Router Firewall

[icebreaker]

I am told that routers have built in firewalls if so does that mean that I dont need a personal firewall? I am using a router but I did not install any files on my computer to use the router I just plugged my computer and xbox up to the router and then plugged it up to my cable modem. Would I need to install any files for the firewall on the router to work?

 

[datan]

no you don't need to install any files for the 'firewall' on the router to work.
however, you should still use a personal firewall in case in future more computers (eg. laptops) are connected to the router (LAN) and they might get infected with worms.

 

[seebs]

Always have more firewalls rather than fewer. The goal should not be that, if there is ever a single slip-up or hole, your entire network is 0wned.

 

[Stryper]

meh i just trust my routers firewall. nothing has happened to me in the year ive had broadband, and i leave my computers on all the time.

 

[doofus125]

Well first of all, does your router even have a firewall? What router do you have? Second, I have a firewall on my router but I still have Norton Internet Security installed on each computer that is connected to the router and it has caught things slipping through the router's firewall.....my suggestion would be to install a software firewall also, you can never be to safe with all the junk that's floating around now.......

 

[Durelen]

Linksys? All ya need statisticly. If for some reason you disable the wall on the router then yes get something that fits your needs.

 

[SirKenin]

The linksys router stealths every port. You don't need a software firewall. That's just hogging resources.

If you don't believe me, set them both up and see how many hits the software firewall gets after the router is in place.

http://www.grc.com/default.htm for plenty of info.

 

[Éclairé]

dslreports port scan:

http://www.dslreports.com/secureme_go

 

[Éclairé]

I have an smc 7004abr router, which is a firewall as well, but my software firewall logs attacks daily.

 

[SirKenin]

I have an smc 7004abr router, which is a firewall as well, but my software firewall logs attacks daily.

attacks or pings?

 

[Éclairé]

attacks or pings?

various attacks of different levels of risk.

 

[pgp_protector]

You should use both Hardware & Software firewalls.

Yes Hardware firewallls will prevent most incomming attacks, and provide "Stealth" Status to all your ports. The problem is Hardware Firewalls will allow anything to Leave your network.

With a software firewall you can control what Leaves your system. I.E. do you want that new game you just installed contacting home everytime you play it ? Some do unless you block access for that game.

Your new freeware paint program, you enjoy it dont you, but did you know that it wants to "phone home" every time you use it ? No software fire wall ? you will never know.

Microsoft Media player tries to contact microsoft everytime you open it, if you have a broadband always on connection, you wouldnt even know thist without a software firewall.

And if you manage to get a trojenhorse program, a software firewall will let you know when it tries to send information home to its master.


So for the maximum security you should use both Hardware & Software firewalls.

 

[icebreaker]

This is the router that I bought. http://www.dealtime.com/xKW-D-Link_Express_EtherNetwork_DI-604_(DI-604)_Routers/NS-1/linkin_id-3039113/GS.html#fulldesc currently I just use this and norton personal firewal and viruscan

 

[danielb]

I use my Netgear router with its firewall and software firewalls (usually zonealarm) on the PC's as you can never be too careful these days with so many dogy programs going about. Especially spyware and adware (my two pet hates!), which as someone (sorry can't make out your username, too blurred!) said a software firewall lets you detect when some nasty bit of spyware or adware has got on your PC.

Software like adaware can also be good for sniffing out nasty spyware programs.

DanielB

 

[datan]

Well first of all, does your router even have a firewall? What router do you have? Second, I have a firewall on my router but I still have Norton Internet Security installed on each computer that is connected to the router and it has caught things slipping through the router's firewall.....my suggestion would be to install a software firewall also, you can never be to safe with all the junk that's floating around now.......

hm...
i'm a little confused here.
routers drop all packets which were not initiated by the inside network, which is equivalent to having a firewall.

unless of course you have port forwarding or a dmz, in which case you probably know what you are doing so the point is moot anyway.

 

[Cozmo]

You'd be amazed as to how many people enable dmz and think that their home network is secure and that the router is doing it's job. Technically it is, (because you enabled the dmz) but not the job that you want it to do. There are some cases in which a dmz is great to use, but not in the scope of a home network. If you're going to have a router and planning on using dmz, save yourself the money and ditch the router. There'd be no point in having one.

Personally, I use a Linksys 4 port Router, have never used a software firewall and don't plan on doing so. If there are any applications that want to "phone home" I can stop it in my HOSTS file or disable that communication in the program or the registry. A good setup of your router and a good antivirus program (we use AVP) mixed in with common sense on not opening "everything" that comes your way (especially in email) can keep you very safe. However, if you're leary about using your computer without a software firewall, I do believe there's a free version of zonealarm out there that you can use.

 

[Word of Peace]

It all depends on the router. Some do a good job of protecting your network, and some don't. Unfortunately, they don't always tell you all the specs that would help you know.

Look for a NAT firewall, and especially for one that stealths the ports (like mine does). If you want to be check if your router is protecting you, use one of the firewall testing systems available online. Be warned, though, they may have varying levels of accuracy and depths of testing.

 

[Durelen]

heh well no security protection will save you if you are reckless with installing everything that comes your way. Don’t want stuff going out? Research what you install before you install it. If you like running programs like kazaa then don’t even bother lol

Oh and traffic hitting your firewall is normal. Even some ISP's sniff certain ports for security reasons. Not to mention all the obscure junk slung around the net.

 

[pgp_protector]

A lot of software that calls out, you already have installed on your system

Windows XP File Search calls home
Windows Media Player Calls Home
Some High end Gfx Software Calls Home

Also if you dont have your security settings set correctly on your web browser, you can get hit with a drive by download that adds to your tool bar, and they call home all the time.

 

[Cozmo]

If you like running programs like kazaa then don’t even bother lol

Isn't that so true? I have so long ago lost count on how many people I've tried to show how all this so called wonderful P2P software is more than likely the main thing and the main cause of most of their problems, lol