Firewall

[black_manta]

I'm getting a warning that my firewall isn't on. I'm using windows and turned off the automatic updates and Defender. Is there a malwarebytes firewall I can use? Do I need a firewall? If I turn on Defender will I have to update everything (I really don't want to)?

[exile360]

Greetings,

Malwarebytes recently acquired Binisoft, the makers of Windows Firewall Control and it is now completely free, so if you wish to use that you may download and install that, however it does rely on the built in Windows Firewall to function so you will need to turn that back on in order to use it.  There are other free firewalls available, however many of them also rely on the built in Windows Firewall to function.  With that said, the Windows Firewall alone does provide decent protection from most common network infiltration attacks and threats (such as port scanners and the like).

With regards to updates, I would strongly advise installing them, otherwise you risk exposing your system to widely known vulnerabilities and stability issues that have been fixed in the updates released by Microsoft, meaning your system will be a much easier target for attackers and malware.  You don't have to use Windows Defender if you don't want to, but you should use some kind of malware protection on your system, even if it is just a free antivirus such as those available from Avast, AVG, Avira, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Sophos or any of the other vendors who offer free versions of their antivirus/anti-malware software as long as it includes real-time protection to guard against getting infected.