Well my computer is back up and running. If you remember from Thursday, my friend tried to install Windows XP SP2 on my home computer and the next morning the whole pc was locked up. I uninstalled SP2 and I totally messed up my PC. So Today I brought the pc over to my friends house and he fixed it and re installed SP2.
Anyway....I like Sp2, but I dont like the built in firewall. I have a DI-604 Firewall hooked up to my computer and as of now I do not have any firewall software installed on my pc. Will I be ok with just the router installed on my pc or do I also need a software firewall installed on my machine?? Thanks, Scott
ChristineC68
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
I don't think it matters - we have a router that comes with a firewall as well as XP which I believe has a firewall and yet we still get viruses (This is with DAILY viruse scans).
I think there are ways around everything and that the people that create the viruses are the same ones that write the codes for the anti-virus software.
lilmrs
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
We use Zone Alarm as our firewall (i think) and it's free on teh internet (i think)
ok so I guess that does not help, hubby is the computer support analyst, not me so I will double check with him in the am.
Danielle&Scott
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
Where is DJPILL??? He usually has good advice for me. I have a seperate virus protection program. The firewall doesnt protect you against viruses, it only protects your computer against other people hacking into your computer. Scott
lilmrs
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
Scott, I just did a search on my machine for firewall and it did come up with ZoneAlarm. Just wanted to let youknow it is one, although I guess that does not help with your inital question though so I will just shush now.
Danielle&Scott
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
HAHA, I knew Zone alarm is a firewall. I used to have Zone Alarm but I came across a problem and I found out that Zone alarm was blocking me from getting on the internet, so I deleted it and installed Sygate Firewall which is a free download from download.com.
After that I bought a router and I heard that I didnt need a firewall anymore...Is this true?
lilmrs
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
I don't believe that it is because we have a router and hubby put a firewall on both of our machines.
lilmrs
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
Bumping so that maybe DJ can help you.
Danielle&Scott
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
Thanks a lot. I am still trying to find out if there is a need to have a firewall added to my router.... Thanks in advance.... Scott
lilmrs
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
hey Scott, I *thought* I saw DJ on here so I tried to bump. Sorry, I hope you get an answer soon!
Danielle&Scott
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
Thanks
Danielle&Scott
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
bump for DJ pill to see
DjPiLL
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
The built-in Windows Firewall that comes with SP2 isn't too bad since its native to the operating system. But since its new... I haven't really had a chance yet to play around with it. I turned it off here at my job because I had to in order to run some of my work apps.
Since you have a router... you are somewhat protected from a lot of attacks. It doesn't hurt to leave the Windows firewall turned on for extra protection. If you notice that some of your apps are not working properly then just disable it.
But if you do all your critical updates on a daily basis... you really don't need the SP2 firewall.
Its your call.
Danielle&Scott
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
So I should leave it on, but disable it when I need too. Is there any way to leave it on when I use applications that arent covered by the firewall? What I mean by that is are there any ways of adding unprotected software to SP2's firewall coverage? I know with other software firewalls all your software can be protected, but I didnt know if that is possible with this Xp firewall.
Instead of using this firewall do you think I should use a free firewall like the Sygate Firewall? I was using that before. Thanks, Scott
DjPiLL
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
I would definitely avoid any other software based firewalls if you even think about using SP2's firewall. There is no reason for it and all it will do is just add confusion.
I honestly don't have enough experience yet with the SP2 firewall to know how it works exactly. Its probably just a port blocker.
I would simply leave it on if you want the extra protection. If you leave it on... don't even bother turning it off until you actually NOTICE something not working on your PC.
If you can use all your software... while leaving the firewall on... thats the best of both worlds.
Isn't the pop-up blocker that comes with Internet Explorer SP2 a great feature? I uninstalled my google toolbar right before I did this SP2 install knowing I was getting this added feature.
Danielle&Scott
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
I didnt notice the differnce with getting pop ups because I use slimbrowser instead of internet explorer, and the slim browser has a built in pop up blocker.
What other features that I would notice does SP2 have?
Danielle&Scott
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
Dj, you may want to read this about the SP2 Firewall: Click
I am thinking about reinstalling the sygate free firewall that I had installed before. I had no problems with it and it seems that the new SP2 firewall isnt that great. Scott
DjPiLL
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
Posted by Danielle&Scott
Dj, you may want to read this about the SP2 Firewall: Click
I am thinking about reinstalling the sygate free firewall that I had installed before. I had no problems with it and it seems that the new SP2 firewall isnt that great. Scott
You have to take the SP2 Firewall for what its worth... a free product that does an average job.
No matter what you do... there will always be a 'better' product out there. It all depends on what you want to compromise (whether it be cost / speed / comatibility / etc.)
I have never been a fan of software firewalls. To this day I have NEVER installed one. Has one of my PCs ever been compromised? Nope. If you practice safe computing... you will never have to worry.
A router will give you good hardware based protection. SP2 Firewall is just an added plus... and IMO... sticking with a 'microsoft solution' that works WITH the OS... compared to a 3rd party one (Sygate) that can lead to possible compatibility issues... sticking with the Microsoft one is the better choice for me.
But again... thats just my opinion.
DjPiLL
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
And in regards to no 'outgoing' protection... I think thats overrated.
The only time you will need outgoing protection... is when your PC is ALREADY infected and this may help prevent infecting others.
But at that point when you need the outgoing protection... you are already f**ked so IMO the outgoing protection is just overrated. I have to do a system re-install at that point anyways. The inbound protection is the only stuff I need.
Danielle&Scott
Posted:
Member since
Re: Firewall With Router or just Router??
Wow never thought of it that way....Thanks for the advice. Scott
