Change firewall -- improve MagicJack

[mrich]

Up until two days ago I was resigned to the fact that MagicJack would be an okay replacement for my long distance service. While I did utilize it for calls, the quality was haphazard with choppy connections and noisy artifacts during some calls. I figured even with the snags it's worth $20 a year.....it was a decent supplement to my land line/cell phone.

I was running Earthlink's Protection Control Center firewall/security program (which actually was a nerve-wracking experience as it rarely 'learned' what to allow and what to block the way it supposed to). After these many months it suddenly dawned on me that the firewall may be affecting the quality of the MJ -- I actually used to turn it off to make calls, though there were still issues with the quality.

I went back to my old Windows 2000 machine -- I had problems with the PCC from Earthlink on that computer and replaced it with a firewall from filseclab.com (I no longer use the W2000 on the internet just for recording and music production). A flash of rare brilliance (for me) -- try replacing the Earthlink PCC with the filseclab program!

It works great! I been using the MJ for all of my calls during the past few days with no issues in quality or connection whatsoever, though I do notice it works better when I shut down my email program and browser. Also, the *67 tip that was posted regarding echo on the connection works perfectly as well -- I had a mean slapback effect on my 215 calls until I incorporated that into the dialing.

I just wanted to post this and get more info out there for everyone.

[sg1efc]

Great tip Mrich. Thanks.

I use the free Comodo Firewall Pro version. I hardly ever get or make any calls, but so far I have not had any problems with my MJ and Comodo firewall.

[testing123]

mrich, check this thread -- though not asked specifically with reference to MJ, it will give good suggestions.

I started using Comodo on Windoze after seeing the results and I like it much more than ZoneAlarm now.