Recommend a good free internet security program please part 1

PooMan UK

Has anyone got any good recommendations on some good "easy to use" free internet security software please ?

I help out quite a few Silver Surfers (old age pensioners) around my area as a sort of help the community kinda thing. I do it for nothing as allot of the old folks don't have 2 ha-pennies to rub together and I hate it when they get ripped off by the large IT companies out there that just wanna take them for all that they have.
Thing is I use a paid for internet security program and I haven't really played with any freeware programs in this field that are out there.
I'm looking for something that is really basic with minimal user intervention, that will keep them fairly safe as lately I've had a spate of malware and adware problems that I've had to help sort out.

90% of them are using AVG for normal virus like activity but allot of them are getting duped by fake "anti virus" programs like "Antivirus 2010" and multiple malware programs etc.

I've done some research into the following but would like to have your opinions on the best way forward ...

Online Armor
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
PC Tools Firewall Plus
PrivateFirewall
Comodo Firewall Pro
Agnitum Outpost Firewall

PS. quite a few of the PC's are entry level, so could you also give an indication on any performance issues as this would also be greatly appreciated.

Nick

LiquidSnak

Comodo is a very interactive firewall, but I really enjoy it, and it's very friendly. It also has an anti-virus as well. A lot of my IT friends recommend zonealarm as well.

Petey7

I highly recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). Lets just say I don't always stick to "safe surfing" and MSE has never failed me in the year or so since the first beta was released. I also recommend Comodo firewall (only the firewall) for XP users. Vista and 7 users should be fine with windows firewall.

karlsnooks

The number one choice of the vast majority of those answering questions here is:
MSE - Microsoft Security Essentials

ken9122

I would just go with Microsoft Security Essentials. It's free takes little or no setup and is very effective for the average user even using XP. Forget all the fancy suites and add-on firewalls. Keep it simple.

Ken

CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by LiquidSnak

Comodo is a very interactive firewall, but I really enjoy it, and it's very friendly. It also has an anti-virus as well. A lot of my IT friends recommend zonealarm as well.

I do not recommend Zone Alarm for a Win 7 system. It is almost guaranteed to cause crashes on most Win 7 systems. We work BSOD's nearly everyday where ZoneAlarm is the cause or one of the causes. I do use ZA on my XP system.

spyknee

I use MSE on W7 and XP machines.

The Howling Wolves

Nick,
I would have your Silver Gleaner's use MSE AV and either Comodo or Windows Firewall.
Used both for awhile and have had no issue's.
That is awful nice of you to take care of these lovely folks and not charge them for your services.
You rewards will come later.
Dennis

karlsnooks

Rreading the thread starter's original post, then the only answer is:
Microsoft Security Essentials which will automatically set up Windows Firewall for you. Truly a turn-key operation.

If you want one-stop shopping then Microsoft Security Essentials is the answer. This is the one and only anti-virus/anti-malware on my computers and is the only product I install on other computers. I've never had anyone displeased with MSE.

Incidentally, I'm also an old geezer. Just have been doing this kind of thing for more years than most forum members are old.

tw33k

I agree with most here Nick. For the people you are talking about, you can't go wrong with MSE and Windows Firewall. If you want/need more control of the firewall, just add Windows 7 Firewall Control : Sphinx Software

LiquidSnak

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I do not recommend Zone Alarm for a Win 7 system. It is almost guaranteed to cause crashes on most Win 7 systems. We work BSOD's nearly everyday where ZoneAlarm is the cause or one of the causes. I do use ZA on my XP system.

Did not know this, thanks for the info and I will pass it along as well, if you don't mind

CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by LiquidSnak

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I do not recommend Zone Alarm for a Win 7 system. It is almost guaranteed to cause crashes on most Win 7 systems. We work BSOD's nearly everyday where ZoneAlarm is the cause or one of the causes. I do use ZA on my XP system.

Did not know this, thanks for the info and I will pass it along as well, if you don't mind

Certainly, it may help someone avoid problems.

PooMan UK

Thanks very much for everyone's comments and input. It's really appreciated.
Looks as if MSE is the way to go.

Golden

�� Quote: Originally Posted by PooMan UK

Has anyone got any good recommendations on some good "easy to use" free internet security software please ?

I've done some research into the following but would like to have your opinions on the best way forward ...

