Question to Run Without a Firewall

Hi..installed Comodo firewall and it seemed to work fine for a while, but my internet connection dropped and the only thing I could figure out was Comodo. I restored to previous system version and internet connection works fine. My question, how big a risk is it to run without a firewall? I have antivirus, spyware removal, etc.

I'm a beginner so installing software that asks me to determine if something is OK to connect to the internet like Comodo makes me crazy. So I have a tendency to just say yes to everything. I went to the Comodo site and the forum discussions were above my puny head. That being said:

My question, how big a risk is it to run without a firewall? I have antivirus, spyware removal, etc. and haven't had a firewall for about six months. Is there a firewall that is for the beginner?

Thanks for any info....Michelle

 

If you are running XP, use XP's built in firewall. It is a one-way firewall, monitoring all inbound traffic. Never used it, but I believe it is a enable and go, requiring very little interaction (possible some exceptions). It does not monitor outbound traffic, so no "call home" protection. If you browse the net and manage email wisely, this should not be problem.
As for firewalls, a month ago I installed Comodo on my computer, replacing my Pro/paid version of Sunbelt Kerio firewall. I was very impressed. For the past 6 months kids new HP has been sluggish, intermediate Internet/browser response with a dozen BSOD. This week I finally track it down to Sunbelt Kerio firewall driver / IRQ issue. Installed Comodo, it now runs fast and stable, best it has ever run... very pleased.

 

Hi
Running without a firewall these days in not a good Idea, lets face it, the Internet can be a bad place, with bad people, wanting to do bad things.
Money motivates these people, and "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil ".
Don't know if you do any kind of banking or credit card use on the net, Firewalls (good ones) are meant to stop hackers from downloading malicious programs that can steal information and do harm to your system.

Instead of dumping the firewall. learn how to use it, if Comodo is a problem try a different one.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial60.html
"When you leave your house, you lock your doors to prevent robbery, why not use a firewall to put a lock on your computer. "

Here is some other links.
Google understanding Firewalls

Geri

 

My wife and I are networked to a router but we still use software firewalls on both of our computers. Up until a few months ago, I used Sunbelt's (Kerio) firewall but BitDefender has just come out with the 2008 Internet Security Suite which contains a firewall. I'm loving it.

As Geri mentioned, it's a bad world out there and if you don't like Commodo, then try another. Zone Alarm offer a free firewall and I believe that Sygate is still available which can be downloaded from here:

http://www.download.com/3000-2092_4-10637565.html

 

Thanks for the advice

I went back to the comodo site, gleaned what I could from the tech talk and did fine one instruction to install comodo before my antivirus (avast). I tried downloading Zone Alarm trial version and it hung my system on boot...bottom line I reinstalled comodo, reinstalled avast, and everything seems to be working ok for the moment.

In the research I did on firewalls, I did find a lot of products that were combo and included features I didn't want - I've had bad luck with bundled software.

Thanks for all the advice...I really appreciate it and I'm learning slowly but surely.

Michelle