July 8, 2008 07:55pm pdt

1. RobWill 10,793
2. batry_boy 7,375
3. rsivanandan 5,260
4. Cyclops3590 4,000
4. grblades 4,000
6. younghv 3,875
7. alwayssm... 3,127
8. dpk_wal 2,500
9. briancassin 2,000
9. tjd01 2,000
9. bdeterding 2,000
9. paulop1975 2,000
9. ngravatt 2,000
9. fifthele... 2,000
9. toniur 2,000
9. GaryStevens 2,000
9. rokov 2,000
9. Jeff_Rod... 2,000
9. jahboite 2,000
9. PowerIT 2,000
9. aleghart 2,000
9. astaec 2,000
9. bansidhar 2,000
9. cshepfam 2,000
9. ShineOn 2,000
9. war1 2,000
9. PsiCop 2,000
9. murgroup 2,000
9. from_exp 2,000
9. pcfreaker 2,000
9. abedair 2,000
9. NeOXinHuH 2,000
9. aholtzmann 2,000
9. authen-tech 2,000

1. lrmoore 289,193
2. keith_al... 87,691
3. Sheharya... 83,045
4. tim_holman 82,777
5. srikrishnak 67,343
6. rsivanandan 60,887
7. RobWill 60,707
8. grblades 52,545
9. stevenlewis 46,723
10. PeteLong 46,200
11. war1 43,765
12. Tolomir 36,790
13. richrumble 36,263
14. harbor235 30,795
15. calvinetter 28,920

02.28.2008 at 06:18PM PST, ID: 23202677

	[x] Attachment Details

[x]

The Solution Rating System

With so many solutions, how can you tell which solutions are most likely to help you and which ones are not? To provide you with a tool to use, we rate our solutions based on various elements that most accurately determine if a solution is a quality solution. To explain what factors affect the solution rating, here are the elements we take into consideration when formulating our solution rating.

The Grade of the Solution
The Zone Rank of the Expert Providing the Solution
The Number of Author and Expert Comments
The Number of Experts Contributing
The Feedback of the Community

Your Input Matters
Because of the way the system is set up, the most important variable in this equation is you. As a member of Experts Exchange, you are able to cast your vote on the quality of the solutions in regard to how complete, accurate, helpful and easy to understand each solution is. When you provide your feedback, each rating is adjusted accordingly. So, if you see a solution that has a poor rating that you think is a good solution, let us know by rating it. As you do, the rating will be adjusted and will become more accurate for other members of our site.

If you have any suggestions that you would like to make for our rating system, please ask a question in the Suggestions Zone of Community Support.

Thank you!

8.1

Firewall Options

Zones: Consumer Firewalls, Desktop Anti-Virus, Email Anti-Virus

I've had some real problems with my desktop computer running XP. Its 5 years old and I think the network card is going. Everything was fine and out of the blue I lost connection with my wireless LAN. The local retail repair guys either couldn't or wouldn't figure it out... but they figured out my bill of $60.

Anyway, I researched around myself and found that if I just do not try to connect to my LAN Wirelessly or via Eathernet and attach the cable modem via USB directly to the computer, then the XP computer is fine to connect with the internet.

Since I have a HP Notebook as a desktop replacement, there is no need to have the XP computer connected to my wirelessless LAN, but an internet connection is a must. I also found that Norton Internet Security 2007 somehow prevented and sometimes made the internet connection quorky and messed up. I uninstalled/reinstalled NIS 2007 several times and finnaly just uninstalled it forever.

Now I have the dilemma of finding a freeware alternative. I already have , I was going to install AVG (free edition), Superantispyware and CCLeaner in conjunction with the XP Windows Firewall or Zone Alarm (free edition) or Comodo (free edition), but I really don't know that much so I wanted to get an opinion here at EE.com.

Start your free trial to view this solution

Question Stats

Zone: Security

Question Asked By: AKMARK5000

Solution Provided By: Jeff_Rodgers

Participating Experts: 1

Solution Grade: A

Translate:

Loading Advertisement...

