So what's your opinion on Firewall's?

[Quakindude]

Over the years, I have run both hardware and software firewalls. However, on my last build, I've just been using my hardware firewall/router, WinXP's firewall and AVG Free. My intent here was to see what Joe Consumer has and use my computer like the average (ignorant) person.

The Army gives us Norton's Corporate Edition AV and FW for free. Normally, I have the AV and FW enabled and services pared down to almost nothing since I do all of my own updates. This goes a long way in helping to keep Norton's from being so bloated.

Here's what I've found. In the 6 weeks since using my new build with the hardware FW/router, AVG and the WinXP firewall, I've contracted three severe infections. All three of them required me to format C: and reimage my drive. Of particular note, and no, I don't normally use Limewire and the like, two of the infections were imbedded in audio files. One was a keylogger and the other two caused various problems, mainly having my entire collection of MP3's uploaded to some remote IP I never could actually find. Since I keep all of my MP3's on my external drive, I could tell it was pulling up the MP3's from the network activity and the drive activity indicator.

In all three cases, my AVG Antivirus was corrupted and inop. I couldn't use Panda or housecall as all network traffic would come to a halt if I tried to visit any online scanning site. Windows Defender actually alerted me to each infection except for the keylogger. That one, SpyBot identified and tried to remove, but couldn't.

So, the reason for my poll. I will be installing Norton's CE AV and FW software again.

[Tyreal]

I only use an antivirus now. I have a hardware firewall on my router so I don't see the point on running a software firewall.

[Panda Man]

I only have a hardware firewall. Never have had a problem since

Do yourself a favor and get NOD32 AV, it'll blow you away. Also, why didn't you just boot in safe mode and delete the keylogger yourself? You might also want to check my guide in the user reviews section for other suggestions :)

[gvblake22]

I have gone through lots of different combinations of the above. But currently I am am running the WinXP SP2 firewall and a free antivirus (Antivir). Most of the time though I usually run Zone Alarm and a free antivirus.

[Captain Crunch]

I use my dlink router fire wall, zone alarm, avg, dont like the windows fire wall!

[polobunny]

I'm using XP SP2 firewall with AntiVir and did not contract any severe infection. No infection at all to be precise. The problem lies within people surfing habits, not the software protecting them. ;D

Good luck with that bloated software. The only reason I see why it would keep you safer is it slows down your computer so much the virus/trojan would take ages to execute itself.

Read this though, if you're interested in selecting the best security option for your computer.
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/...p?id=82&mnu=82
Take note though that while some might protect your computer from virus, they will also greatly reduce your performance. Ultimately you want to take an anvitirus that has a good virus detection/performance ratio.
I tried a few of the top dogs, and must say I was not impressed with the performance (or something else)
Kaspersky, while being the best judging from this test, is much more slow than it used to be.
NOD32 is great, though personally I think it's slower than a few other solutions. However I don't like the whole "feel" of it.
I didn't like AntiVir when it first appeared on the market but I gave it another whirl. So far so good.
AVG is great too, but since AntiVir is better overall I see no reason to keep using it, if only for the heuristics. My surfing habits being quite good though there's little to no reason why I should choose it though.
Avast is great, doesn't eat too much ressources but god when it finds something infected (even only a file with a keylogged or trojan) it annoys me! There's this big siren thing going on that will literally make your ears bleed.

[Hitman]

I use Norton AV Corporate (probably the same military edition you use) XP firewall and my Linksys Router/firewall. I never get any infections, I barely get spyware, and never get popups.

[One4yu2c]

I like the freebie software solutions:

AVG Free Edition (anti-virus)
ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm (s/w firewall)
Spybot/Adaware/ASquared (I'm increasingly liking ASquared by the day)

[polobunny]

I heard good stuff about ASquared. Honeslty though I never bothered looking more deeply into it.

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by polobunny

The problem lies within people surfing habits, not the software protecting them.

That is very true. I've run without a firewall or antivirus of any kind for a long time before and never had a virus. I think I've only had two or three viruses during my entire time learning about and using computers. If you know what you are clicking on, downloading, openening, or running, then 99% of malicious code can be avoided.