Online Armor
ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
PC Tools Firewall Plus
PrivateFirewall
Comodo Firewall Pro
Agnitum Outpost Firewall


Nick

Antivirus: MSE
Firewall: Online Armor / Comodo

Zonealarm has already been mentioned as causing trouble, but it�s also a bad firewall.

Windows firewall is also bad, i know because i�ve tested different firewalls with Comodo�s Leak Test (CLT) & CPIL, and Windows firewall wasn�t any good.

Outpost-free doesn�t work on Windows 7 (officially), although i discovered how to make it work.

karlsnooks

I have used AVG Free in the past. You may want to consider that too...

thefabe

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

I have used AVG Free in the past. You may want to consider that too...

many people have used AVG, including myself, before MSE was available....

but AVG is also causing trouble, there are other threads about it.....
take a look at the forum.

do NOT use AVG !

yowanvista

�� Quote: Originally Posted by PooMan UK

Thanks very much for everyone's comments and input. It's really appreciated.
Looks as if MSE is the way to go.

A wise decision and glad that we could provide you with information to assist you in your decision making.

malexous

I also would say MSE or Avast home free

Guest

MSE with MBAM

Guest

Leak tests aren't a good way of showing how well a firewall will protect you. Windows 7 Firewall is fine but if using an earlier Windows operating system, you should use a 3rd party firewall for outbound protection.

Just changing anti-virus isn't good enough, in my opinion. No anti-virus is 100%, especially against rogue/fake applications.

You should educate them more on what they should look out for. If you don't have the time, find a good article that you can link them all to/print out. An example regarding fake anti-virus:

Show them what their anti-virus' pop-up should look like. If they get a message claiming an infection, whether or not it looks like it comes from their anti-virus or something else, tell them to close their browser (though, some malicious scripts will prevent it), update their anti-virus and on-demand anti-malware and do a complete/full, successive scan.

soho1

Microsoft Security Essentials. This product has definitely raised Microsoft's reputation with users.

PooMan UK

Just a little feedback ....

I've installed MSE on 5 of the silver surfers so far (still got quite a few to go) but so far so good. Haven't heard a peep from them yet, they all seem pretty happy.

2 morrow gonna try and install it on 10+ pc's at the old age home up the road. Might get a bit of a caffeine rush as they always pump me full of the stuff whenever I visit but they are a great bunch and we always have a good laugh.

Thanks once again for all the replies

Nick

The Howling Wolves

You deserve a REP just for helping the Silver Surfer's. I have to spread the goods around but will catch you when I can rep you!
That is really nice of you to help those folks.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by The Howling Wolves

You deserve a REP just for helping the Silver Surfer's.

I agree...and done.

~Maxx~
.

CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by The Howling Wolves

You deserve a REP just for helping the Silver Surfer's. I have to spread the goods around but will catch you when I can rep you!
That is really nice of you to help those folks.

+2. I agree.

Corrine

�� Quote: Originally Posted by The Howling Wolves

You deserve a REP just for helping the Silver Surfer's.

+3. I also agree and done!

Jacee

Nick, please install Spyware Blaster on those machines too. It's "pro-active" but it does need to be updated to work against 'drive-by malware'. (update weekly or monthly)
Once updated, always check "enable all protection".
SpywareBlaster� | Prevent spyware and malware. Free download.

Tutorial Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware, Hijackers, and Malware

madtownidiot

If you want a good all around free internet security suite Comodo Internet Security is currently the most effective available option, but it's still not very easy to set up correctly. For people with serious pebkac problems, (Silver surfers of above average intelligence but a lack of computer sense and failing memory usually belong in that category), I install CIS and configure it using the built in administrator account, password protect it after applying a policy that blocks downloads from unsigned vendors, disable the admin acct from a local login. Then tell them if they can't get to a site they're trying to go to it's because the AV detected something wrong about the page.. None of the computers I've installed comodo to in this manner have come back except for unrelated issues even though I've been getting a steadily increasing customer base. Apparently it's working pretty well.

Maxxwire

Another new feature that Comodo 2011 now features is malware domain filtering using the COMODO SecureDNS service. This should appeal to everyone concerned with having a safer online experience including the Silver Surfers which means while browsing the internet, if you are about to browse a known malware site, SecureDNS will inform you before proceeding.

~Maxx~
.

PooMan UK

Thanks all for the rep, that was very kind of you.

@Jacee

Thanks for the link I will try it out when I go back to see them all.

