How reliable are router firewalls?

Question

Suppose I have DSL and a router at home, how reliable is the firewall? Do I *need* to install another firewall (on my PC)?

Answer 1

A router firewall helps. But for careless people, a software firewall can help. If you have Windows XP with SP2, then use the free Windows Firewall. Otherwise, consider the FREE Zone Alarm firewall from http://www.zonelabs.com

You see, your router can stop intruders from hunting you down, but a software firewall will stop spyware from the inside from going out. But this software can be removed, by using a good anti-spyware solution.

I recommend that you go to http://www.download.com and get AD-AWARE and SpyBot Search & Destory. Install, run, update and scan your computer with both programs.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 2

Hey Dude,

You have to think of a firewall much like you think of the lock on your front door. It provides some protection, if you use it, but it is not 100%. There are ways around it.

All firewalls have their issues, however, they will keep 95% of the people out of your system.

There are a bunch of people, and bots out there that will try to hack your system.

Make sure you know how the "lock" works and make sure none of the windows are open for people to get around the door lock.

Does that make it a little easier to understand?

Tom

I prefer hardware firewalls over software ones. Software ones take up valuable resources on your PC, which you want to use for what you want to do. Why waste your computer power trying to fight intruders.

Tom

Answer 3

Any firewall that runs in the computer, is only as strong as the OS it runs on. External hardware firewalls are encouraged.

The external hardware router/firewall is probably running on a 133 to 300 Mhz processor (most are in the 225Mhz range), and is usually running a solid GNU/Linux firewall!

I prefer http://ipcop.org on a headless computer of 133Mhz to 800Mhz, and running Dan's Guardian, and Spam Assassin. Protects upto 36 client nodes. Scale it up to 800Mhz CPU, for the larger network of 36 nodes.

All free.

No matter what you run for a firewall, make the Admin username special, and invent a tough password!

Answer 4

They provide very good incoming packet protection only.

It is recommended that a good 2-way firewall still be installed to alert and prevent if any "nasties" get into your machine and decide to "phone home".

Windows built-in firewall would be redundant when using a router as it filters only incoming packets.

Try a good free 2-way firewall such as Comodo.

Answer 5

The router firewalls I know of don't filter outgoing traffic to the degree that ZoneAlarm does. But if you don't let anything crappy in through your hardware firewall, then no need to worry about installing a software one. I used to have one but it was hogging system resources so I don't use one anymore.

Answer 6

Here's a nice article
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/webmaster/article.php/3103431

If you have Windows XP or Mac OS X, you should have a built in software firewall. Since the software firewall is free, you should use it. I'd be comfortable with the router's firewall and the software firewall that ships with the operating system. Adding a 3rd party product would seem to be overkill.

Windows XP firewall
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/winfirewall.mspx

Mac OS X firewall
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/security/