Software Firewall Necessary?

[CeilingHoles]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in the software forum so I posted in both...

I curently have Nvidia Firewall enabled on the High setting which means all of my ports are on stealth mode. Also, I have PC-Cillin 2002's small firewall running on high settings. Is a stand-alone firewall such as kerio necessary for this setup? Thanks..

 

[spidey07]

Its an added layer of security that would absolutely prevent any internet host from communicating directly with your machine.

Ideally you have a NAT firewall/soho router and run a software firewall. That's pretty rock solid protection from worms and prying eyes.

And as cheap as they are...

 

[JackMDS]

As Spidey said get a Cable/DSL Router even if you have only one computer.

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 following two pages include a description of the type of Trouble the Internet can get you in.

Compare to the way you are protected Now. could be that what you have is good enough.

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

Link to: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

Link to: Internet infestation - How you get it and what to do.

:sun:

 

[MtnMan]

Absoultly - you need multiple layers of protection. NAT firewalls to provide a great deal of defense, but they are useless to protect against anything that gets in through browsers, email, and other methods. Software firewalls protect against unauthorized programs getting out. Newer ones even protect specific info such as your name, SSN, email, CC#'s and passwords from being sent without your approval.

 

[tooltime]

jack has it right. also, a software firewall (i think) will be better than the XP SP2 firewall as it still doesn't protect for outbound traffic. for about 20 bucks on ebay you can get norton internet security

 

[CeilingHoles]

ok, so the nvidia firewall and software firewall shouldn't interfere with each other?

 

[JackMDS]

If you run the NVIDIA firewall you probably do not need the PC-Clin. one. Firewall.

I am not closely familiar with both but from little that I saw the NVIDIA seems to be better.

I do not think that it is a good Idea to rub them both.

However the message that every one tries to deliver to you is that you will buy a Router and use it as your first line of defense and then add to it either the NVIDIA or the PC-Clin which ever you try an deem better.

:sun:

 

[CeilingHoles]

any recommendations for a good router with a firewall for a reasonable price?

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: CeilingHoles
any recommendations for a good router with a firewall for a reasonable price?

Wlamrt sell a Wireless router (yes it has 10/100 ports) for about $50.

It is a linksys. I do know it is hackable.

 

[Fulcrum]

If you don't need wireless consider this router by SMC. It's a pretty good deal for a router with NAT and SPI. I use it and it works great for me. If you really want something even cheaper, try this one. According to the specs, however, it doesn't seem to have SPI, just NAT. If you want a wireless model, check that same site, it has plenty of good models. I'm thinking of getting either this one, or this. I'm sure there are cheaper wireless models that are good, but I want a usb print server while I'm at it. I hope this helps you some.

 

[CeilingHoles]

Thanks a lot

 

[bpatters69]

I have had good luck with:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...33-122-052&depa=0


HTH

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: MtnMan
Absoultly - you need multiple layers of protection. NAT firewalls to provide a great deal of defense, but they are useless to protect against anything that gets in through browsers, email, and other methods. Software firewalls protect against unauthorized programs getting out. Newer ones even protect specific info such as your name, SSN, email, CC#'s and passwords from being sent without your approval.

Just a handy tip - DO NOT put sensitive personal information into your software firewall config. You are just *asking* for problems that way. The best solution, of course, is to not store that information at all on your PC.

Barring that, use some sort of strong software-encryption product, and never store that information un-encrypted on your drive. If it doesn't exist on your HD (effectively, because it's encrypted), then it can never be learned/stolen (assuming solid enough encryption, that even if they steal the encrypted version, by the time they could brute-force the encryption to get at the info, it would be worthless. Say, 1000 years later.)