@madtownidiot

Thanks for the info. I initially was going to use Comodo, but after a bit of testing and the suggestions I've received here I've decided to go with MSE.
It doesn't seem to be to as recourse hungry as Comodo, (some of the pc's are hand me downs and are quite small) plus it doesn't need much user intervention which is very important as some of older groups do very basic e-mail and internet browsing ... and quite allot of on-line bingo

But thanks again everyone, you really are a great bunch.
Seven Forums truly is a great place to hang out and has some fantastic members

+rep to sevenforums

Nick

spyknee

MSE.
I was happy to discover it. I think its great that MS provided some 1st party app that is above and beyond retail box, for free. First used it with W7 box. Started to look for XP box's and bingo, its available now. Grabbed it right up.
Used to pay for 3rd party app, Trend Micro. Worked great at first but by 2007 version, nothing but trouble.

MSE is not perfect, but common sense must also play some part.

CarlTR6

I did not know MSE was available for XP.

madtownidiot

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I did not know MSE was available for XP.

Yes it is. And it works pretty well even in very old xp machines

ken9122

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I did not know MSE was available for XP.

I have it several XP machines. Works just as good as it does on Win 7

Ken

spyknee

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I did not know MSE was available for XP.

Ah HA,
Looks like a pup can teach the old dog a trick. LOL

Quite possibly these forums in another thread educated moi. Been so long I forget.

Skulblaka

Microsoft Security Essentials

I highly recommend it, and so do many people here.

LiquidSnak

Petey7: Microsoft Security Essentials

karlsnooks: Microsoft Security Essentials

ken9122: Microsoft Security Essentials

spyknee: MSE

The Howling Wolves: MSE

tw33k: MSE

hackerman1: MSE

thefabe: MSE

yowanvista: MSE

soho1: Microsoft Security Essentials

Skulblaka: Microsoft Security Essentials

madtownidiot: MSE



I just had to sum it all up for the lol's

madtownidiot

you can add my name to the list for MSE recommendations.. I use it in xp machines and for people who are likely to screw up their system if I were to install Comodo..besides, if you get a virus after you install MSE, you get to blame Microsoft for it.

yowanvista

Comodo Internet Security does a good job too

CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by spyknee

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I did not know MSE was available for XP.

Ah HA,
Looks like a pup can teach the old dog a trick. LOL

Quite possibly these forums in another thread educated moi. Been so long I forget.

Oh yes, I learn everyday here.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by yowanvista

Comodo Internet Security does a good job too

I've used over a dozen iterations of CIS since v3.8 and the most recent v5.0 release is better than ever and even more user friendly with greatly enhanced State of the Art layered default-deny protection.

~Maxx~
.

CarlTR6

Actually, I don't think it is as user friendly as was the previous version. I am using it; but I like the older version much better. This version is certainly not intuitive.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

This version is certainly not intuitive.

How do you mean not intuitive?

~Maxx~
.

CarlTR6

I have a very hard time finding my way around in it. It is difficult for me to find the list of programs blocked, allowed, ask. It took two clicks to get there in the previous version. I want easy access to the programs list. I am strongly considering going back to Windows Firewall with the addon for ease of use.

The Howling Wolves

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I have a very hard time finding my way around in it. It is difficult for me to find the list of programs blocked, allowed, ask. It took two clicks to get there in the previous version. I want easy access to the programs list. I am strongly considering going back to Windows Firewall with the addon for ease of use.

Carl,
I use MSE, windows firewall, and MBAM just for the ease to use.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I have a very hard time finding my way around in it. It is difficult for me to find the list of programs blocked, allowed, ask. It took two clicks to get there in the previous version.

You're right the Comodo GUI has changed. The Firewall Rules you are looking for are called Network Security Policy and is still just 2 clicks away. I know what you mean by
it being hard to find because I also had a difficult time getting used to the new GUI layout myself for the first few weeks I had v5.0 installed.

~Maxx~
.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by The Howling Wolves

I use MSE, windows firewall, and MBAM just for the ease to use.

I also use MBAM as an on demand scanner ever since A-Squared Free stopped offering a context menu scanner and although it works very well I found that the Hitman Pro Second Opinion Cloud Scanner many times will find Malware that MBAM misses and a full scan of the 22.5 GB of data on my HDD takes just over 1 minute to complete plus its free.

~Maxx~
.

CarlTR6

Just a question has anyone even tried Microsoft Security Essencials? i mean its totally free and it works great iv had it for about 1 year now and i have not had a single problem.

