No, it's very highly regarded with generally great reviews.  Even the first one in XP is very good.  It stops things coming in or out based on your configuration...what more do you need? 

Windows Firewall with MS Security Essentials is all you need and MSSE is now considered/reviewed the best of the AV/spyware software from many tech web sites/blogs.  And it's not bloatware like Norton or McAfee.  Even Zone Alarm is now overly bloated.

I avoid the bundled suites because it seems they include a bunch of unnecessary crap that slows down computers.  I think it's generally better to hunt & pick out individual programs to do each task.

I mentioned ZA free version for a firewall only, and mainly to notice/prevent outbound connections -- not outbound connections from malware/etc. so much as from 'legitimate' programs that are calling 'home' to report on things that aren't necessary IMO (although being notified of an outbound connection attempt is a good way to spot malware that's gotten through).

Windows firewall is pretty good, and has outbound protection, but it's more complicated to setup (The Wilders Security Forum link in my previous post has a good thread on setting up Windows firewall).  ZA free version is exceptionally easy to use.

For AV I use another program (free Avira atm), and have a router for a serious firewall, plus the usual malwarebytes, spybot, spywareblaster, MSSE, etc. to prevent attacks/infections.

Sorry if I was unclear or am misunderstanding...

Doc, you must not play any games.

As someone just into some games over the past year and a half, I have been severely frustrated by the lack of support from some of the developers. I ahve run across issues and found dozens of threads that cover these issues that the develepors will just let die with no resolution of any kind. Blizzard has to be on of the worst.

I had Yrag on the phone trying to figure out the last one. It took me three weeks to find a solution and it was from a non-gaming resource. I think the thread I started is still dead in Blizzards forum.

I can't say anything about Stardock as I do not own or play any of the games they have developed, but I would hope or think their support is as good as the support they offer with all of their skinning software.

The gaming industry is almost universal in crappy customer service. Then again, most of them don't have to worry about returns, and the rest often have a loyal following that will buy garbage as long as the proper series brand is slapped on it. I use Win Firewall myself because it has such a small footprint. I used to love Comodo on my XP machine, but when I switched to Win 7 64 it was just a mess. Comodo gave me a lot more information and control though. They might have fixed things since.

Well they did 'help', but not really. See for yourself if you want: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=288497

First I was given some jargon, then I was given a link to a 100-post thread that had jargon in every post and was a real-time account of someone experimenting with getting multiplayer to work with LnS. When I said I couldn't possibly understand it, I was told to ask what I don't understand. When I explained I don't understand it at all because of how advanced it was, I was ignore dand they starte having other conversations with other people. Eventually someone replied saying I had already been shown help, linking to the thread again.

So I said my...goodbyes.

Facepalm.

Thanks for the links, although I figure the one from 2005 might not be useful nowadays. Back when Norton and Windows Firewall were terrible, for example.

I AM the OP. >_>

I was only talking about the ZA firewall too, I already have an antivirus (NOD32).

Well, how queer.

Forums are flawed and are not a breeding ground for help, peace and happiness. Other than to ask something, people usually come on forums to complain or make themselves feel better by belittling others. This is exasperated by the fact that people who are given modding duties are people who spend their life, or too long, on the internet and thus go mad with their imaginary power. Some forum mods have 'factions' having a go at each other in their super-secret mod forum, while others talk about themselves like they're the FBI or mafia, it's nuts yet saddening.

Anyway, places like Lucas Arts' forums are dead, LnS (as mentioned) and Steam can be or is elitist, while Sports ineractive has a lot of fan interaction, feedback and developer posts and help, it's just that the regular users on there are generally none too sharp.

But it can be a different story contacting the developers themselves. I got a lot of help when Knights of the Old Republic wasn't working, it even got down to registry keys and other hallowed computer ground. Plenty of emails were exchanged without stopping, until it all worked out in the end.

It's important not to confuse a 30-something developer (with a house) with a 20-year-old forum regular (with issues).

Sounds like you might be part of the problem you seem to hate so much.

How ironic: It appears you are more the problem than I am.

If you were not, you would have explained the post I just quoted rather than posted for the sole reason to belittle someone, a word I in fact used in my original quote.

And you certainly wouldn't have made the ol' emotion assumption tactic, saying I "hate" something "so much", when hate nor any word with a similar definition was used by myself, and I have given no indication that I strongly hate it.

Troll fail.

ozzy, regarding firewalls (prefer free) on xp 32bit I use old zonealarm free, for later windows & 64bit I tend to use comodo firewall free, both with other antivirus programs eg avast & avira, but I have found that nod is one that has had to be rescued a few times from virii as has amost if not all of the other commerical and free antvirii programs.

harpo

Given the direction your replies have taken thus far, it kinda sounds like simply finding a good firewall isn't your only agenda....

Sometimes I wonder, "Why is that frisbee getting larger? Then it hits me." - S. Wright

Got Comodo here, too. Depending on the computer resources you're willing to dish out, it's a toss up between the IS or just the firewall. I'd recommend the firewall just so you could determine your own AV solution.

Your rant speaks for itself. Feel free to continue to abuse and overuse the word troll though to make yourself feel better. I already responded to your original request. Your elitist attitude doesn't change the recommendations being handed to you on a forum of all places.

Looks like a choice between Comodo and Windows then. Sounds silly, but I'm leaning towards Comodo because (as well as the good reviews), it feels more like there's something there protecting.

