Maximum PC

I am just wondering which firewall out of ZoneAlarm and Comodo most people here prefer/use based on features and performance.
Thanks!

I haven't used the Comodo one, but the ZoneAlarm one is good. I have used it and it has stopped two major worms.

If for a Windows Vista or 7 PC? Neither, as Windows now comes with a full featured two way firewall. Has inbound and outbound rules, connection modes for home, domain or public networks. Just launch Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to see all the options and features.

But is the built-in one as good as one of the other options?
I personally use Linux most of the time, so most attacks can't touch me. Windows hacks don't always run on Linux, especially with the security stuff installed.

Have NEVER used Comodo. But I have used Zonealarm, and if you're trying to do your own security package (free av + firewall), then I'd choose Zonealarm over Comodo.
The only thing I will note (and this mainly applies to older PCs that are slower) Zonealarm, can slow them down a bit, especially when doing anything network related because of what Zonealarm is doing. But for modern PCs, this shouldn't be much of an issue.

(I don't trust the Windows firewall.)

Why not?

OK, my response stems back to the Windows XP firewall they had... not very good in my opinion. I will say that at least they added one (or at least made the original firewall more configurable) with SP2 for XP.

I've never actually "tried" the Vista or Win7 built-in firewall, because of the disgust I had for the XP one, I just never bothered, and always used a third party app for firewall purposes (plus the firewall in my router/AP).

I suppose if you use a firewall on a router then you're probably OK, but I sort of like the extra layer of protection between the access point and the stuff on my computer (ie. the software firewall).

It's better than nothing, but I still prefer something other than Microsoft-branded products when it comes to AV and firewalls, although I am quite impressed with the reviews and reports I've been reading on MS Security Essentials.

The vista and 7 firewalls offer no more than basic protection.

MSE has let all sorts of nasty viruses on my windows system. I don't like it.

Then quit running as admin and you won't get spyware and viruses. Also you do not know much about the Windows 7 firewall if oyu think it only offers basic protection. I thought the same as you until I took the MS Desktop Cert course, and saw how extensible and full featured the advanced firewall is. That is all I run now. I have one of my computers that has no anti virus program on it, and all I sue is the Windows 7 firewall, and my account has standard user privileges. No viruses, no spyware, and it has been 5 month and counting so far. I also do not open emails from unknown sources, do not visit questionable web sites, or allow my kids access to it either.

I'll take your word for it on the firewall, seeing as you have certification I don't.

As for viruses, I don't run as admin usually, and they still get in occasionally. I have seen them get in 2-3 times more often under MSE than AVG.

then quit going to those questionable sites, don't you know your mom is standing behind you. been using the microsoft software for years, without any problems. and since you are running linux, how is it you are getting so many problems??? it's all in the clicking finger, be selective=no problems.

Test subjects include my sister's (windows XP) laptop (it is used for all sorts of flash games, from sites of somewhat questionable origin), my mom's (windows 7) laptop (it was actually more of a "pebkac"), and my windows 7 desktop (used for troubleshooting other people's broken systems. Don't worry, I keep it off the network.)