I've been using ZoneAlarm's free firewall for about a year now, and I'm relatively happy with it. The only downsides I see are the constant pop-ups when a new program opens, and I'm required to give it access to the "Trusted Zone" of the internet. Other than that, it's been pretty much smooth sailing.

I'm just wondering what a firewall actually DOES for me. If I were to uninstall Zone Alarm and not replace it with anything, what would I need to worry about, and what are the risks involved in working without a firewall?

Hi Prodigy.

I think everyone will tell you that going online without a good Firewall is akin to committing computer suicide.

I use Kerio Fersonal Firewall installed in 'Simple' mode and it just does its thing without asking questions I possibly don't know the correct answer to.

If you do try a different firewall, be sure to disable or remove your present one first as you can only run I Firewall and 1 Antivirus at any one time.

Cheers

Alright, thanks for the reply rowal5555, I now know not to go firewall-less, but I still don't what what it actualy does or what I have to specifically worry about.

Here are some definitons of firewalls, some in simple terms, some aimed at more computer-hardened types..

A firewall is a hardware or software solution to enforce security policies. In the physical security analogy, a firewall is equivalent to a door lock on a perimeter door or on a door to a room inside of the building - it permits only authorized users such as those with a key or access card to enter. A firewall has built-in filters that can disallow unauthorized or potentially dangerous material from entering the system. It also logs attempted intrusions.

A firewall is either the program or the computer it runs on, usually an Internet gateway server, that protects the resources of one network from users from other networks. Typically, an enterprise with an intranet that allows its workers access to the wider Internet will want a firewall to prevent outsiders from accessing its own private data resources.

Computer hardware and/or software that limits access to a computer over a network or from an outside source. Used to prevent computer hackers from getting into a company's computer systems.

For these, I just Googled "define:firewall" and here is a link for you if you want some more, or if you want to visit some of the sites:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q...earch&meta=

Hope this clears things up a bit,
Thanks,
Charles

In addition to rookie147's very good information is this: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/firewall.htm

Be (Hiding behind a firewall) Safe

Da Bleepin AniMod, Animal

Understanding and Using Firewalls

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial60.html

As far as the annoyance of the window popping up when an app wants to access the internet--just check "remember this setting" in the window for the apps you trust.

Also, if you're using XP you have a firewall "built-in" but you have to turn it on
if your not using SP2, no out bound protection though.