You'll have a lot more control with Comodo. It can get annoying because if even the slightest change happens to a program you've given permission to already, it will block it again and ask for permission again. The same goes for programs that are linked to a program you've given permission too. It's more of an issue with older games when I was using it, because it would freeze everything when some games tried to connect and couldn't. Comodo just has more maintance involved. Windows Firewall, on the other hand, is more of a set it and forget it kind of firewall. IF the performance issue with Comodo and Win 7 64 is fixed like Jafo says it might be, I will probably switch back. I just like having that control and being able to see everything that's passing through the network. That's my 2 cents, for what it's worth from a you know... troll.

Well, chalk that up to Comodo's paranoia. I call Comodo's entire Internet Security as a paranoid security suite, which isn't entirely all that bad. I like it being paranoid: as soon as you think something's amiss, fire up its scanners and voila! You'll find a suspicious heur file that seemed to pass through another AV's choking grasp.

Of course, this isn't without a cost in computer resources. The firewall itself will log every intrusion attempted and drop 'em like they're hot - even if it means eating 75% of your processing power just to keep you safe.

With version 5, they've included cloud computing to the mix. I'm not sure what it does completely, but I'm willing to think it's what's eating my CPU.

"This is exasperated by the fact that people who are given modding duties are people who spend their life, or too long, on the internet and thus go mad with their imaginary power."

The 'power' is predicated upon the apparent need for some to really not want to be removed from such a banal entity as a website.

Those who truly are ambivalent won't even consider it a 'power' and thus will be indifferent to it's application.

That said, thanks for lumping all forum mods into such a 'saddening' group.

It's appreciated.

I have to say, Wincustomize's mods, wizops, etc......all the way up to Brad are some of the most helpful, tolerant, and patient folks I have run across in ANY forum. They don't get the credit they deserve for all they do and this ain't 'sucking up', it's a fact.

As for what I went through on Blizzards forums...I did go to the developers after banging my head against the wall in the forums. I came away empty handed there as well. I finally found the answer to my issue and posted it back in the forum at Blizzard. My experience on most other forums have been similar to what I went through on Blizzard.

I have to speak up on this. I like to think I pay attention and can call 'em like I see 'em. On this particular site, Wincustomize, what I have observed is that the 'mods' they chose to bestow that title on are quite knowledgeable in the workings of the site, the software (as it pertains to skinning), and in skinning in general. There are a lot of folks who may appear to fall into the category of 'spend their life, or too long, on the internet' hanging around here, but that does not automatically qualify them for the title of 'mod'. And I haven't seen any 'abuse' that privilige once given it (Keeping an eye on the Doc, though. I always thought he would be the one to go on a power trip. He;'s right on the edge, ya know.   )

Anyway...I kind of take offense to lumping all the forums together like that. It's the kind of elitest statement I would expect from one of those 'mods' you claim to disdain.

Personally, I've always put you in your own 'very special' group. Having a lone target is much easier to hit.....

Good, glad that 'your ordeal' has been resolved to your satisfaction.

Now, since we helped you how about you returning the favor......

....find the closest exit and don't let the door hit you the ass. In your case that could result in serious head trauma. 

The Amazing Yrag... Do you read palms as well as you read minds? 

Serious Business.

I didn't expect my little explanation would cause such a fuss. For those looking to score points or meaningless 'win', you need to look at yourselves, see how you're reacting and realise why...Those who are 'offended' (WTF???), maybe that's a sign of guilt or maybe you do spend a little too much time on the internet. Not being nasty, just honestly what I see.

Seriously, offended? Seriously?

No matter though, as Comodo seems to have won. Appreciation to the sensible types who posted.

I just tried Comodo's firewall for the first time in a while.  The web installer installed 5.0, even though 5.3 is available.  (Really?  It's practically 2011.  This is still happening?)  BattleForge repeatedly crashed when setting up a map for some bizarre reason I can't fathom.  Defense+ still annoys the crap out of me also.

I installed 5.3 just now and the jury is still out, but at least BattleForge works and I disabled Defense+.

Honestly I'd probably be better off sticking with Windows Firewall, but I like messing with things.  Character flaw I suppose.

Also Annatar11, Windows Firewall comes with Windows, not with Microsoft Security Essentials   And on another note, XPs firewall is significantly weaker than the one in Vista and 7.

[quote who="Savyg" reply="47" id="2857129"]I just tried Comodo's firewall for the first time in a while.  The web installer installed 5.0, even though 5.3 is available.  (Really?  It's practically 2011.  This is still happening?)  BattleForge repeatedly crashed when setting up a map for some bizarre reason I can't fathom.  Defense+ still annoys the crap out of me also.

I installed 5.3 just now and the jury is still out, but at least BattleForge works and I disabled Defense+.

Honestly I'd probably be better off sticking with Windows Firewall, but I like messing with things.  Character flaw I suppose.[quote]

Good thing about free stuph is that it can be removed just as easily and replaced with other free stuphs.

This is noted. I have XP.

Comodo firewall is completely free and the absolute best firewall out there. Others above have recommended it, and it's true, it is the best. I have tried most firewalls, and nothing is as simple and powerful and smart as comodo. And you don't have to pay a dime for it (there's no dumbed down version that's free while a stronger one is for sale; none of that). Give it a try:

http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/

I admit my connection is a bit wonky to begin with, but it was definately not friendly with my online gaming.  I uninstalled it already.