Software firewalls

[Epyon9283]

I have a router which blocks all incoming ports to my computer. Do you think a software firewall is still necessary?

 

[minendo]

Maybe not necessary, but it's always good to be running one just in case.

 

[Nothinman]

If you run Windows it's almost necessary now a days.

 

[JackMDS]

In general, security issue involves:

1. Unauthorized Internet traffic coming in (from the Internet to your computer).

2. Unauthorized Information going out (from your Hard Drive to some one else Web Server).

The latter is done mainly by programs that are ?calling home?. Unfortunately, the amount of programs that are calling home is growing by the day.

The Router?s Firewall secures mainly the Incoming traffic, to secure the Outgoing aspect you need Software Firewall.

 

[Epyon9283]

alright thanks... zonealarm pro is a good software firewall right?

 

[m2kewl]

Yes - even their freeware version is pretty good.

 

[SaigonK]

Software firewalls in general suck...they limit your bandwith and they are just too damn buggy for me.
A hardware solution is the best way to go..now as stated before a router only blocks incoming traffic, outgoing is the open gate...
Of course...anyone should tell you that most programs or hacks that send data back to outside areas are contained in viruses...frnakly i would get a goo dvirus scan prgram and stick with what you have...dont be too paranoid, but dont be lax either....

 

[cipher00]

Software firewalls are a very good idea, even with a hardware firewall. I use ZoneAlarm Pro (I like supporting decent products, especially those that offer free versions), but Tiny is also quite good (just different).

 

[Mrburns2007]

Software firewalls work fine, there not to buggy and they realy will block outgoing transmissions for stuff you don't want accessing the internet.

 

[Nothinman]

Software firewalls work fine, there not to buggy and they realy will block outgoing transmissions for stuff you don't want accessing the internet.

Some would argue that if you don't want the program accessing the Internet, you shouldn't be running it...

 

[cipher00]

Some would argue that if you don't want the program accessing the Internet, you shouldn't be running it...

Absolutely. It's just those pesky programs that do access the internet when you don't know they are, or that you're running them...

 

[Nothinman]

Absolutely. It's just those pesky programs that do access the internet when you don't know they are, or that you're running them...

That's why I don't run anything in Windows without testing it in VMWare first, it's a bit of a pain but since I do most of my computing in Linux it's worth it for the few apps.

 

[cipher00]

<<That's why I don't run anything in Windows without testing it in VMWare first, it's a bit of a pain but since I do most of my computing in Linux it's worth it for the few apps. >>

Very good point, and an excellent process (too bad I'm too lazy to do that!). I make up for my laziness by being paranoid.

 

[Nothinman]

Very good point, and an excellent process (too bad I'm too lazy to do that!). I make up for my laziness by being paranoid.

It also works well for finding just plain sh!tty programs that do things like installing old/bad versions of files like mfc*.dll which can cause problems before they screw my main install.

 

[Mrburns2007]

Yeah but having a firewall really does help block certain software including microsofts from connecting to the net without permission.