Do I need a software firewall if I have a router with firewall already???

[pcclub2000]

Hi

I have a D-Link 704P Router with firewall and Windows XP Pro. Do I still need a software firewall like Zone Alarm???
My intenet connection is cablemodem and I'm almost always online. I really want the best security thats possible.

 

[JackMDS]

Just incase someone care to know why you need a software firewall on top of the Hardware firewall provided by the Router?

In general, security issues involves:

1. Unauthorized Internet traffic coming in (from the Internet to your computer).
2. Unauthorized Information going out (from your Hard Drive to some one else Web Server).

The latter is done mainly by programs that are ?calling home?. Unfortunately, the amount of programs that are calling home is growing by the day. The last scan of my Hard Drive showed more then 50 programs that are capable of calling home, this is not necessarily ?bad?, but I would like to be in charge of this process. A good Software Firewall is capable to put you in control of this process.

The Router?s Firewall secures mainly the Incoming traffic, to secure the Outgoing aspect you need to add Software Firewall.

 

[DIRTsquirt]

My Vote is yes! but I am a control freak.. Zonealarm is free as in BEER!

 

[cipher00]

Gotta go with Yes. Zonealarm is fine, and free, and others like Tiny. Your choice, but if it was me I'd add the software firewall. My 2¢.

 

[Blurry]

I have the same exact router as you do and D-link has an intergrated DHCP Server with lots of firewall stuff.

 

[Doh!]

I favor Tiny Software's personal firewall (free, less resource hungry than ZA). I believe it has been transferred to Kerio which has the latest version as 2.1.3. It's strange that Tiny still has v. 2.0 on its website. I've heard that Tiny will no longer update its personal software and that's where Kerio took over the development.

Edit: I just found out kerio is a spin-off company from Tiny (consisting of original Tiny developers). I guess that makes sense. Kerio also took over WinroutePro as well.