Zone Alarm reduces speed

[Bathboy]

I have had the 50mb service and Super Hub for just over a week. I don't get anywhere near 50mbs downloads at any time, nearer 20-25 at maximum. However, disabling my Zone Alarm free firewall drastically increases speeds up to almost 50mbs, so the question is, do I put up with this, use another firewall(if so which), or can I rely on the Super Hub Firewall and the various malware detectors that I already use?

[qasdfdsaq]

There's no real need to have the Superhub firewall or Zone Alarm firewall as you're behind a NAT.

However if ZA is bugging you and you desperately want to use a firewall, just use the Windows' built-in one. It's perfectly fast and sufficient.

[Taf]

Try PCTool's free firewall... I gave up on Zone Alarm a long time ago.

Also ensure that only one firewall is active! The Windows one has switched on a couple of times for me.

[Bathboy]

Thanks chaps

[pip08456]

Windows firewall is more than capable for home users. Use that and disable the superhub one.

[Mick Fisher]

Private Firewall seems to do a good job and doesn't slow me down. :)

It's not very user friendly though so may not be everyone's cup of tea.

[pip08456]

Personally I user ESET Smart Security. For my uses it works for me. AV, anti spam and firewall allinone.

As I've said many times before personal security is a matter of opinion and for every one that is reccomended by one person you will get 10 saying the different ones they use are better.

For the "bog standard" home user there is nothing wrong with windows firewall.

Add to that the NAT function in a router and you should have no need to worry.