Microsoft

Internet Protocols
Applications

Development
OS

Hardware
Windows Security

Apple

Operating Systems
Hardware

Programming
Networking

Software

Internet

Search Engines
File Sharing
WebTrends / Stats
Spy / Ad Blockers

Web Browsers
New Net Users
Web Development
Chat / IM

Anti Spam
Web Servers
Anti-Virus
Email Clients

Gamers

Tips
Online / MMORPG
Puzzle
Emulators

Action / Adventure
Role Playing
Consoles
Game Programming

Strategy
Sports
Misc
Computer Games

Digital Living

Hardware
New Net Users
New Users

Software
Digital Music
Gaming World

Home Security
Apple
Networking Hardware

Virus & Spyware

Vulnerabilities
IDS
Encryption
Anti-Virus

Operating Systems Security
Software Firewalls
WebApplications
Cell Phones

Operating Systems
Internet
Hardware Firewalls

Hardware

Handhelds / PDAs
Displays / Monitors
Components
Networking Hardware

Peripherals
Laptops/Notebooks
Storage
Servers

Desktops
New Users
Misc
Apple

Software

System Utilities
Industry Specific
Network Management
Photos / Graphics
Page Layout
VMWare
Misc
Web Development

OS
CYGWIN
Voice Recognition
Message Queue
Quality Assurance
Security
Firewalls
MultiMedia Applications

Development
Database
Office / Productivity
Business Management
OS/2 Apps
Server Software
Internet / Email

ITPro

OS
Storage
Encryption
Operating Systems Security
Apple Hardware
Laptops & Notebooks
Servers
Networking Hardware
Peripherals

Devices
Displays / Monitors
WebTrends / Stats
Search Engines
Firewalls
WebApplications
IDS
Vulnerabilities
Email Clients

File Sharing
Spy / Ad Blockers
Web Browsers
Web Servers
Networking
Anti-Virus
Chat / IM
Anti Spam

Developer

Web Servers
Web Browsers
Game Programming
Dev Tools
Industry Specific
Office / Productivity

Database
CYGWIN
Web Development
Search Engines
File Sharing
WebTrends / Stats

Programming
Content Management
Application Servers
Protocols

Storage

Removable Backup Media
Storage Technology
Servers

Grid
Remote Access
Backup / Restore

Misc
Hard Drives

Miscellaneous
Security
Development
Linux
VMWare

MainFrame OS
Unix
Apple
OS / 2
AS / 400

BeOS
Microsoft
VMS / OpenVMS

Database

Oracle
Miscellaneous
MySQL
Software
Sybase
Contact Management
PostgreSQL
Data Manipulation
Clarion
InterSystems Cache

Siebel
MUMPS
OLAP
SQLBase
SAS
GIS & GPS
4GL
Berkeley DB
DB2
Informix

Interbase / Firebird
FoxPro
Reporting
LDAP
Filemaker Pro
MS SQL Server
dBase
MS Access

Security

Misc
Web Browsers
Software Firewalls
Operating Systems Security
File Sharing

Spy / Ad Blockers
Vulnerabilities
WebApplications
IDS
Anti-Virus

Encryption
Anti Spam
Email Clients
VPN
Chat / IM

Programming

Editors IDEs
Installation
Handhelds / PDAs
Multimedia Programming
System / Kernel

Algorithms
Game
Signal Processing
Project Management
Open Source

Database
Misc
Languages
Processor Platforms
Theory

Web Development

Scripting
Blogs
Web Servers
Software
Search Engines
Web Graphics
Images

Internet Marketing
Images and Photos
Components
Document Imaging
Web Languages/Standards
Illustration
WebApplications

Fonts
WebTrends / Stats
Authoring
Digital Camera Software
Miscellaneous

Networking

Protocols
Apple Networking
Network Management
Message Queue
Application Servers
Content Management
File Servers
Email Servers
Misc
Java Editors & IDEs

Wireless
Networking Hardware
Backup / Restore
System Utilities
ISPs & Hosting
Web Servers
Storage Technology
Removable Backup Media
Servers
Broadband

Grid
OS / 2
Novell Netware
Unix Networking
Windows Networking
Security
Telecommunications
Operating Systems
Linux Networking

Other

Community Advisor
Lounge
Community Support
New Net Users

Philosophy / Religion
Math / Science
Miscellaneous
URLs

Expert Lounge
Politics
Puzzles / Riddles

Community Support

Suggestions
New to EE
New Topics
Community Advisor

CleanUp
Announcements
General

Feedback
Input
EE Bugs

02.28.2008 at 06:33PM PST, ID: 21010250

Jeff_Rodgers:

I would suggest Antivir for free antivirus... it is compact, lightweight and works really well.
Inside of a router, your Windows XP Firewall is likely adequate.

