Grindy2
@comcast.net | Is a router enough of a firewall? I know that a router acts as a firewall to some extent, but is a software firewall needed as well?
thx | |
|
 
jack b
Gone Fishing
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
clubs:
 ·Comcast
4 edits | Re: Is a router enough of a firewall? You have posted two questions,topic question answer is: yes.
Second answer is no.
Not much gets inbound through a properly configured router that is not supposed to.
BUT, I think you'll find most people here prefer both, a layered approach to inbound security, so a software firewall is a back-up defense.
Also I like the outbound control that is usually not available in most SOHO routers, but I get with my software firewall.
--
~Help find a cure for Cancer~
~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~ | |
|
Tom Mc
join:2004-06-17
| I think most routers now do come with basic firewall protection such as Stateful Packet Inspection, in addition to the NAT that is considered good inbound protection by itself. But, without a software firewall, you have no outbound protection to help deal with spyware, worms, etc. | |
|
black knight
Premium
join:2004-06-22
Oxford, CT
clubs:
1 edit | I agree with Jack b and Tom MC. you could live without a Software firewall, since the Router acts as an inbound Firewall.
However, I personally like the Software firewall and router So I can be Sure that Nothing is outbound unless I Approve It.
BK | |
|
dp
Go Steelers
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-08
Greensburg, PA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| A software firewall along with a router is not a necessity and many do not use one. Probably just as many do as they like that extra outgoing protection that you get with the software firewall.
--
Write your questions down on the back of a $20 dollar bill and send them to me | |
|
|
Portmonkey
scurvy
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Southern IL
| In addition to SPI & NAT, some routers are now beginning to also include outbound firewall protection, but from what I've seen the outbound protection rules need to be manually entered where as most software firewalls will take care of things for you. Regardless of whatever protection a router offers, a software firewall is a good idea. It's kind of like the spare tire in your trunk. Hopefully you'll never need it but if something were to happen, it's nice to have. Peace of mind in itself is a valuable thing, but to each her or his own.
--
Love is often a hard drive along a path full of Trojans. | |
|
grindy
join:2000-10-26
La Conner, WA | Thank all of you for the great responses...
I just may get a software firewall so that I can monitor my outbound traffic from time to time...
Is ZoneAlarm pretty good, or are there better ones? | |
|
 | 
Keizer
I'M Your Huckleberry
Premium,MVM
join:2003-01-20
| Re: Is a router enough of a firewall? said by grindy  :I just may get a software firewall so that I can monitor my outbound traffic from time to time... Good plan. I use a NAT router, as well as Sygate for both inbound, and outbound protection.
Just last night I was once again happy that I had Sygate monitoring outbound connections to the internet. I just purchased the latest copy of PC Utilities, which came with a CD that contained "517 Essential Programs". I downloaded one of the programs, and Avast popped up finding six different virus from the install. Sygate instantly popped up asking permission for a related item from the install to access the internet. Granted, I knew that there was the possibilty of this happening, and was actually hoping it to occur. I actually enjoy catching this stuff to see how/what it does.
I will be imaging back from a clean image file on my external drive to clean the problem up. Still playing with the stuff right now.
Keizer | |
|
|
jack b
Gone Fishing
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
clubs: | Zone Alarm is an excellent firewall.
I have used only ZA, since it came out. | |
|
grindy
join:2000-10-26
La Conner, WA
| Thx to both of you for that last bit of info...
I think I'll enjoy seeing when something wants to go outbound... So I can react...
And I think I'll go with ZA, since it's been around so much and is so popular... If I have any issues with it, I'm sure there's a ZA forum that I can access...
thx again | |
|
|
|
|
