Firewall and Anti-Virus Software for x86_64 system

[Richard-BKK]

For some software I need to run now-a-day I needed to set-up a dedicated MS Windows computer, before I only used MS Windows as a guest operating system running in a virtual machine on my Linux computer.

So I bought a small Asus Z87M-Plus motherboard accompanied with a Intel i5-4670K, added 16GB 1600Mhz DDR3 memory and a Samsung 840 EVO SSD and convinced a seller in Panthip to sell me a original version of MS Windows 7 Ultimate x86_64.

Installed everything in a small Gview ITC Cola slim/low-profile case and all looks good and runs very smooth.

My question is what is the best option for a Firewall, and probably Anti-virus? I prefer separate programs for Firewall and Anti-Virus, but cannot really tell why that is.. Probably it's probably because I have the idea if one program fails you directly completely out of protection.

Second preference is x86_64 coded software, what I concluded in a quick search was that most Firewall / Anti-virus programs are still just 32-bits software. And as I use this computer to run some heavy application that needs all memory resources it can get its hands on I prefer to run x86_64 coded software.

So what to what for Firewall and Anti-virus software do I need to buy?

[2008bangkok]

For some software I need to run now-a-day I needed to set-up a dedicated MS Windows computer, before I only used MS Windows as a guest operating system running in a virtual machine on my Linux computer.

So I bought a small Asus Z87M-Plus motherboard accompanied with a Intel i5-4670K, added 16GB 1600Mhz DDR3 memory and a Samsung 840 EVO SSD and convinced a seller in Panthip to sell me a original version of MS Windows 7 Ultimate x86_64.

Installed everything in a small Gview ITC Cola slim/low-profile case and all looks good and runs very smooth.

My question is what is the best option for a Firewall, and probably Anti-virus? I prefer separate programs for Firewall and Anti-Virus, but cannot really tell why that is.. Probably it's probably because I have the idea if one program fails you directly completely out of protection.

Second preference is x86_64 coded software, what I concluded in a quick search was that most Firewall / Anti-virus programs are still just 32-bits software. And as I use this computer to run some heavy application that needs all memory resources it can get its hands on I prefer to run x86_64 coded software.

So what to what for Firewall and Anti-virus software do I need to buy?

Your gonna get alot of different answers on this so my 2pence worth Iv tried a few and I would say ESET Internet security doesn't seem to slow the machine down like a few others you can get a 30 day trial from there site

[KittenKong]

Windows has a built-in firewall that is perfectly adequate for a machine that is behind a NAT router (which they almost invariably are).

Avast free AV is also perfectly adequate as long as the users avoid installing dodgy software and visiting dodgy websites.

If you are worried that they may download dodgy software or visit dodgy websites then a sandbox is a much more practical tool to use. Sandboxie for example.

[2008bangkok]

Windows has a built-in firewall that is perfectly adequate for a machine that is behind a NAT router (which they almost invariably are).

Avast free AV is also perfectly adequate as long as the users avoid installing dodgy software and visiting dodgy websites.

If you are worried that they may download dodgy software or visit dodgy websites then a sandbox is a much more practical tool to use. Sandboxie for example.

It's a firewall and adequate for blocking programs but im yet to see it block browser addons that may try and contact ad networks.

If the OP wants a free AV then Microsoft security essentials for win 7 or rebranded to Defender in Win8 is as good as any free ones but if you want some more ooomf the a paid one is better.

[Richard-BKK]

Our Internet connection is very open, we never had to worry as all our computers run Linux before which comes with a firewall that is woven into the operating system. Also I would also not like anybody from another department trying to connect to my MS Windows computer. The data is sensitive...

Trusting Microsoft of providing adequate protection is something I would not do very quickly... and with the market for aftermarket Firewall software it seems that I'm not alone.

I tried the Avast Anti-Virus software, it's still only 32-bits an so not offers a 100% protection, a virus can load above 3.5GB and the 32-bits software would not be able to check that memory... Also after I installed Avast the computer became less stable with several blue-screens.

[happynthailand]

try "Panda Antivirus Pro 2014"

comes with firewall and Panda cloud cleaner

can try for 30 days free + 10 days if you regester

used it for a couple of years now,no problems

[Cloggie]

Use the firewall of Windows, Avast Antivirus and MalwareBytes Anti-Malware - all free of charge.

[Swiss1960]

Our Internet connection is very open, we never had to worry as all our computers run Linux before which comes with a firewall that is woven into the operating system. Also I would also not like anybody from another department trying to connect to my MS Windows computer. The data is sensitive...

