IS IT SAFE TO SWITCH from dial-up to DSL if one doesn't have a firewall??

Question

I can't buy firewall software b/c I spent all my money on books. So, should I stay with dial-up?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

An excellent FREE and extremely strong firewall is Comodo Personal Firewall. It can pass firewall "leak tests" that even most of the "paid-for" firewalls cannot pass.

And Comodo has a great support forum. Where the CEO / President of the company (Melih) might even himself answer your question! Check it out at:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

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Or if you prefer a decent and FREE firewall that is extremely easy on using your computer's system resources, then Kerio 2.1.5 is just about the lightest firewall there is. Uses about 4 MB RAM on my machine.

Although it is no longer officially supported by the makers of Kerio, there is a great Kerio 2.1.5 support forum at
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/kerio
to help and guide you if you have any problems.

2.1.5 is availible for free at:
http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page7.html

You need a firewall whether you are on dial-up or DSL.

Answer 2

Windows has a firewall. You turn it on in the Control Panel. I feel it is the best firewall to use because Windows loads before anything else, and have disabled Norton's. You don't want two. They will conflict with each other. If you can, you will be much happier with DSL. Dial-up is so slooooooow.

Answer 3

Windows has its own firewall that comes with your operating system (I am assuming you are operating XP. Regardless of your internet connection, either dial-up or broadband it is recommended that you have a firewall. If you are really that hard up for cash and would like to upgrade to DSL, download ZoneAlarm, a free firewall at

http://www.download.com/3000-2092-10039884.html

Answer 4

The Windows firewall is only one-way; it blocks incoming but not outgoing traffic. If spyware gets in it can send all kinds of info about you out, and your Windows firewall won't even *try* to stop it...it's not made to. (So it's not very good.)

However, there are several good free firewalls available. Someone already suggested zone alarm, and it's decent, but Comodo's Firewall Pro (free) is better:

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

Answer 5

You shouldn't be connecting to the internet without a firewall.