Guest

Yes, many of us have tried it and use it. Just read through this thread. In the Crashes and Debugging section, the BSOD team recommends MSE daily.

Guest

Ahh sorry my stupid school computers block the loading of random posts sorry!

CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I have a very hard time finding my way around in it. It is difficult for me to find the list of programs blocked, allowed, ask. It took two clicks to get there in the previous version.

You're right the Comodo GUI has changed. The Firewall Rules you are looking for are called Network Security Policy and is still just 2 clicks away. I know what you mean by
it being hard to find because I also had a difficult time getting used to the new GUI layout myself for the first few weeks I had v5.0 installed.

~Maxx~
.

Even there, it seems to no longer show a complete list of programs as it did before.

mitchell65

Nick
Although I am really one of "the old folks" I run a similar sevice to yourself. Slightly off topic but I have managed to cut down my home visits by using Team Viewer. It really does do what it say on the tin. I tend to let the person I am helping do the work while I watch and help as we go along. I think that is better than taking control and doing it myself. Just a thought to help ease your commitment but don't give up the visits all together, they are often more important than getting the PC to work properly.

madtownidiot

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

I have a very hard time finding my way around in it. It is difficult for me to find the list of programs blocked, allowed, ask. It took two clicks to get there in the previous version.

You're right the Comodo GUI has changed. The Firewall Rules you are looking for are called Network Security Policy and is still just 2 clicks away. I know what you mean by
it being hard to find because I also had a difficult time getting used to the new GUI layout myself for the first few weeks I had v5.0 installed.

~Maxx~
.

Even there, it seems to no longer show a complete list of programs as it did before.

Read the manual.. That's what it's there for.. Hopefully Comodo won't follow in the path of most other software companies by "streamlining the user interface" (moronizing by removing features)

PooMan UK

�� Quote: Originally Posted by mitchell65

Nick
Although I am really one of "the old folks" I run a similar sevice to yourself. Slightly off topic but I have managed to cut down my home visits by using Team Viewer. It really does do what it say on the tin. I tend to let the person I am helping do the work while I watch and help as we go along. I think that is better than taking control and doing it myself. Just a thought to help ease your commitment but don't give up the visits all together, they are often more important than getting the PC to work properly.

John pal

I 2 use "team viewer" and I use it allot and just like my screwdriver I wouldn't be without it, but I enjoy seeing their faces light up when the "The computer man is here... "

They, like myself enjoy the 1 on 1 visits and it makes them feel that they are still part of the community and not all together forgotten.
It only takes an hour or two of my time and I have a great laugh. (plus they make a cracking cup of tea) But thanks for the advice.

CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by madtownidiot

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Maxxwire

You're right the Comodo GUI has changed. The Firewall Rules you are looking for are called Network Security Policy and is still just 2 clicks away. I know what you mean by
it being hard to find because I also had a difficult time getting used to the new GUI layout myself for the first few weeks I had v5.0 installed.

~Maxx~
.

Even there, it seems to no longer show a complete list of programs as it did before.

Read the manual.. That's what it's there for.. Hopefully Comodo won't follow in the path of most other software companies by "streamlining the user interface" (moronizing by removing features)

And therein lies the problem. The manual is less intuitive than the GUI. I need to read every freaking page to find if what I am looking for is there. And I have not found it yet. The more I work with this version, the less I like it. It may work fine mechanically and it does the job well, but it has lost me along the way.

All I want is nice, simple list of the programs I have that connect to or try to connect to the internet. Comodo used to have such a critter, which is why I started using it in the first place. If it still does, I can't find it. I will probably ditch this version next week.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

All I want is nice, simple list of the programs I have that connect to or try to connect to the internet. Comodo used to have such a critter, which is why I started using it in the first place.

Carl- The Comodo Firewall in default Safe Mode will not make rules for individual programs, but if you set the Firewall to Custom Policy Mode it will ask you how to set the permissions for each program that tries to access the Internet. You also have the option of manually customizing the Firewall rules for any program on your computer for any additional rules that you want to set.



~Maxx~
.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by madtownidiot

Hopefully Comodo won't follow in the path of most other software companies by "streamlining the user interface" (moronizing by removing features)

People sure are interesting. Over on the Comodo Forums there is a group of very vocal Members who contend that the new CIS v5.0 which now includes State of the Art Automatic Sandboxing of unrecognized programs, Cloud Based Malware scanning and Cloud Based Behavior Blocker has way too many features already...go figure!

