I need help in getting fair evaluation of the so-called ?firewall?
protection software, available for installation. Unauthorized use of
computers, without the direct knowledge and permission of the computer
owners, is a widespread practice, and defensive purchase of such
software seems a reasonable step. However, in this current climate
offers to provide such equipment do not carry with it the kind of
protections one usually wants, the ability to examine and picture the
probable perfomance, before buying. We do not have the ability to
look at and compare , as we would ? say - in a grocery, clothing or
furniture store. The providers of software typically do not make it
easy to question them intelligently before buying. Although you are
told you have the right to return the software if it proves deficient,
should that happen typically the vender will tell you to buy another
and send the defective one back in the replacement's box for refund.
There in never any compensation for the time and effort wasted in this
process by innocent buyers. Typically this kind of equipment is
imported from the orient and there is no assurance they are tested
rigorously, or even subject to reasonable testing, to ensure they will
perform as represented. No penalties are suffered by any people,
involved in the line of design, manufacture, and sale, for failures
that should normally be subject to effective normal warranty.
I seek some responsible reporting source that evaluates these
products effectively, hopefully understandable by a Komputer klutz
such as myself. Where might be found reasonable evaluations of
current computer software? The software in which I am interested are
for so-called firewalls to protect against unauthorized and usually
well hidden hackers. l |
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
26 Jul 2005 16:37 PDT
sdfinler...
It looks like you ran out of room with the trailing "I" at the
end of your post. If you want to add more to the question, you
can use the Clarification feature of Google Answers.
A user's guide on this topic is on skermit-ga's site, here:
http://www.christopherwu.net/google_answers/answer_guide.html#how_clarify
As for software reviews, there are a number of trusted
websites that offer downloads, site ratings, and user
reviews for software. CNET's Download.com, Tucows.com,
and more. In many cases, you can download the software
directly, rather than waiting for CD by mail or buying
it in a store, and if it is somehow corrupted, you can
just download it again.
Here's CNET's page of software firewall reviews, e.g.:
http://reviews.search.com/search?q=firewalls&nodeid=3667&format=customlayout&channel=54&cat=312&mode=products&allfields=0&k=92601937
Notice the high rating for ZoneAlarm at the bottom
of the page. You can download a free version of
ZoneAlarm which doesn't have all the added features
but will keep you safe from most attempts at hacking.
You can always upgrade to the paid version.
Here's a page on the Zonelabs site where you can scan
your PC for spyware to make sure it's clean, and then
download the free version of ZoneAlarm:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
You might also look into the purchase of a hardware
firewall, in the form of a router which goes between
your cable modem and your computer, and prevents
hacking by making your PC's IP address inaccessible.
Let me know if I'm pointing you in the right direction
or if there's something else you're wanting in an answer.
sublime1-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
sublime1-ga
on
26 Jul 2005 23:04 PDT
By the way, if you want to test the effectiveness of various
firewalls in action, go to Steve Gibson's Shields Up page for
a test of the vulnerability of every port on your computer:
https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
Steve is something of a genius, currently with more than
three quarters of a million subscribers, and the popularity
of the ZoneAlarm firewall grew by leaps and bounds when he
noted that it was the only firewall (at that time) that
could pass the test of providing absolute invisibility of
your PC to any potential hacker - a condition he called
True Stealth.
A hardware firewall can produce True Stealth status, and
many firewalls have been improved to be able to do this,
but there are still some that cannot.
sublime1-ga
|
