Simple Question..

[Sircoop]

Everyone Simple question for you.

I just upgraded to Windows XP Home SP2

I currently use a netgear wireless router.

My connection is Cable Modem into Router into PC.

Do I really need to run the SP2 Firewall in addtion to my router?

Sircoop

 

[HKSturboKID]

Did you have your ICF on prior to upgrade? My sugguestion is if your PC is working fine before without it, might as well leave it.

 

[JackMDS]

Whether you want to use WinXP SP2 firewall or something else is your call, however you do need to Run a Software firewall in addition to the Router.

The Router would defend you only from a fraction of the "Junk".

Link to: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

Link to: Internet infestation -Or, how you are getting Internet ?Junk? in and compromise your Computer/Network?

:sun:

 

[Sircoop]

Thank you everyone!

I will keep the router as well as the XP SP2 Firewall.

Sircoop

 

[MtnMan]

I run ZoneAlarm Pro behind a NAT firewall (router). Just looked at the stats on the firewall, and even behind the router, it has detected and blocked 189 inbound attempts. Yes, you need the additional protection.

How good is the SP2 firewall, don't know, as I turned if off because it does not provide the same level of outbound and idenity protection as ZoneAlarm. (ZoneAlarm will block specific information you setup (name, email, phone #, address, etc.) to any site unless you specifically allow that info to be sent to that specific site.

When this feature was added, I was amazed to see how many times during routine surfing that my email and other info was being sent to sites without my knowledge.