PC help: Choosing between firewalls

Q I have always used the free version of Zone Alarm, as recommended by Computeractive, for my computer’s firewall.

However, when I received my new Windows Vista computer, it was not compatible with Zone Alarm, so I used the firewall that was included with Vista instead.

Now that there is a compatible version of Zone Alarm, should I switch to it or continue using the Vista one – which one is better?

Antony Whitehead

A Neither one is necessarily better, but you’ll certainly have to make the choice between the two.

Generally, the firewall included with Windows is easier to use, provides fewer messages to deal with, and works in a less obtrusive way.

On the other hand, the Zone Alarm firewall is much more detailed and can be configured to suit the way your computer is set up.

For instance, if you have more than one computer on your home network, or network devices such as media streamers, network hard disks or network cameras, you may need to fine-tune the firewall settings, which is easier in Zone Alarm.

You have only one PC connecting to the internet, and just using standard programs, it might be better to stick with the Windows Firewall.

In Vista (not XP), there is an advanced version of the Windows Firewall, but it’s quite well hidden – it’s in the Control Panel, under Administrative Tools, then under Windows Firewall with Advanced Security. If you’re going to the trouble of setting up the advanced version, however, we would recommend Zone Alarm, which is easier to use.