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Flamin' Walls

23:20 / 13.12.02

Ok, so since getting broadband I've become a little worried about the always on, always broadcasting the same IP address aspect of the service. So much so that I'm considering adding a firewall to my retinue of virus checker, ad-killer, and IP tracing software, but am a little uncertain of which to go for.

Do any of you use a firewall on your home PC, and, if so, do you recommend a certain type. I'd preferably like to spend roughly no pounds on this venture, but could be willing to part with a little cash if I could ensure that the software was pretty solid (something with regular updates would be ideal).

23:34 / 13.12.02

www.zonealarm.com

All that's necessary for Windows, as far as I can see. I use the free version and I'm perfectly satisfied with it.

10:10 / 14.12.02

I use the free Zonealarm too, but this one's supposed to be good as well, and reportedly uses less memory.

You'll get loads of warnings, but very nearly all will be benign attempts at connection, just background net activity -- switch off the pop-up messages and don't sweat it unless something looks really wrong.

Software firewalls aren't invincible. I've read that getting an old machine and using that as a firewall machine is much better, and I think I'd consider this if I had the gold service with a fixed IP address and plans to make my machine a server. Don't ask me how you do that though :-)