Re: Wireless Routers & Software Firewalls

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

From: Bruce Chambers (bruce_a_chambers_at_h0tmail.com)
Date: 09/29/04 

Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:23:48 -0600

Joel Abramson wrote:
> Is it true that because I have a Hardware Router that I don't
> need
> to use a Software Firewall?

    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

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Hardware vs Software
    ... ZoneAlarm, that can detect and warn the user of unauthorized out-going ... Most antivirus applications do not scan for or protect you ... software firewall in place, your only intrusion protection is the ... everyone always responds with "install NIS" ...
    (microsoft.public.security.virus)
  • Re: Security, router vs. software firewall
    ... A NAT router will protect you from most ... A third party software firewall like ZoneAlarm protects you against outgoing ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Other personal firewalls besides Norton?
    ... NAT-capable routers) do nothing to protect the user from him/herself. ... So a software firewall, such ... though I generally know better than to install scumware. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.general)
  • Re: NT 4 server firewall?
    ... Because software firewalls "protect" computers by closing ports. ... A Windows NT4 server running Oracle will most likely have the ... let's install the software firewall and see what happens. ...
    (comp.security.firewalls)
  • Re: local firewall needed behind hdwr. firewall & LAN
    ... Trojans and worms are downloaded and installed deliberately (albeit ... Most antivirus applications do not scan for or protect you ... software firewall in place, your only intrusion protection is the ... plugged into the company LAN. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers)