Do I need to have a firewall software setup, when i have a router installed?

Question

Do I need Zone Alarm Pro installed on my PC, when i have a Linksys WRT45G router setup. Does the router provide enough security?

Answer 1

the router has a built in firewall and will provide enough secruity provided that you are doing average stuff and not messing around with mirc, warez, torrents and other good hiding spots for viruses and hackers...however, i still use the Zonealarm free edition because it gives me more control over which programs i want to allow to have internet access...so random programs dont search for updates at will and slow me down while im working..

:)

Answer 2

The short answer is if you were to pick only one, use the one in your router. Read all to find out how to perfectly protect yourself.

I have read recently that a test of the top 10 personal firewalls all failed to block a test program that tried to beat the firewall. It included the best retail and free versions. So I guess personal firewalls are pretty much useless. However, I still use one to block the polite applications (ones that do not try to subvert my system) that I still want to block. It is amazing how many and how often these programs are trying to "call home". I use the free Comodo Firewall on my PC.

Then I use an external firewall to protect the home network, much like your router. I have a Linux box setup to be my router. It is CRAZY how many attacks it blocks which I was never aware of when using personal firewall. However it cannot tell me which applications are trying to come in or out like a personal firewall can (well only polite applications).

Now don't think you are safe just because you have a firewall up and running. These days there are "Drive by shootings" which means simply visiting a page can get you infected by a virus or trojan horse. These are NASTY!

TO PROTECT YOURSELF BEST ---- Use a LiveCD like that from Ubuntu. When you are on the net browsing your hard drives are like in a vault and nothing can write to them. Thus you can't pick up a "nasty". If you happen to pick up a nasty it cannot persist pass a reboot! So do your banking and stock trading first, then you can go to those questionable sites :)

TAKE BACK YOUR WEB!

Answer 3

There is never enough security. Someone with jut a bit of IT know how could hack in to your netowrk if you dn't have firewall, antivirus, etc. Install the firewall, set up MAC addressing, and change the password for changing the router settings from the default one.

MAC addressing:

(click Start, then Run, then type cmd in the text box.)

Type in ipconfig/all in the Command Prompt Windows.

The 12-digit Physical Address is the same as MAC address

Then, go to your router's settings by entering its IP in the address bar of your browser, probably this http://192.168.1.1/ and add your MAC address to the filter and set it so no comps but that with your MAC address can acess the network.

If it is a wireless router, then switch of the SSID broadcast so that the wireless router is not broadcasting its signal for the worl to access it. This is done bya gain going to your settings, probably under the Wireless or Secuirty tab.

Also, instakll something such as McAfee or Norton Internet Secuirty so that you have anti spam, virus, adware, spyware and intruder protection.

Answer 4

You should still have a firewall. See step 9 from the article below.

A good FREE firewall is the COMODO firewall, see the link below.

First, if you are using the router with the default settings, you are even more vulnerable. I found this article that is very helpful in locking down this router.

These steps apply to both Linksys wireless access points (WAPs) and Linksys wireless routers.

1. Change the password – With all Linksys routers and access points, it is extremely important to change the device's default password. Login to your router and enter the default password. The version of the firmware or the router that you are using will determine where the Change Password button is located. Make sure you find it. This is the single most important step. Change the default password and choose a password that contains both numbers and letters. This will reduce the possibility of your password being guessed or hacked.

2. Change your SSID – The SSID is the shared network name that all devices run on a wireless network. The name is case sensitive and should be no longer than 32 characters. You can use any keyboard character you choose when renaming the SSID. The default SSID of the Linksys access point or wireless broadband router is set to Linksys. It is highly recommended that you change the SSID to a unique name other than the default.

3. Disable SSID broadcasting – In order to keep your Linksys product from broadcasting the SSID to hackers or wireless clients, change the Wireless SSID Broadcast to Disabled.

4. Enable encryption – The Linksys WAPs and wireless routers all come with a wireless security option that uses encryption. To prevent hackers and outside users from accessing your network choose between several forms of encryption: WEP (64 or 128 bit) or WPA-PSK (on some devices). Once you choose the security encryption type, you will input a passphrase (or have the system generate one for you). This same passphrase needs to be entered on each client that uses a wireless network card to connect to the access point. On Windows XP you can access the properties by going to Network Connections in the Control Panel (or right-click My Network Places). Next, right-click on Wireless Network Connection and choose Properties. Click on the Wireless Networks tab and choose properties of your wireless connection. Enter the appropriate encryption type and passphrase.

5. Keep firmware updated – On a regular basis, visit the Linksys Web site to make sure you have the latest version of firmware for your Linksys product.

6. Enable MAC filtering – There is a Wireless Network Access MAC Filter that you should enable to only allow specific MAC addresses. Some Linksys products have a Select MAC Address from Networked Computers button that will allow you to select the computers on your network that need access. You can run an ipconfig /all (from the Windows command line) on each computer to obtain the MAC address. It is listed as the "Physical Address" and will have a format that looks like this: 00-50-56-X0-00-08.

7. Limit DHCP – Configure your DHCP settings with only the number of computers that need Internet access. For example if you have 5 computers, only configure DHCP to hand out 5 addresses.

8. Block WAN Requests – Enable this feature to block intruders from attacking you over the Internet. This setting hides your IP address from the outside world.

9. Use desktop firewalls as an additional layer of defense – Don't rely on the Linksys router as your only means of defense. Install a desktop firewall on each PC that's connected to the Internet through the Linksys router. A free and effective desktop firewall is Zone Alarm. Furthermore, it is important to keep the desktop firewall up to date with the latest version in order to remain secure in the future.

10. Look at your network like a wireless hacker – Download NetStumbler. Use it with a laptop or PDA to examine your wireless network. Then, if you are curious, walk around your neighborhood or office complex. You may look like a geek but you would be surprised how many people broadcast their SSID and do not set MAC filtering or encryption. If you know of any the neighbors that have wide open access points you shouldn't be shy about sharing this document with them.

Answer 5

The routers NAT firewall will defend all related machines. in case you require a utility firewall too, this might choose setting up on each and every gadget. A hardware firewall is extremely more advantageous to a utility form. It can not be disabled.( use a good password ) If the routers firewall is enabled, i prefer to propose you in basic terms use homestead windows firewall ( already put in ) in conjunction

Answer 6

The properitry software of the Linksys is enough for network security. It works on the WEP/WPA security. If you wish you can choose to rotate the WEP key for more security. To access these option refer to your router manual. go to Router administrative console. you may try to open it from a Internet Explorer, type 192.168.1.1 in address bar. click go. then there you should see the related security options.

Yes, router's security software is more than enough you will ever need.

Answer 7

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Answer 9

Always, routers are typically open ended and unless they are specifically a security system they let things through. System protection is easier to maintain, I use Norton, but McAfee is good too, and you can set them up for automatic updating which eliminates most worries.

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