Re: router and firewall?

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Daniel Royer wrote:
I just installed a Netopia 3347 router (XP SP2). Do I need a firewall like ZA ?

Daniel


I'd say "Yes," others may disagree.

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. (Remember: Most anti-virus 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

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Relevant Pages

  • 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: Equipment Questions - Modem/Router
    ... computers connected to the Internet, even by a router with NAT. ... NAT-capable routers do nothing to protect the user from him/herself (or ... So a software firewall, such as Comodo, Sygate or ZoneAlarm, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Isolating Neighbour from my PC
    ... Have your neighbor buy two cheap routers and give them to you. ... Put your own network on new router A. ... Just trying to protect ... Note that NAT alone is not as much protection as SPI firewall + NAT. ...
    (alt.internet.wireless)
  • Re: Norton
    ... > 3rd party software firewall. ... > important element of protecting one's privacy and security. ... > I use both a router with NAT and Sygate Personal Firewall, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Equipment Questions - Modem/Router
    ... I contacted my ISP about my DSL modem/router and about open ports I found in the grc.com scan. ... This is why it's important to use a software firewall on each the the computers connected to the Internet, even by a router with NAT. ... Like WinXP's built-in firewall, NAT-capable routers do nothing to protect the user from him/herself. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)