Re: Need Firewall?

yeah, recently I ran across a web site trying to scan my system saying they
are Doctor Antivirus and my system needed to be scanned, HA, I know an
attempt to install malware/virus
when I see it. thank goodness for safe hexing and kaspersky internet
security, it stopped the attempt.

"Bruce Chambers" wrote:

Mista Fadedglory wrote:
Hello,

I recently purchased a Linksys wireless router to have a wireless
network in my house. with that I'm wondering, do I need a software
firewall like Comodo or ZoneAlarm anymore? I thought that I had heard
that there is no need for those if I have a "hard" router.

Thanks in advance.


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 Comodo, 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, alerting
you to an unwanted malware application's activity. It doesn't detect an
attack, but it can tell you that something got through and needs to be
dealt with. (Remember: 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?)

When I ran WinXP, I used 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."

Having said that, it's important to remember that firewalls and
anti-virus applications, which should always be used and should always
be running, while important components of "safe hex," cannot, and should
not be expected to, protect the computer user from him/herself.
Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and every computer user to learn
how to secure his/her own computer.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Routers Firewall
    ... > indicates that it has firewall technology, then the router doesn't have a ... What your router does have is NAT. ... ZA is a fine product which will protect a computer ... Port 80 is the WEB access port and port 21 is the FTP ...
    (comp.security.firewalls)
  • Re: firewall??
    ... I don't mean to sound unnecessarily harsh, but given today's widely-publicized and well-known hostile Internet environment, only a fool or a masochist would go on-line without both a firewall and antivirus protection. ... No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. ... All too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link they're about to click. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Need Firewall?
    ... I recently purchased a Linksys wireless router to have a wireless ... 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. ... it is incumbent upon each and every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Firewall Suggestions
    ... > 2) The Linksys router is good for protecting from an attack from the ... But the router is useless on the LAN side. ... for the entire LAN plus a software firewall is just overkill. ... BlackIce will protect even if IPhave been accepted ...
    (comp.security.firewalls)
  • Re: How well does the Windows Vista Firewall work?
    ... Since you sound like one of the more knowledgeable people can you please tell me if my firewall is already on or if it needs to be activated on my router? ... I have Verizon Fios and the router they gave me is an Actiontec MI424-WR Ver. ... I can't see how those spywares can be legal for a company to do. ... It won't protect you from spyware. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.general)
Loading