Trusting Microsoft of providing adequate protection is something I would not do very quickly... and with the market for aftermarket Firewall software it seems that I'm not alone.

I tried the Avast Anti-Virus software, it's still only 32-bits an so not offers a 100% protection, a virus can load above 3.5GB and the 32-bits software would not be able to check that memory... Also after I installed Avast the computer became less stable with several blue-screens.

What ever you do, since you talk about confidential / sensitive data, take a paid-for product that offers Internet / Spam etc. security on top of AV only. Firewalls come with most products, it does not make much sense to split FW from your security product.

On top - based on the value of your data - it might make sense to have a secondary AV solution in order to re-scan your computer every month. Don't forget that the different AV solutions don't recognize new malware at the same time with the same reliability. It takes some time for new signatures to be developed and distributed. You might get false-positives from one scan engine but not from the other.

Finally... if you are REALLY talking about sensitive and high-value data, then I would even recommend to buy a separate FW, which will be able to also recognize more sophisticated APT (Advanced Persistent Threads) and specially block any outgoing communication to the know C&C Servers.

[Chicog]

It's a firewall and adequate for blocking programs but im yet to see it block browser addons that may try and contact ad networks.

If the OP wants a free AV then Microsoft security essentials for win 7 or rebranded to Defender in Win8 is as good as any free ones but if you want some more ooomf the a paid one is better.

You can install Ghostery, Collusion and AdBlock Plus if you want to block ads and trackers.

Do not rely on Microsoft AV, it's shit and they've admitted as much.

[Shurup]

I've tried many and was on Kaspersky for quite a few years, you can get it in a separate packages, (antivirus, firewall, etc.) or all in one package - Kaspersky Internet Security. It doesn't bog down your system, like Norton for example...

At the end I gave up with having to buy yearly updates in favor of Microsoft security essentials, I'm not hanging out on the porn sites or anything so I didn't worry much.

[worgeordie]

CoMoDo is a very good free firewall with HIPS, for AntiVirus I would go with

either AVG, or Avast if you want free protection, I personally use Emsisoft,

and have done for last 3 years and nothing has gotten through ,this is a

paid Antivirus, but not expensive.

Hitman Pro in also a very good free scanner to use with your chosen

Antivirus, its a cloud scanner with 3 engines, Emsisoft,Bitfender,and

Kersperksy, it will find anything that gets past your main protection.

regards Worgeordie

[Jiu-Jitsu]

TinyWall if you are security conscious.

But for an all in suite, Kaspersky isn't bad. Plus you can by it cheaply via eBay/Amazon. As little as 200 baht in the UK for the latest Suite.

[KittenKong]

Windows has a built-in firewall that is perfectly adequate for a machine that is behind a NAT router (which they almost invariably are).

Avast free AV is also perfectly adequate as long as the users avoid installing dodgy software and visiting dodgy websites.

If you are worried that they may download dodgy software or visit dodgy websites then a sandbox is a much more practical tool to use. Sandboxie for example.

It's a firewall and adequate for blocking programs but im yet to see it block browser addons that may try and contact ad networks.

What is "it"? Sandboxie? Windows Firewall? Avast?

If you are bothered about ad networks (why?) then use your browser through Sandboxie or run it in "private" mode.

If the OP wants a free AV then Microsoft security essentials for win 7 or rebranded to Defender in Win8 is as good as any free ones but if you want some more ooomf the a paid one is better.

Even MS no longer recommend just using their Security Essentials. I would recommend Avast. You get little extra worth having by paying for AV software.

And the best sort of anti-virus is your brain. Just think before clicking.

[KittenKong]

Our Internet connection is very open, we never had to worry as all our computers run Linux before which comes with a firewall that is woven into the operating system. Also I would also not like anybody from another department trying to connect to my MS Windows computer. The data is sensitive...

The Windows firewall is also built into the OS. The clue is in the name.

Don't share your files and honestly you have nothing to worry about.

Trusting Microsoft of providing adequate protection is something I would not do very quickly... and with the market for aftermarket Firewall software it seems that I'm not alone.

Hey, there's a big market for oxygen-free cables for hifi that cost a fortune, and they are pointless <deleted> too.

Just because someone sells something doesn't mean that it's worth buying. Nor does the fact that some other idiot buys it make it worth having either.

I tried the Avast Anti-Virus software, it's still only 32-bits an so not offers a 100% protection, a virus can load above 3.5GB and the 32-bits software would not be able to check that memory... Also after I installed Avast the computer became less stable with several blue-screens.

Strange. I use it extensively with dozens of 32bit and 64bit machines and have never had a problem. YMMV.