do you need a software firewall if you have a MN 500 base station

[AnMig]

I have set up a wireless system for a friend and used MN 500 wireless base station.

Its supposed to have a firewall enabled.

Is this enough for a non computer savy person? or should I install zone alarm for him.

Do I disbale the MN 500 firewall if I install zone alarm?


I am pretty much an idiot with regard to this braod band stuff since I am stuck on dial up

please help

 

[groovin]

what kind of firewall is it? is it just NAT or does it actually have rule based inspection?

if it just uses NAT, itll block all incoming, but you might want sometime running on the workstation to stop outgoing stuff you dont know about.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

It will depend on how you use the Internet. Obviously, blocking the incoming threats is the most important function, and simple NAT will do that. OTOH, if you download a lot of stuff, or go to questionable websites frequently, you'll probably want outgoing protection too.

 

[AnMig]

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn
It will depend on how you use the Internet. Obviously, blocking the incoming threats is the most important function, and simple NAT will do that. OTOH, if you download a lot of stuff, or go to questionable websites frequently, you'll probably want outgoing protection too.

I don think he is into warez or downloading mp3 but now that hes got broadband who knows.

anyway from what I gathered from the replies.

The built in firewall of the wireless router should block incomming threats but I will need software firewall like zone alarm to block and see any attepmts by his computer to access the internet without his knowledge.

I was thinking just using the built in firewall and just have run adaware everyweek. I don want to get called every week because zone alarm is going off or something. This is all free by the way

 

[JackMDS]

Quote: "do you need a software firewall if you have a MN 500"

Yes you do!

Link to: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

 

[AnMig]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Quote: "do you need a software firewall if you have a MN 500"

Yes you do!

Link to: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

Thank you Jackmds

I guess I do need zone alarm and I will disable the xp firewall.

very nice link explaining in non networking words why I need both hardware and software fire wall.

Thanks again