Expert: James Filmer - 11/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Filmer

My firewall has now turned off a couple times and I subsequently have gotten over 10 viruses.  I never had a problem, but then I got the virus that redirects you at google if you know what that is, so I followed the instructions I found online to get rid of it: I installed Malwarebytes and it fixed the problem.  But then the firewall turned itself off again and I got more viruses, but it was not the redirects browser virus.

Anyway, I have Windows XP (non-genuine) so I was wondering if I should get a different firewall, even though I've never had any problems before?  How is it possible for a virus to turn off your own firewall?  Is there a way to prevent that, I've gotten rid of the viruses (I think) and I'm not sure what else to do?

Rob

ANSWER: Dear Rob,

In the long run, firewalls, anti-virus and anti-spyware applications won't work like they should on a non-genuine Windows because of core security files required to match similar files in those applications.

In other words, reputable software is made to function properly only on genuine Windows systems.

That being said, you might be able to reasonably secure your system (have no idea how much or how long), by installing an anti-virus program designed to detect and remove viruses.

Firewalls play a different role; they control what comes into your computer and what goes out, but don't analyze all data for viruses and spyware.

About Malwarebytes Anti-Spyware (and their other security tools), it is not designed to remove viruses (though it may detect and remove a few). It detected and removed spyware, and maybe a virus or two, but not all.

About viruses that turn off firewalls, yes some do, but without knowing which one you're using, can say only that if you're using the Windows Firewall, there are third party firewalls (free and paid), that may not allow themselves to be turned off.

On the other hand, if the virus(es) is still there, it might shut down any of them again.

Whether you keep your present firewall or not, you should first install a reputable anti-virus application.  (AVG, Avast, McAfee, TrendMicro and others are excellent, and most have full-feature trial and free versions). One of them may resolve your problems for a while, but using a non-genuine system will always be problematic.





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QUESTION: One last thing.  i read that you can't use 2 firewalls at the same time, is that true?  If I have to use one, I have windows, is there one that is reliable that is free?

I use Norton and it's been pretty good and about Malwarebytes, it seem to find trojans and deletes them too, but I'm not an expert on it.

Answer
What's best for me, may not be for you.

The free/free trial versions of Sunbelt Personal Firewall, Norton (includes anti-virus), AVG, McAfee, Zone Alarm, CA Personal, Comodo, LavaSoft, Trend Micro, Panda, Outpost, Webroot, Tall Emu Online-Armor, Kaspersky, and others are "reliable" in terms of basic firewall functions.

Since each one is different regarding ease of use, system compatibility issues, features and reputation, you could check independent reviews (several good search engine results), and be prepared to uninstall and try another, if necessary.

If you're experienced (under certain conditions) two "types" of firewalls can used at the same time, otherwise, one firewall only.