Hi,

That sounds like a good idea. You should be fine with the Windows firewall and router firewall as long as you and your family are just doing normal things and not downloading with P2P programs, or doing anything of that nature.

Here are some programs I would recommend:

1. Winpatrol
   Winpatrol is heuristic protection program, meaning it looks for patterns in codes that work like malware. It also takes a snapshot of your system's critical resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without you knowing. You can read more about Winpatrol's features here.
   
   You can get a free copy of Winpatrol or use the Plus version for more features.
   
   You can read Winpatrol's FAQ if you run into problems.
2. Hosts File
   A Hosts file is like a phone book. You look up someone's name in the phone book before calling him/her. Similarly, your PC will look up the website's IP address before you can view the website.
   
   Hosts file will replace your current Hosts file with another one containing well-known advertisement sites, spyware sites and other bad sites. This new Hosts file will protect you by re-directing these bad sites to 127.0.0.1.
   
   Here are some Hosts files:
   
   MVPS Hosts File
   Bluetack's Hosts File
   Bluetack's Host Manager
   hpHosts
   
   A tutorial about Hosts File can be found at Malware Removal.
3. Spybot Search and Destroy
   Spybot Search & Destroy is another program for scanning spywares and adwares. Not only so, it has other preventive options as well. You are strongly encouraged to run a scan at least once per week.
   
   Spybot Search & Destroy can be downloaded from here.
   
   If you need help in using Spybot Search & Destroy, you can read Spybot Search and Destroy tutorial at Bleeping Computer.
   
   Before downloading any anti-spyware programs, always check the Rogue/Suspect list of anti-spyware programs and Malwarebytes RogueNET. This will save you from a lot of trouble. If in doubt, don't ever download it.
4. SiteHound Toolbar
   SiteHound is a toolbar that warns you if you go to a site that is known to scam people, that has potentially lots of viruses or spywares or has questionable contents. If you know the site, you can enter it; if you don't, it will bring you back to the previous page. Currently, SiteHound works for Internet Explorer and Firefox only.

Regards,
Adam

Thank you so much for the quick reply and help!

I say they will be downloading from P2P so vista and router firewall wouldnt be adequate enough would it?

What is a good easy to use firewall?

Sorry, but I will not help you any further. It is stated in the PCHF Rules, you can find a link to them in my signature, that we will not help you with anything having to do with any p2p software.

Regards,
Adam

There is little or no difference between the inbound protection of a commercial firewall and the Windows Firewall. Inbound protection is the key aspect to every firewall. So I would say your set-up (a combination of a hardware and a software firewall) is adequate.

The difference is with outbound filtering/protection. If programs on your computer attempt to connect and transmit information to a remote host on the internet, your firewall will inform you. If you block this transmission of data, then your private information will be divulged to no one.

This may help you, since the possibility of your computer being infected by malware increases significantly when you use P2P programs. Many P2P networks have large amounts of torrents containing viruses/spyware and the likes. However, I do suggest that you stop your family from using P2P programs. No amount of security software and set-up you have will prevent your computer from being infected. Not to mention that files shared over P2P networks infringe on others' intellectual properties and possibility copyright laws as well.


Please read the FAQ we have here in PCHF for more information:
http://www.pchelpforum.com/firewalls...walls-faq.html

Hi guys

Thank you so much for your help and quick replies....

I dont really want them to use p2p but its their computer so they will pretty much do as they want. I just want to make sure they are protected whatever they decide to do.

I was going to install Comodo as the firewall but because they have only basic computer knowledge i dont want them to ring me every min and ask me what is this pop up. Would Zonealarm free version be more user friendly and an easier option? I know Comodo gives better protection but would Zonealarm be sufficient enough? Would it give ok protection if they use p2p?

Again thank you so much for all the help it is very much appreciated

Well as family I think you are obliged to educate them about the risks of using P2P programs, legal, ethical or safety-wise.

Who says Comodo is better? There's no 'better' in security software, you can't really compare them without being fully aware of both software' inner workings.

Both Comodo and ZoneAlarm are tried-and-tested software that has been in the market for some time. I have not used Comodo myself, but I believe both programs have a 'learning feature' that will remember saved Allows/Denies. You can also teach your family members to google unknown filenames and determine for themselves whether to press the "Allow" or "Deny" button.

I run the risk of appearing long-winded, but no amount of security software will work if you (or your family) insist on downloading torrents laden with viruses and malicious stuff.


I hope that helped.