~Maxx~
.

blue skies

�� Quote: Originally Posted by malexous

Just changing anti-virus isn't good enough, in my opinion. No anti-virus is 100%, especially against rogue/fake applications.

You should educate them more on what they should look out for. If you don't have the time, find a good article that you can link them all to/print out. An example regarding fake anti-virus:

Show them what their anti-virus' pop-up should look like. If they get a message claiming an infection, whether or not it looks like it comes from their anti-virus or something else, tell them to close their browser (though, some malicious scripts will prevent it), update their anti-virus and on-demand anti-malware and do a complete/full, successive scan.

I agree showing them what fake anti-virus pop-ups look like is a good idea. Perhaps you may also want to use the MVPS.org Hosts file so that known malicious sites are not even accessible: Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

I've used it for many years and have never had any kind of infection.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by blue skies

I agree showing them what fake anti-virus pop-ups look like is a good idea. Perhaps you may also want to use the MVPS.org Hosts file so that known malicious sites are not even accessible: Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

I've used it for many years and have never had any kind of infection.

Malware domain filtering is such an important feature that the developers have added it to the Comodo 2011 DNS servers.

~Maxx~

CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

All I want is nice, simple list of the programs I have that connect to or try to connect to the internet. Comodo used to have such a critter, which is why I started using it in the first place.

Carl- The Comodo Firewall in default Safe Mode will not make rules for individual programs, but if you set the Firewall to Custom Policy Mode it will ask you how to set the permissions for each program that tries to access the Internet. You also have the option of manually customizing the Firewall rules for any program on your computer for any additional rules that you want to set.



~Maxx~
.

Thanks, Maxx; I will give this a try. But I still want a list of the programs to show in one place - as Comodo used to do.

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by madtownidiot

Hopefully Comodo won't follow in the path of most other software companies by "streamlining the user interface" (moronizing by removing features)

People sure are interesting. Over on the Comodo Forums there is a group of very vocal Members who contend that the new CIS v5.0 which now includes State of the Art Automatic Sandboxing of unrecognized programs, Cloud Based Malware scanning and Cloud Based Behavior Blocker has way too many features already...go figure!

~Maxx~
.

I tend to agree. There is nothing wrong with the features; I just want easy, upfront choices as to whether to use those features or not.

madtownidiot

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by CarlTR6

All I want is nice, simple list of the programs I have that connect to or try to connect to the internet. Comodo used to have such a critter, which is why I started using it in the first place.

Carl- The Comodo Firewall in default Safe Mode will not make rules for individual programs, but if you set the Firewall to Custom Policy Mode it will ask you how to set the permissions for each program that tries to access the Internet. You also have the option of manually customizing the Firewall rules for any program on your computer for any additional rules that you want to set.



~Maxx~
.

Thanks, Maxx; I will give this a try. But I still want a list of the programs to show in one place - as Comodo used to do.

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by madtownidiot

Hopefully Comodo won't follow in the path of most other software companies by "streamlining the user interface" (moronizing by removing features)

People sure are interesting. Over on the Comodo Forums there is a group of very vocal Members who contend that the new CIS v5.0 which now includes State of the Art Automatic Sandboxing of unrecognized programs, Cloud Based Malware scanning and Cloud Based Behavior Blocker has way too many features already...go figure!

~Maxx~
.

I tend to agree. There is nothing wrong with the features; I just want easy, upfront choices as to whether to use those features or not.

If you install comodo after you have all your software installed, choose a preconfigured policy,set everything to safe mode and leave it alone, it doesn't get much simpler.. people who like to constantly change settings are the ones who have the most trouble with their computers.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by madtownidiot

If you install comodo after you have all your software installed, choose a preconfigured policy,set everything to safe mode and leave it alone, it doesn't get much simpler.. people who like to constantly change settings are the ones who have the most trouble with their computers.

Setting the Comodo Firewall in Safe Mode is all well and good if the user is not concerned about what system programs call up to the Internet to report their activities to Redmond because in Safe Mode "outgoing traffic by safe applications is learned".

Earlier today I simply switched the USB input for my Logitech wireless mouse and the Comodo Firewall which I have set in Custom Policy Mode gave me this warning...