Symantec products to the contrary tend to be bloated and slow down your PC.

02.28.2008 at 06:41PM PST, ID: 21010299

AKMARK5000:

Jeff Rodgers:

Is this one what you are talking about for antivirus?

http://www.download.com/Avira-AntiVir-PersonalEdition-Classic/3000-2239_4-10322935.html?tag=lst-1

02.28.2008 at 06:59PM PST, ID: 21010357

Jeff_Rodgers:

Yes... had a VERY high rating in PCMag lately, tried it myself and it found numerous things AVG or Trend Micro didn't with much lower system impact.

02.28.2008 at 07:07PM PST, ID: 21010417

AKMARK5000:

I hate to be a pest about this would I be able to have both AVG and Antivir?

02.28.2008 at 07:20PM PST, ID: 21010504

Jeff_Rodgers:

Probably wouldn't be an issue, but might slow things down for you.

02.28.2008 at 07:43PM PST, ID: 21010648

AKMARK5000:

Ok, thanks.

I am going to start with both. If things get to sluggish, then I'll most likly dump one.

I'm obligated to be fair and leave this open till tomorrow ... in care there are other opinions... especially about the antispyware and firewall stuff.

02.28.2008 at 07:53PM PST, ID: 21010698

Jeff_Rodgers:

No worries...
in terms of software firwalls i find many of their implementations buggy and eventually can prevent you from doing what you need to do... like checking email and such.

I actually am lookign forward to seeing what others suggest as well.

02.29.2008 at 05:35PM PST, ID: 21019335

AKMARK5000:

UPDATE:

I think I resolved my issue. I loaded AVG and Antivir. And finnally decided to use the built-in WindowsXP Firewall. Then I reinstalled the Linksys Wireless-G USB adapter, but instead of using the Linksys Configuration Software to connect to my LAN, I used the WinXP Install/ Configuation and I an now able to connect to my Wireless LAN and the internet.

Plus, since I dumped Norton and use AVG-Antivir-Windows Firewall, my computer boots allot faster.

I just wonder if Window Firewall is good because I do allot of gamming (pc video games).

To that end, I've been concidering
http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm-Firewall-Windows-2000-XP-/3000-10435_4-10039884.html
mainly for the 'game mode'.

02.29.2008 at 06:49PM PST, ID: 21019629

Jeff_Rodgers:

Are you behind a Firewall or Nat box like a Linksys router? These will stop incoming broadcast traffic as they run on a Linux Variant.

You stand a better chance of being infected by an email than you do of being hacked as the default setting for these is Default Deny on incoming packets. (You only get the packets your computer asks for or from hosts your computer is connected to)

But all that said Zone Alarm isn't a bad solution in the grand scheme of things. I myself don't have supreme confidence in most freestanding software firewalls.

Accepted Solution

03.01.2008 at 06:56AM PST, ID: 21021884

AKMARK5000:

I'm behind a Linksys router.

03.01.2008 at 08:40AM PST, ID: 21022289

AKMARK5000:

COMPLETE STORY OF WHAT I DID;

I ran CCleaner and examined each registry issue it found and deleated the ones realated to 'symantec' or 'norton'. CCleaner found close to 100 traces of Norton Internet Security 2007.

I then installed and ran AVG and Antivir (boot up time were quite fast.

I finally decided to use the built-in WindowsXP Firewall.

Then I reinstalled the Linksys Wireless-G USB adapter, but instead of using the Linksys Configuration Software to connect to my LAN, I used the WinXP Install/ Configuration and I was able to connect to my Wireless LAN and the internet.

I was concerned whether or not Windows Firewall was actually securing anything. So, I installed;
http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm-Firewall-Windows-2000-XP-/3000-10435_4-10039884.html

Everything seems to work fine. I did notice that boot response time is much slower since I put Zone Alarm on... but it isn't that bad considering the days when I had Norton Internet Security installed.

...best part is that its all free ware!

For the future (2-3 monthes from now), I am considering purchasing an Internet security product other than Norton... such as Zone Alarm Pro... or just using the freeware combonation that I have.

Thanks for your help with this issue Jeff.

20080236-EE-VQP-29 / EE_QW_2_20070628