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Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Other > Computers, Gaming & The Internet > Computing Help and Support

FLY SPITTA

Jul 4 2006, 09:03 PM

Can someone please help me with my Firewall. We bought this computer off my Dad's friend for $200 bucks it's a E Machine not to good comp, but it will do. ( We Got DSL so it's Fast ) Anyways It came with Norton AntiVirus Firewall already installed. Now it keeps poping up everytime I turn the computer on saying
YOUR VIRUS PROTECTION WILL EXPIRE ON 7/31/06

I thought Fire Walls Did Not Expire! I clicked upgrade now, but it's trying to get me to buy a whole new one for $40.00!!! What am I suppose to do so this means my Fire Wall is going to not work no more? I thought once you installed one it will always work!?

<bleeding_heart>

Jul 4 2006, 09:39 PM

With Norton and other paid subscription anti-virus and firewalls you pay every year to be able to download updates and virus definitions whoever had the comp before you was paid up until 7/31/06.

You can either pay for a subscription or look at free alternatives such as Avast!, ZoneAlarm, Kerio PF etc.

FLY SPITTA

Jul 4 2006, 10:16 PM

Thanks what would be the best free Firewall that you would suggest? Because I know there will be no way to pay $40 for a upgrade right now....

<bleeding_heart>

Jul 5 2006, 09:02 PM

Avast For Anti-Virus you have to subscribe every year but it's free.

Kerio Personal Firewall It starts out in an all features mode then after a while asks you to pay, just say no and it goes into a free mode.

I used to put these two on systems I'd fix and they worked great, low on resources, low maintainance and above all they work. But as with all security programs they aren't 100% so its upto you to watch what your doing.

Celumnaz

Jul 6 2006, 08:59 PM

Is Keiro better than Zone Alarm?

Downloaded Avast a few weeks ago, so far am Very happy with it.

I use ZoneAlarm, Avast, and PestPatrol

All of them have free versions, but I've paid for full support for ZoneAlarm and PestPatrol.

<bleeding_heart>

Jul 7 2006, 02:41 AM

Well I used to use ZoneAlarm Pro but after constant trouble with updates, the Anti-Virus component being about as strong as a wet paper bag, poor support and high resource usage I gave up on it.

That said if it works well for you stick with it. Personally I'd choose Kerio every time.

I can't give you a descent comparison from a quality source all the ones I found were evenly split but they seemed to decide the "best" by which UI the reviewer thought was prettier rather than on any technical merits.

FLY SPITTA

Jul 7 2006, 03:36 AM

Basically I just need something to keep viruses from downloading music
that's mostly what I do is download music and surf the web.
So something to keep my music downloads virus free.

Celumnaz

Jul 7 2006, 12:54 PM

That's more Virus and Parasite (pest... there's other names for them) than Firewall.

Check out Avast (free antivirus) and a pest program (I use Pest Patrol)

thanks for the tip on Keiro bleeding heart.

Dan'O

Jul 8 2006, 10:54 PM

Anubi

Jul 21 2006, 11:23 AM

I used to use ZoneAlarm. It locks parts of the registry thou that microsoft IE 7 needs to instal to , causing installation failures. So I had to kick into the kerb.

I found a much much nicer firewall .. Comodo at .

comodo

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