I get Firewall warnings like "Newdev.dll is trying to connect to the internet" quite frequently and I just don't like the idea of my computer reporting these kinds of things to MS and I consider these kinds of communications spyware activity and I use the Comodo Firewall in Custom Policy Mode to put a stop them just as I would any other spyware program trying to report information about activity on my computer on the internet.

The amount of information that Win 7 is programmed to collect and send back to Redmond is shockingly large and many Win 7 users know nothing about this secretive reporting because the Windows 7 Firewall does not report it and neither will the Comodo Firewall if it is run in Safe Mode instead of Custom Policy Mode in which "the Firewall will not learn the connection behavior of any applications" which allows the user to decide whether information about activity on his computer is shared on the Internet or not.

~Maxx~

tw33k

+1 Maxx. I do the same

madtownidiot

I agree partially. Most people don't know or care what information gets sent back to microsoft but I don't really make it my business to try to get people all paranoid about Microsoft either.. In the example above it's ostensibly nothing more than windows wanting to search the microsoft database for a better driver, but the nearly total ineffectiveness of it.. when has the online search ever found a better driver? ..makes me wonder if it's something they use more for marketing purposes. Want to cut the traffic to/from microsoft from a particular computer by 100%? Turn off the right services, manually delete a few dozen dlls and protected registry keys and download updates from another computer..... Then block it with a good firewall. I'm not going to post here exactly what I do with my own computers because that would be against the forum rules and could possibly expose me to a lawsuit from microsoft, but you know.. I didn't have to agree to anything before they took my money, so they can stuff the EULA you know where. It's my hardware and I'm the one who has to pay for the internet connection. I decide how and when it gets used, not Microsoft or anyone else who took my money for their software

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by madtownidiot

It's my hardware and I'm the one who has to pay for the internet connection. I decide how and when it gets used, not Microsoft or anyone else who took my money for their software

Nearly every program I have ever installed has wanted to immediately phone home...But I don't allow them to...

~Maxx~

CarlTR6

I am aware of those popups and I do use them. My point is this. I installed program X and gave it permission to phone home for registration purposes and I neglected to uncheck the "Remember my answer box" or I have simply changed my mind and don't want X to phone home any longer. Also, I like to review those programs/services I have allowed to connect to the internet periodically. This was easy to do in the previous Comodo version. There was a page that showed me every program and its status regarding being block, ask, or allowed. This feature was the very reason I chose Comodo. I liked the ease of managing outgoing connections. Now they have eliminated it. Regardless of good Comodo is or is not, if it does not do what I need and want it to do, it is not the software for me.

I have now uninstalled Comodo. I may try to find the previous version, try PCTools firewall or simply use Windows Firewall with Spinx Firewall Control. I have not decided yet. In the meantime, I am still protected from incoming by my hardware firewall. I will once again find the right firewall - until the makers change it, too.

madtownidiot

here's where you find the list of applications that are allowed to connect to the internet:
Attachment 107612
On most of my computers it's a very short list

barky

I am surprised by the number of reccomendations for microsoft security essentials in this thread -- I don't often see this pattern elsewhere!
I currently use avast free & comodo firewall on my own computers and wouldn't even consider trying MSE !!
Have put the full free comodo internet security on many computers & so far all is well.

Maxxwire

�� Quote: Originally Posted by barky

I am surprised by the number of recommendations for Microsoft security essentials in this thread -- I don't often see this pattern elsewhere!

barky- Welcome to the Windows 7 Forums! Yes, a lot of the Members here use and recommend MSE and some even use it with the Comodo Firewall.

~Maxx~

tw33k

�� Quote: Originally Posted by barky

I am surprised by the number of reccomendations for microsoft security essentials in this thread -- I don't often see this pattern elsewhere!
I currently use avast free & comodo firewall on my own computers and wouldn't even consider trying MSE !!
Have put the full free comodo internet security on many computers & so far all is well.

I don't use or recommend MSE. And I agree with you, compared to other forums I'm a member of (mainly security related) this one has a very high proportion of users who do use and recommend it.

Maxxwire

[QUOTE=tw33k;1037954]

�� Quote: Originally Posted by barky

I agree with you, compared to other forums I'm a member of (mainly security related) this one has a very high proportion of users who do use and recommend it.

What do you think about the combination of MSE and the Comodo Firewall with Defense+ HIPS? I've heard Members here say they make a good combination and it sounds to me like they may be onto a very effective computer security setup!

~Maxx~