Re: Need Firewall?

"Rarius" <rarius@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"John Doe" <jdoe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

Mista Fadedglory <mistafadedglory@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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.

I'm no expert, but I disable the hardware firewall and use the
software firewall because it allows easy control over individual
programs. The only reason I disable the hardware firewall is
because it interferes with stuff. So, if I were you, I would use
the software firewall, and if you have communications
difficulties, try disabling the hardware firewall. That is,
unless you don't need the user friendliness of the software
firewall.

Mista Fadedglory,

If you want to reply to the original poster, reply to the original
poster, maroon.

Everything I am about to say is predicated on the assumption that
your particular router does have a hardware firewall built in.
Most do, but not all. Its worth checking!

I would probably do the absolute opposite to what Mr Doe has
suggested. [Besides being a troll,] I say this for several
reasons...

3) Hardware firewalls are usually quite easy to configure.

Relative to a software firewall like ZoneAlarm, that's nonsense.

The default
settings are generally right for most people. Anything out,
nothing in!

Once again, the troll is speaking from ignorance about personal
computing. The idea of letting anything out does not work for many
personal computer users because sometimes we download and run
programs that are not safe. A software firewall like ZoneAlarm
alerts us about outgoing traffic that isn't necessary and that is
potentially harmful.

4) Software firewalls have been known to conflict with other
software.

Like what, virtual machines? Maroon.

5) Software firewalls are often difficult to configure to
allow file or
print sharing between PCs on the local network.

Even if that were true, many personal computers are stand-alone.

6) Good anti-virus/malware software (I do NOT include Norton
in this!)
should kill any malware before it gets a chance to open outgoing
connections, which is the main reason usually touted for software
firewalls.

A software firewall and a good backup system is why I don't need
antivirus software that interferes with
downloads/transfers/messaging and slows down my computer.

My hardware firewall is set to "allow all" and I have no problems or
worries about viruses, period.

Rarius
(professional network admin for five years prior to my current job
as seniour software engineer)

Says someone who didn't know personal computer homebuilders buy OEM
hard drives. You are in the right place, Rarius, here you will learn
about personal computers.



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