firewalls, software and hardware?

[KLC]

I'm in the process of buying and setting up my first wireless network. We currently have a single computer plugged into a DSL broadband connection. I've been using ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite for three years and have been pretty happy with it.

I understand that wireless routers have hardware firewalls built into them, do I still need a software firewall/internet security setup? Just anti virus? I'm not sure.

My ZA subscription expires in 3 weeks. The price for 3 computers is $50/year, for 4 computers it jumps to $125. In the network I will have two PCs and one laptop but I can see us getting another laptop sometime and $125/year seems pretty steep.

So, what kind of software security programs do you use with your network? Is there a comparable and cheaper solution out there than ZA?

Thanks for helping me out with this.

 

[cpals]

I have an anti-virus... since most home user routers aren't going to be scanning for viruses. Firewall wise I use the built-in Windows firewall and what comes with my Linksys router. So far I've never had a problem with my computer.

 

[JackMDS]

Bear in mind that though the same word Security is used to describe Secure Internet Connection and Secure Wireless from a Computer functioning perspective there is No relation between the two.

Wireless Security has Nothing to do with securing the Internet Connection.
Wireless is just a replacement for a Wire and thus can be intercepted by people in the neighborhood attaching them self to your Signal and use your LAN and your LAN's Internet Connection. To avoid Local Tapping there are Wireless Security measures.

These measures are unique to the Wireless components, and have to be used even if there is No Internet Connection.

Wireless has to be set correctly using WPA or WPA2 encryption.

Wireless Cable/DSL Router provides only partial protection to the Internet connection.
Each computer needs Software Firewall, Antivirus, and Antispyware applications.

Why? http://www.ezlan.net/routers1.html

Wireless Security in general.

From the weakest to the strongest, Wireless security capacity is.
No Security
MAC______(Band Aid if nothing else is available).
WEP64____(Easy, to "Break" by knowledgeable people).
WEP128___(A little Harder, but "Hackable" too).
WPA-PSK__(Very Hard to Break).
WPA-AES__(Not functionally Breakable)
WPA2____ (Not functionally Breakable).

Note 1: WPA-AES the current entry level rendition of WPA2.
Note 2: If you use WinXP and did not updated it you would have to download the WPA2 patch from Microsoft.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357

The documentation of your Wireless devices (Wireless Router, and Wireless Computer's Card) should state the type of security that is available with your Wireless hardware.

All devices MUST be set to the same security level using the same pass phrase.

Therefore the security must be set according what ever is the best possible of one of the Wireless devices.

I.e. even if most of your system might be capable to be configured to the max. with WPA2, but one device is only capable to be configured to max . of WEP, to whole system must be configured to WEP.

If you need more good security and one device (like a Wireless card that can do WEP only) is holding better security for the whole Network, replace the device with a better one.

Setting Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html

The Core differences between WEP, WPA, and WPA2 - http://www.ezlan.net/wpa_wep.html

 

[KLC]

Jack, many thanks for such an informative answer.

After reading your post and doing some research I found Norton Internet Security Suite 2009 for 3 computers at Costco.com for $29.99 with free shipping. The 2009 suite has received very positive reviews. At $10/PC I decided to buy it and give it a try.

 

[cpals]

Good call Jack... my mind went right over the whole wireless thing.

Not saying it's wrong, but to say that every computer 'needs' Software Firewall, Antivirus, and Antispyware software is good but you could save money by just being cautious by what sites you go to and download. I agree with the antivirus and firewall (Windows), but think the antispyware is overkill if you play it safe.