[Geek] Bah.

[dancefloorlandmine]

And bah again, I say. Looks like the AVG update on my PC has broken my Sygate firewall (it's an old Windows 2K box). Can anyone recommend any reputable free alternatives? EDIT: Alternatives to the firewall, preferably - it looks like SPF has died a death.

In the interim, I've used the Eee to download the Sygate installer again, to see if that fixes the issue, and while there, also the ZoneAlarm one (which I used on the previous PC), but can anyone suggest an alternative to those? Ta!

EDIT: Sorry, looks like I wasn't quite clear. It's the firewall that I need a replacement for, as a) I'm otherwise happy with AVG, b) SPF wouldn't run after a complete un-and-reinstall, even after I'd temporarily uninstalled AVG as a test and c) ZoneAlarm's current version won't run on 2K.

Comments

[mitchy.livejournal.com]

Had huge problems with AVG, switched to Avast, been a happy mousey ever since :)

[swiftangel.livejournal.com]

I second that vote for Avast. It's brilliant!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

I haven't had any problems with AVG but I'm using the AVG firewall.

[oilrig.livejournal.com]

AVG refuses update on my home machine, surprised something like Win 2k will still run it. Add my vote for Avast!

[silenttex.livejournal.com]

Do you want an alternative to the firewall or AV?
I use Avast on my laptops and Avira on the netbook for AV. Both work well, but I think Avast scores slightly better in detection tests. It's certainly one of the best free packages, as well as having one of the fastest scanners.
Can't help with a software firewall as I don't use them. My router has a basic firewall, and I use the Windows firewall which seems to give adequate protection.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Well spotted. An alternative to the firewall, preferably - I haven't had any other issues with AVG, and having unplugged that box from the world, I uninstalled the AV to see whether I could reinstall the firewall, and ... it still failed. So I'm going to need a new firewall anyway, as SPF is now pretty antique (but then, so is 2K) and ZoneAlarm's latest release won't run on 2K either. Once I've got the replacement box from Guy this shouldn't be a problem, but for now it's a bit of an arse.

I haven't had any especial problems with AVG, although they've just switched to Avast at the office (although it did initially kill the entire network when it started updating and doing the default "initial scan" it carried out on all machines after installing. There was muttering.

[silenttex.livejournal.com]

Try Comodo (http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/firewall.php)
Free and very well reviewed.
Edited to add: Sorry, just checked and it's for XP an up.

[silenttex.livejournal.com]

http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/home-home-office/sunbelt-personal-firewall/
Seems reasonably well reviewed. Started out as Tiny Firewall (made by Computer Associates, I think), then became Kerio Firewall, and then got bought by Sunbelt.
Claims to support Win2K

[spikycat.livejournal.com]

'fraid I just use the basic windows firewall along with avast - tried AVG but didn't get along with it. If I remember right the updating didn't sit too well with playing warcraft, whereas avast isn't too bad.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, the 'basic Windows firewall' was only implemented after Win2K, so it's not an option in this case.

[spikycat.livejournal.com]

Ah, I briefly used windows me, then moved onto xp....and it's far enough back that I can't remember what was and wasn't there pre-xp.
How goes the search for a (decent & functioning) firewall?

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

[grin] No problem. Seem to have found one which does the job - unfortunately, Avast makes my machine run like a dead dog with no legs, so I may go back to AVG.

[spikycat.livejournal.com]

lol...have now remembered the problem I had with AVG - it would try to update while I was playing warcraft, but would try to stop warcraft to do it. Warcraft would win, AVG wouldn't update, and would then sulk.
With avast I just find that warcraft will go very slowly for a few seconds and then a strange voice will announce 'virus database has been updated'....carries very well if you're on the phone and leads to much confusion when talking to my mum :)

If I remember right you're not a warcraft addict though so less of an issue :)

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Ah. [grin]