewall Software

[8ace]

I know, but if you have outgoing problems, then you have a virus or other already. Like I said, my HTPC is pretty much locked down.

hey.. . did you have any problems getting GBPVR to work with non-admin rights?
I can only get it to work as admin... maybe some kind of folder permissioning issue or something :confused:

[ioan]

On my HTPC I only use the windows Firewall behind a router (low overhead and negligible threat).

Same here, on all may home computers I have the windows firewall enabled and I'm behind a router. I use only Firefox with adblock and I have Privoxy installed for IE (if somebody wants to use it). Never had any kind of security problems.

I, for one, am totally against installing any kind of third party software firewall or antivirus on any of my machines. Antivirus software will slow your machine down between 2 and 50 percent (depends of the software and the paranoid settings you have).

If I ever get a virus on my machines (didn't happen yet) I will be happier to reinstall everything and have a clean, fast machine than to slow it down from the beginning with antivirus or firewall software.

Now, for people who are computer illiterate, people who click on all the banners and adds that tell them "your computer is in great danger", now they need all the security available.

-ioan

PS: don't forget to always backup your important documents (pictures, etc).

[Fatman_do]

hey.. . did you have any problems getting GBPVR to work with non-admin rights?
I can only get it to work as admin... maybe some kind of folder permissioning issue or something :confused:

XP or Vista? I am running XP.

[Deusxmachina]

I know, but if you have outgoing problems, then you have a virus or other already. Like I said, my HTPC is pretty much locked down.

If I ever get a virus on my machines (didn't happen yet) I will be happier to reinstall everything and have a clean, fast machine than to slow it down from the beginning with antivirus or firewall software.

If the virus software doesn't catch the virus right away (or ever), and it has already connected out and passed along any info it was trying to pass along, that might be a problem.

I think most people who have never used a full firewall would be shocked to see how often even "legit" programs want to make an outgoing connection for sometimes who knows what reason. *cough* Google Chrome Updater *cough*

Looking at my usage right now, my antivirus is using 2mb of memory and 0 CPU. My firewall is using 16mb and 0 CPU. And I also have a defragmenter running right now, which an antivirus program supposedly kicks in hard for if you leave it on.

I think you're both crazy, but hey.

[Fatman_do]

I am not worried. Nothing is getting in on my HTPC. Nothing can install and web sites allowed are about half a dozen.

Most of google's apps check for updates, even the toolbars. Those aren't on my HTPC either. If my HTPC sees more than an hour of web browsing a month, it would be rare.