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

[ricleo2]

As usual I am confused about networking and security. I feel like a have a firewall in my brain. As stated, do I need a software firewall if I have a router?

 

[imported_snikt]

You don't need a software firewall. If the router you have now has a firewall, the firewall is really meant to protect the router. I use a router, a WRT54GL, and a software firewall on my box mostly because I like to know what's "phoning home" and making outbound connections.

 

[masteryoda34]

I never run a firewall as long as I am behind a router. This has never caused me a problem.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

i'd not required but I like to have one anyway.

 

[RebateMonger]

External firewalls help keep outside attackers from getting access to your network.

But most malware infections do NOT come from outside attacks. They come from Users running malware-infected sofware on their computers. Software firewalls help keep the entire network from being contaminated when a single PC gets infected.

 

[tzdk]

Software firewalls are many things today. Take a look at OnlineArmor for example http://www.tallemu.com/free-fi...otection-software.html Check of outbound connections is only small part of whole package. Run program as limited users is also in there, tons more. Half of features could be overlapped by Antivirus program, even more by a "security suite". So what you want? 😉

If you have no control over what you are doing with computer and inputs from internet then it might be a good idea to have all this control. If lack of control is because you cant be bothered and just want to click away, then you wont like OnlineArmor type of tools since you will be prompted when unknown processes/connections pop up. Tool dont really secure much if not used correctly so real question is if you like/want to use it, does notifications of activity annoy you or not? Install and find out.

You can start with free OnlineArmor - if too much info/trouble I doubt you will find much happiness in "software firewalls". This only works on 32bit btw.

 

[gsellis]

Define Router. A router is only a firewall if it has access control on it. If you have something like a dlink or Linksys 54g router and wireless access point, you have a firewall for the wired portion to the internet, but not wireless. Your wireless clients can still be vulnerable as can your wired clients through the access point.

Is it a big risk? No. Well, unless you live in Vegas near the hotels during Black Hat 😉 But be careful about Tootsie Pop kind of security (hard on the outside, soft in the middle) as it just takes one bad apple to mess up the inside. You are reasonalby safe at home (by obscurity), less so at a school.

Me, I run the firewall at home on the clients. Layers. But I am paid to be a little paranoid.

 

[BW86]

You don't need one but I still run one

 

[SagaLore]

A personal firewall is useful for application layer egress filtering. Yes, use one.