Windows Firewall Vs Zone Alarm

As I use internet banking is Windows Firewall (XP SP2) an adequate firewall or should I use another firewall like Zone Alarm alongside Windows firewall or separately?

My computer is already protected with the usual other things: virus protection, anti spyware, Key Scrambler.

Thanks

 

If you are using ZA Pro, then I would say it is definitely superior to the Windows firewall. According to Scott Finnie (you can Google him), ZA free is next to useless anymore. I use Sunbelt's firewall (the former Kerio). You might want to give it a whirl.

 

Thanks for that, if I use Comodo should I switch off the Windows firewall?

 

Before you rush to install Comodo, you might want to read Scott Finnie's latest article: http://www.scotsnewsletter.com/92.htm

As for Free Zone Alarm.... read his article titled:

"Review: ZoneAlarm 7.0.337 Free Version" found in the June 2007 review. I quote:

"The moral of the story: If you're concerned about your level of outbound protection from a software firewall, free ZoneAlarm is a bad way to go. If you don't believe my tests, then please check out Matousec's fully up-to-date set of leak tests. Matousec lists ZoneAlarm Free as "very poor. "

 

Interesting read, bottom line continues to recommend Comodo. I use Sunbelt/Kerio (Pro on mine / Free on Kids), but getting the itch to move to Comodo. I run HIPS active on my computer ... and if some Comodo users have problems with numerous firewall popup hits (granted they should not be occurring) may have issues with HIPS in future Comodo version 3 release. By nature it's job is to issue/popup whenever attempted behavior to change vulnerable applications. I now disable Kerio when applying MS monthly updates ... which will issue 2 or more popups PER KBxxxxxx update. With HIPS disabled, none.

 

I also use Sunbelt's Pro firewall (formerly Kerio) and have had no issues with it in over a year. My wife tried Comodo and experienced several issues beginning with pop-up warnings repeatedly and transferring problems over to her X-box connection to the television. She could no longer view her photo files and we had an extremely difficult time in trying to configure Comodo to allow this. Finally, she removed it (only to have it reappear again until I entirely uninstalled it from the registry) and re-installed her Windows firewall which she has used for a few years now without a single incident. I have never used the Windows firewall to any extent, always opting for a paid-for firewall (i.e. ZA Pro) but I have to admit that she has not had any issues, nor has her son and her daughter-in-law both who work for Microsoft and are online extensively. Neither of them have had issues with hacking and security breeches over several years. It's not an endorsement, but I mention it simply to say that if one takes reasonable precautions while online then it would appear to do the job just fine. As for me? I'll continue to go with Kerio/Sunbelt since I've paid for another year's use! lol