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Do I need to run a software firewall?

racketboy - Sep 6, 2005

		racketboy		Sep 6, 2005
			I just got a cable internet connection -- my first home broadband connection My cable modem goes to my wireless router. My router has built-in firewall. Do I still need to run a software firewall on all my machines?

		it290		Sep 6, 2005
			Not really, but it depends on what ports you're leaving open on the router.

		slinga		Sep 6, 2005
			If it's a windows box, yes. Hell I run a software firewall in addition to a simiilar Linksys router\firewall. It's all about security in layers. I like Zone Alarm because it's a piece of cake to configure, and I feel that it blocks of everything I need it to. I don't get the same flexibility from most hardware firewalls.

		ExCyber		Sep 6, 2005
			In theory it's a good idea purely for protection against worms/trojans opening outgoing connections (many connect to an IRC server to accept commands), but I don't know of any that aren't bloated and/or expensive.

		RitualOfTheTrout		Sep 8, 2005
			I use Kerio Personal Firewall. Its free for 30 days, then continues to work but you lose the ability to configure certain options.

		thewasp31		Sep 10, 2005
			Sygate Personal Firewall... myself, tis free and very configurable imho.

		racketboy		Sep 10, 2005
			are the aforementioned firewalls less resource-intensive than the XP SP2 built-in one?

		RitualOfTheTrout		Sep 10, 2005
			I know with Kerio iv noticed no difference. Looking at the system requirments for Sygates personal firewall im thinking you wont notice anything with that either. Even if there is a small differnce it is made up for because these standalone firewalls have alot more configurable features. After checking that Sygate firewall out im tempted to give it a try myself.

		it290		Sep 10, 2005
			Start with turning off unecessary services first, worry about a firewall after that. If you have a NAT router w/firewall and you shut off unecessary services, the only big security hole you need to worry about is yourself.

		thewasp31		Sep 11, 2005
			Personally I don't see any performance drop when switchin' from sygate to windows firewall then back to Sygate. Tried a firewall which came part of an ISP security suite a few days ago (aka Blueyonder PCguard) and it had a horrible impact on performance. Switching the firewall off and going bck to sygate helped, but gonna have to go back to AVG for anti-virus too, PCgaurd is just too bloated IMHO.

		thewasp31		Sep 11, 2005
			Sayin' that, I read somewhere that Windows Firewall gives your computer firewall protection early on from boot, or much sooner than other software firewalls. Personally I use Sygate on my laptop and Windows Firewall on a much older machine. Basically when deciding on a software firewall, if you need a more configurable firewall and to block out-going progs etc, probs best looking for somethin' other than windows firewall. As on my laptop and I need to be able to configure, on the slower comp which is my grandfathers, simplicity is needed.