Re: SP2 and hardware firewalls
From: Bruce Chambers (bruce_a_chambers_at_h0tmail.com)
Date: 09/09/04
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Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 20:01:50 -0600
Bob Davis wrote:
> I have a Linksys router/firewall connected to a 3-comp.
> network, and ShieldsUp (www.grc.com) and other such tests
> report no security holes. Is there any reason I need to
> enable the XP SP2 firewall? I'm running it now with no
> problems, but if it is redundant then I'll disable it.
If you use a router with NAT, it's still a very good idea to use a
3rd party software firewall. Like WinXP's built-in firewall,
NAT-capable routers do nothing to protect the user from him/herself
(or any "curious," over-confident teenagers in the home). Again --
and I cannot emphasize this enough -- almost all spyware and many
Trojans and worms are downloaded and installed deliberately (albeit
unknowingly) by the user. So a software firewall, such as Sygate or
ZoneAlarm, that can detect and warn the user of unauthorized out-going
traffic is an important element of protecting one's privacy and
security. Most antivirus applications do not even scan for or protect
you from adware/spyware, because, after all, you've installed them
yourself, so you must want them there, right?
I use both a router with NAT and Sygate Personal Firewall, even
though I generally know better than to install scumware. When it
comes to computer security and protecting my privacy, I prefer the old
"belt and suspenders" approach. In the professional IT community,
this is also known as a "layered defense." Basically, it comes down
to never, ever "putting all of your eggs in one basket."
-- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH
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