So somehow I must have stripped the default XP firewall with Nlite and I need a firewall for my machine. Does anyone know of a decent one that will do the job without a ton of configuring?

Get a router. NAT routers (network address translation - aka EVERY router on the market) do the job of 90% of the firewall software that you could want. Basically, because of what it does to translate the internal network calls to the outside world and return them to they proper computer, every unrequested packet just gets dropped.

Basically, the only part that a router doesnt' do is to monitor your outbound traffic, but as long as you are fairly competent and can manage not to self infect with anything, you don't need to worry about the outbound traffic.

However, I hear good things about Sygate's Personal Firewall as well as if you have a separate older pc you want to turn into a powerful firewall appliance, you can check into Astaro.

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Well I will be going on campus with this machine a lot and I want to install a firewall since I dont want to install an antivirus program. My dual router setup at home keeps me secure for the most part but I need some extra backup while on the road.

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break Well I will be going on campus with this machine a lot and I want to install a firewall since I dont want to install an antivirus program. My dual router setup at home keeps me secure for the most part but I need some extra backup while on the road.

So, I finally go to look at the sygate link . . . Man, I'm SLIGHTLY out of date . . . . Sygate was bought by Norton a WHILE ago . . . I'll poke around a bit and see if I can find anything I'd use . . . See if any of my trusted sources has any suggestions, too.

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::edit:: So, ZoneAlarm was what I used to use almost exclusively before doing the router method. They still have a free version, but it's been so long since I've used it that I have no idea if it's as good as it used to be . . . But, I will recommend giving it a look based on my past experiences. Please keep in mind the last few years that have likely changed it on me. ::endedit::

Free Firewall Protection Software Best Firewall Computer Security Free Personal Firewall

So this firewall seems to go above and beyond what I need and I believe it blocks outgoing stuff as well (like an app phoning home).

If you need a firewall check this out.

if you want a good free firewall about the best thing to get is zone alarm its a pain in the @ss to setup but once you get it running right it works like a charm! but me maybe im a little retarded or something but i dont use anti-virues firewalls or anti-spyware and im even on a dmz on my router lol why you ask? i just dont dl mysterious files and only go to trusted websites. about all i do is check my e-mail look at pcapex and play cs1.6 lol!