OK so LzD does not like Zonealarm, what does that mean? If this is forum moderators making the statement then reasons should be given. If this is just a member reporting his/her findings then that is a valid opinion and should be read as such. Zonealarm is far and away the most popular free firewall out there. Of course there will be detractors, many do not like Microsoft but continue to use their products.

I have used Zonealarm ever since I first went online and for the most part I have been more than satisfied, still have it on one machine running smoothly. A few months ago I had problems and could not decide if Zonealarm or AVG caused the issue, I cured that by removing both from that computer.

My other 2 computers currently running have the PC Tools firewall installed. Which is best? I have no idea but I feel all 3 computers are well protected.

I would strongly suggest you avoid Comodo because that requires much more user input to the point of being annoying. No doubt an excellent firewall but I got fed up with the constant pop ups.

Remember, this too is just an opinion.

Here is a link that might be useful: PC Tools free firewall

I agree Comodo is a pain tried for a while and uninstalled.

I think security products come down to personal preference and you may have to try a few to see the ones you like.

(I think) The reason Zone alarm has been shunned at some security sites is it installs the Ask tool bar.

exactly as Zep stated, zonealarm has long been given by the help forums as a very good firewall and it is definitely a good firewall, however they made a very bad judgement call and began adding the dreaded ask toolbar in with the zonealarm free, they do these things to make money of course from Ask.com but that combination was very upsetting to the security and help community since Ask toolbar is in and of itself malware.
hence when you have a good product that now installs malware along with the good product it can no longer be recommended by fourms which are there to REMOVE malware from your system.
so that is why they can no longer recommend it.
However it is a fine firewall and you can definitely use it I use it on my pc BUT DO NOT ALLOW IT TO INSTALL THE TOOLBAR that is the most important thing to remember you do not want that on your pc.

So feel free to go with zonealarm since you are familiar with it.

Comodo is often a bit much for some people.

also when you go to get zonealarm be sure you get the actual FREE one and not the free trial which is actually the one you would then have to pay for.

I seem to recollect when I put Zonealarm on someone's computer recently and clicked to not have the Ask bar installed it did install it anyway and I had to go in and remove it afterwards. Just be aware.

I use the Ashampoo firewall. I paid for mine but they do have a free one. It is a good one. I have no affiliation with the website other than a satisfied user of the products I purchased from them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ashampoo website

Thanks to the ones who explained why LzD doesn't recommend ZA.. I should have explained it myself.. SORRY.. I don't seem to have the ask toolbar so I guess I was lucky. I don't like all these toolbars so I'm sure I clicked not to install it. It seems to be serving me well. I'll give him these names & he can check them out. I have found out U can't just grab any ole firewall or any download these days.
Thanks again,
Dar

The only free ones I know of are in the link below, and the pc tools thing owbist mentions

Here is a link that might be useful: free-firewal

Dar,

Here, there and everywhere the Internet reports are just opinions. And like noses everyone has an opinion. It is up to the user to evaluate the opinions and make the informed decision for themselves. Then in time they too will have an opinion to share with others.

I have yet to find a member at any forum who knows everything, that their word is absolute, and they walk on water. Admittedly some think they do.

DA

I looked and didn't find it on mine. Then I looked for more info on the net and found they call it zone alarm spy blocker and found it in "add and remove" under that name.

Stargazzer,
I have Zone Alarm in my add-delete.. I was talking about Ask toolbar. I'm sure I don't have it. I do have Yahoo & AVG security tool bar. I guess I could get rid of them but don't know how. I don't have them active. Maybe AVG should be active. Should it be?
Dar

ask tool bar is what i searched for and found that ZA calls it spy blocker. ZA Spy blocker was listed in my add and remove section.

The site below is not the one that told how to remove it, but it does explain that it is the ask toolbar/spy blocker

Here is a link that might be useful: spy blocker

My pick is "Norton Internet Securuty". Its not free, but it works and has a firewall among a bunch of other things. A three seat version is available (may be intalled in 3 different computers, thereby making it economical per computer).

Remember to turn off the Windows firewall when you enable a third party firewall such as the one in Norton.

Running two firewalls can be problematic.