what microsoft windows firewalls are left

hello. i have a microsoft windows 98 se with no internet explorer and many other things that come with the installation... ... ... the problem is that i can't install lots of software...

norton, mcafee, panda: i don't like them, i don't want them.
tiny: only for microsoft windows 2000 and microsoft windows xp
kerio: doesn't work, gives me problems.
sygate, zonelabs: both need internet explorer, sygate was my favorite of all firewalls.

thats all i can't use (there must be many others...) i tried "agnitum Outpost firewall professional" and that one worked... but it looked to soft, like if it didn't work.
haven't tried blackice...

what do you think?
thank you

What about a hardware firewall?

I've used BlackICE before. It's ok but I swear that it messed with the system. I think it runs into conflicts/issues with some of the AV because after I installed the system became even more unstable (if that's possible).

For AV, you can try DrWeb or AVG.
DrWeb dont need install for just scanner, but for real time need.
AVG need install for both part.

But i dont know what what firewall is good, i didnt found some yet that i should like, but you can try <a href="http://www.snapfiles.com/get/portblocker.html ">AnalogX Port Blocker</a>

I suggest upgrading to WinXP as Microsoft is about to drop all support for Win9x. This means you will not be able to update your windows in the near future leaving you vulnerable to all sorts of misery.

Quote:

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..is about to drop all support for Win9x.

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Since when? They just announced an extension to it June 30, 2006. That's a full two and a half years from now. Although upgrading would make his life easier. :D

I'm not betting on MS to supply all the patches necessary for win98. I'm sure they'll rate some vulnerabilities as 'not important'.

Third party software vendors also tend to support only the 'recent' OSs like 2000/XP/2003.

So if you have enough memory (more then 128MB) I'd say upgrade.

Try to find Tiny PF 1.15
It worked on my win98 just fine. and it is free!!!

when you consider upgrade to WinXP don't forget this:

• you need at least 128MB RAM, (256 MB is optimal)
• you need at least PII class procesor
• you will get IE in the package
• you will have problems with older software (compatibility mode exists but it is far from perfect)

everything that is under this will just give you a headacke. Not worth of trouble.