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Need a good "free" firewall
Computer (eMachine) at the office has WinXp-SP1---no firewall. Eaten up with infections. Didn't have any antivirus until I downloaded AVG (free). Found and deleted 15 viruses. Downloaded AdAware---found and deleted 336 infections. Downloaded SpyBot---found and deleted 25 infections. Running a heck of a lot better (naturally).
Now, I need a good "free" firewall to help stop this "mess". Have ordered SP2 CD; but, will take 4-6 weeks.
In the meantime, any suggestions for a good "free" firewall? Got a very "cheap" owner who does not understand computers at all.
Now, I need a good "free" firewall to help stop this "mess". Have ordered SP2 CD; but, will take 4-6 weeks.
In the meantime, any suggestions for a good "free" firewall? Got a very "cheap" owner who does not understand computers at all.
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Posted June 20th, 2006 23:00
Thanks Ron, I'll download ZA tomorrow. Now, if I can persuade him into spending $50.00 to beef up the Ram, he might have, somewhat, of a "fair" running old machine.
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Posted June 21st, 2006 08:00
Beneteau,Just a note about eMachines, particularly those a few years old. The motherboard is same as HP Pavilion (Imperial Tri-Gem). However, Bestec power supplies used by eMachines take out motherboard when they fail due to sudden power outage and/or voltage surge. Strongly recommend you use good quality UPS with surge protection on eMachines.Tony147
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Posted June 21st, 2006 19:00
Another vote for Zone Alarm.
You don`t have to wait 4-6 weeks. Download SP2 here. The sooner you install it the better as there are a lot of necessary patches for protection in it.
Disregard the info that says this version is only for installing on multiple computers on a network.
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Posted June 21st, 2006 20:00
I also use ZA free, but please note that there are several issues with the latest versions, 6.5.xxx (current is 6.5.772). See posts on ZA forum:Version 6.1.744.001 of ZA free is fine. You can download it from here:Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 06-21-200610:54 PM
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Posted June 21st, 2006 22:00
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments. Downloaded ZA today (don't know which version, at home now but will look tomorrow). Anything has to be better than the "nothing" that was on the eMachine eTower 766. Unfortunately, it has 2002 WinXP plus AVG, that I loaded yesterday, and ZA. The puter only has 128MB (original) of Ram and is, naturally, somewhat s l o w! Only has two (2) slots and, according to info on the net, can only accept 256MB maximum. But, at least, it's not "eaten" up with the garbage it did have.
Thanks, again!
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Posted June 24th, 2006 17:00
I'm afarid I knw you havent cleaned out all infections. Kinda a bringing of bad news. Get these 2 programs and update them first and list what you find. Xoftspy and Noadware.
RoHe
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Posted June 20th, 2006 23:00
ZoneAlarm version:6.1.744.001
TrueVector version:6.1.744.001
Driver version:6.1.744.001
Only thing I found is to turn off antiviral software before installing ZA, and turn it back on after rebooting once ZA is installed.
Once you got ZA (or other firewall) installed, go to Steve Gibson's site for free, intensive check of your settings to see if you left any holes.
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
Scroll down and read the info before pressing "proceed". Then test file sharing, common ports, all service ports, messenger spam, browser headers, etc.
Ron
Message Edited by RoHe on 06-20-200605:47 PM