Firewall to replace Comodo

[SetTainte]

I'm having a small problem with my X220t running W7 64 bit.

My firewall Comodo is continously running processor 25 %.
--> the battery lasts only less than 2½ hours and the laptop is running hot.

I have uninstalled the firewall twice. The first 5-7 days it runs smooth but then something goes wrong and there is 25 % processor load all the time.

I have only used Comodo for past 3 years.
Comodo also seems to be the sovereign number 1 in all the reviews:

http://personal-firewall-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

http://www.consumersearch.com/firewalls

http://www.all-internet-security.com/top_10_firewall_software.html

http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-firewall.htm  

So I could have use for your recommendations for my next firewall =) 

[buddinggeek]

Just my 2cents here

I think Windows Firewall is good enough to run  provided you are running Vista or Win7. The 64Bit version of Win7 also has additional security enhancements than its 32bit counterpart. 
Which AV are you using?

[SetTainte]

ESET NOD32 AntiVirus.

[Bugbatter]

Good choice in AV's. As far as the firewall, give vijaysaradhi's suggestion a try. I'm running Win 7 Pro 64-bit with the Windows Firewall, and am very happy with it.

[pagroundhog]

Hello,

I know this post is old but hopefully some will find my response helpful in deciding whether or not to use a commercial software firewall.

Unsolicited Incoming Traffic

These are usually incoming attacks on your IP address from an unknown source. The built-in Windows 7 firewall is perfect for blocking unsolicited incoming traffic. Moreover, if you have a hardware firewall router, it will block all unsolicited traffic before it gets to your Windows 7 firewall.

Solicited Incoming Traffic

This occurs when you unknowingly access a website that intends to download a trojan and/or malware to your computer. These trojans and/or malware plant a seed on your computer to be executed immediately or periodically. The key to preventing the planting of this seed is to never let it get onto your computer; therefore, it must be identified (and blocked) before it is downloaded. A good antivirus program (I use Avast) should be able to warn you of these seeds and give you the chance to abort the internet connection. However, if it does get onto your computer, then you are faced with a different set of circumstances where a commercial firewall might benefit in identifying any leakage. This is where a trojan or malware has successfully been planted on your computer and decides to wake up, do its intended job, and then access the internet for its intended purpose. Read more about leakage and commercial firewall test results here:

http://www.matousec.com/info/articles/introduction-firewall-leak-testing.php

Personally, I use the basic Windows 7 firewall with a hardware router firewall on the front end. I am confident that my antivirus will warn me if I access a website that is attempting to download a trojan or malware to my computer and it will give me a chance to abort the connection beforehand. Also, I do not access wifi hotspots (which would change my front end protection) or anyone else's internet connection. In my case, I also determined that I do not need Windows Defender so I turned it off to save resources. In fact, the Action Center even warned me that I had two malware programs running at the same time.

In summary, there is no "one size fits all" here so please do your homework!

Good luck!

[isabelle1875]

I wouldn't use the Windows Firewall as i don't feel it's safe enough( maybe i'm wrong).

I usually use Comodo or ZoneAlarm.

You can try Outpost also.

[pagroundhog]

Hello Isabelle,

I actually disagree; in that, the windows firewall has never been breached (as far as I know) by unsolicited incoming traffic (i.e.., like dos attacks targeting your ip address while your computer is sitting idle and online). In fact, some commercial firewalls actually leave some incoming ports open for their specific use and if the attacker matches their attack to that open port, then you might be in trouble. So, here is a website that can check to ensure your firewall does not have any open ports that might be prone to attack.: http://www.grc.com/default.htm

Once there, scroll down the page and click on the "ShieldsUP!" link, then click "proceed", and on the next page click on the "All Service Ports" to start the test.

Of course there are many benefits attributable to a commercial firewall:

PROS:

Many provide enhanced protection by learning your PC/surfing habits to improve the blocking of outgoing attempts by unknown programs. Some of these unknown programs might have gotten passed your antivirus/malware protection and were unknowingly downloaded onto your PC. This is why a very good antivirus/malware program is needed "up front."

CONS:

Most are real resource hogs and an administrative pain in the neck too!

In summary, if you are comfortable and happy with your current configuration, then I would stay with it!

[Bugbatter]

---

isabelle1875 wrote:

 i don't feel it's safe enough

---

What are you basing your opinion on? 

---

pagroundhog wrote:

CONS:

Most are real resource hogs and an administrative pain in the neck too!

 There are also the upsell notices that keep popping up when the vendor adds a new product. When I had ZoneAlarm years ago, I was constantly getting these requesting that I add their other paid software.

[ColonelONeill]

I'm on Kaspersky 2011, and all of it's non-interaction warnings can be totally disabled. It's a bit heavier on CPU usage, but way lighter on RAM than something like MSE.

Windows Firewall is pretty outstanding by itself in Windows 7, though.

[MrPeter1985 Guru]

hmmm, since your paying for them both (eset and comodo) why not just go with ESET's suite? It has a firewall.

I've been using Eset Business Security Suite 4 now for about a year now and love it. No issues, and no slow downs. Can't tell its there.
My 2 cents.