ZoneAlarm Firewall substitute

[gery79]

I have been using ZA firewall pro for sometimes now (as a matter of fact within these couple of years i had it on and off) but my license expires in a few days( 15 ). I am afraid i can not pay for ZA this year but as my habit has been that of having a firewall in my computer ( although i really do not know what it protects me from. )i will be without a firewall apparently . Sometimes it has flashed a pop -up or two warning me of bad activity about to happen i really am not an expert in this area.
My two question are
1- Do i need to install a firewall ( free one i mean)
2-If yes then which one? If no am i vulnerable?
XP pro 2g ram 512 g HDD and the computer has important documents and media files .
I had AIS but it was slowing down a bit my computer and browsing so i replaced it with AVG Antivirus pro.
Thanx in advance Gery

[idaho]

Hallo gery79, i would to say first...you must have firewall. Now what kind? You have nice option for FREE ones, here is some of them, all are good:

ONLINE ARMOR http://www.online-armor.com/downloads.php
PCTOOLS http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
COMODO http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/ or use Comodo Inernet Security Premium for FREE http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php
ZONEALARM http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm
WINDOWS Firewall is allready in your operating system

In your case, use also www.malwarebytes.com update program and scan for viruses as well. Good, light antivirus http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/

[JayCub]

I like the Comodo one myself gery79 but as Idaho rightly pointed out you need a firewall....i tried ZA and i was never a fan after XP to be honest but you have plenty to choose from the links above..

[jj1two3]

I used ZoneAlarm for years and it was very good in its time. I have switched to Comodo Internet Security Premium 5.3 and I love it, It does a great job, best of all it is free. It gives you the firewall, antivirus, and defense plus. I also agree with Idaho and JayCub...A firewall is a Must Have.

[INDRANIL]

Online Armor Personal Firewall, Privatefirewall these two are good . Also you can use Comodo firewall (defence plus ennabled/disabled).

[Ceyfer √]

If you're a simple home user, feel free to use the Windows default firewall. You can also optimized it according to your needs without the hassle of HIPS issues.

[sujay]

Rising Firewall is a very good non-HIPS firewall and it is free now.

[Bearcat]

Personally, I just use Windows Firewall.

[ginzon]

Go For Comodo no Pro/Free nothing...
Its A Great One Equal To Online Armor Pro...
Windows Firewall Not Many Trust...

[hellnoire]

I personally use Windows Firewall on Window s7. Works just as well at the job if you ask me, that with ESET and MBAM, as well as a properly configured router.... these are the things that keep me alive and well