I used to have a problem with slow ftp

[jlockett]

After weeks of trying to figure out why my ftp transfers would start fast then suddenly slow to halt.

I changed cables, changed switches turned firewalls off/on changed speeds on ethernet cards changed computers, formated and still no go.

Then I uninstalled Zone Alarm Security suite and what do you know everything worked fine, seemd that even if I had the firewall off in Zone alarm it must have been doing something in the background.

I tried this on several computers and all acted the same way.

So I just use Nod32 for virus and and my lovely PCX4500 to handle the packet inspection and firewall stuff.

So there you go.

 

[Telexen]

Bad Zonealarm.

 

[BlackSabbath]

zone alarm really does suck, i prefer a hardware firewall. i use an old 486 with coyote linux running. it doesn't even need a hDD, just a floppy. and wow does it work wonderful. i suggest it.
http://www.coyotelinux.com/downloads/channel.php?ChannelID=5

 

[UrBr0k3]

Just remember that a hardware firewall and a software firewall are not 100% replacements of each other. Simple view: One looks at stuff before it gets to your PC (hardware), and the other as it departs your pc (software).

 

[TokenUser]

Software firewall is no substitute for a hardware firewall. You don't need a sophisticated software firewall on your desktop though - just something that pops up and says "application X is trying to access the internet - is that OK". The one that comes with WindowsXP is adequate for that - especially if you run an antivirus app, and periodically scan for adware/spyware/malware.

There have been arguments about that in the past, but I'll stick to my story - especially if you plug laptops that might have been on unsecured networks (school, internet cafe, hotel, etc) into your home LAN.

Most routers people have have firewall capability - its amazing how few people actually bother to configure them properly. Oh well - I know I'm safe in my little digital fortress.

 

[jlockett]

Yeah I have a Toshiba PCX4500 cable modem which has a great firewall built in to it. I was using zone alarm suite with the firewall off but it was still doing something to slow everything down.

 

[UrBr0k3]

It would be interesting to run tcpdump and find out what was going on.

 

[NeOnRaBbIt]

why would you need a firewall to check whats leaving your pc?? for a firewall, my router has one built in which is really nice where i can configure ports, ip's, and all that other good stuff.

 

[Ikarasu]

It is kind of pointless.

People use it in order to prevent people from stealing information from your PC - Such as a keylogger, that uploads. However... All you have to do is set the keylogger to upload VIA Internet explorer...instead of internal, and no alerts. I guess... some people want the added protection, see if someone is trying to recieve an unauthorized file...

 

[NeOnRaBbIt]

i dont really have anything to hide in here so it's not like i care if someones trying to get my sh*t. But i have ad-aware for adware/spyware/malware which takes care of all that crap anyway..

 

[aural]

NeOnRaBbIt is right. a router with a firewall built in is the way to go IMO. if you are worried about people getting onto your box, you can set your router to Block Anonymous Internet Requests. (at least you can with a linksys router). Problem solved.

 

[chaosfactornine]

I had a lynksys router for a long time. It is perfectly fine to use just that as long as you are scanning for viruses and whatnot.

If someone is looking for a free software firewall on a stand alone machine I suggest Smoothwall... I got it because I love to fiddle with stuff... works like a champ!