Do I need XP's firewall if I use a router?

OvenMaster · 09-26-2007, 08:01 AM

Like the question says. I've got two PCs with XP Home SP2 on a Linksys BEFSR41 wired router connected as a gateway to Verizon DSL. Whenever I have tried the Shields Up! site, I get 100% perfect scores. Do I need to bother running Windows' Firewall if I have the Linksys router?
Tom

**The_Other_One** · 09-26-2007, 08:18 AM

I still use ZoneAlarm even with my router's firewall. You do have the ports blocked, but you have no control over the programs that may access port 80.

hermeslyre · 09-26-2007, 08:27 AM

You don't really need too, as long as you have all the security features on. I still use Comodo along with my BEFSX41 though, I trick myself into thinking I have a better chance of avoiding nasties that way, but to what extant of my reasoning is not known. May be I'm none the better for it.

andy faith · 09-26-2007, 09:42 AM

No you don't need to, though windows may complain if you don't. On my computer at work I don't have my firewall on but at home I do (even though I've got a firewall router...) I think it's more just for "peace of mind" than it actually doing anything extra, might be wrong though

Byteman · 09-28-2007, 09:38 PM

I generally avoid software firewalls like the plague... I've prefer hardware firewalls because 1. they are effective 2. they don't take resources from your computer 3. they don't cause problems like the software ones will (in comparison).

OvenMaster · 09-28-2007, 11:30 PM

Thanks, people. Much appreciated. I'll keep using the firewall, but one of these days I'll try a week or so without it.
Tom

09-26-2007, 08:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
OvenMaster VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Red Sox Nation Age: 49 Posts: 2,033	Do I need XP's firewall if I use a router? Like the question says. I've got two PCs with XP Home SP2 on a Linksys BEFSR41 wired router connected as a gateway to Verizon DSL. Whenever I have tried the Shields Up! site, I get 100% perfect scores. Do I need to bother running Windows' Firewall if I have the Linksys router? Tom __________________ Frankenbox III: CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ * MOBO: Biostar K8M800 Micro AM2 * RAM: 2x1GB Kingston DDR2 667 HDD: WD 80GB Master, Seagate 320GB Slave * OPT: two Pioneer DVR-115DBK DVD burners PSU: Antec Basiq 500W * GPU: PNY GeForce FX5200 256MB AGP 8x * MON: ViewSonic LCD VA721 CASE: EvTek minitower * SND: Diamond Xtreme 5.1 * OS: XP Home SP2 * ROUTER: Linksys BEFSR41 Last edited by OvenMaster; 09-26-2007 at 08:04 AM.

09-26-2007, 08:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 24 Posts: 12,382	I still use ZoneAlarm even with my router's firewall. You do have the ports blocked, but you have no control over the programs that may access port 80. __________________ Desktop * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT Laptop1 * C2D T5550 \| 3G RAM \| 120G HD \| Intel x3100 Laptop2 * C2D T5250 \| 2G RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100

09-26-2007, 09:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
andy faith Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Coventry Age: 19 Posts: 279	No you don't need to, though windows may complain if you don't. On my computer at work I don't have my firewall on but at home I do (even though I've got a firewall router...) I think it's more just for "peace of mind" than it actually doing anything extra, might be wrong though __________________ Main PC: Athlon XP 2400+, 1GB RAM, Geforce4 Ti 4200, Asrock K7S8X mobo, 2x40GB HDD. NEC DVDRW, Pioneer DVD\CDRW Backup PC: Athlon XP 2000+, 512MB RAM, 60GB HDD, Radeon 7500 Main Laptop: XPS M1530: T8300 (2.4GHz), 320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD, 2GB PC2-6400, Geforce 8600GT Backup laptop: Inspiron 6400: Dual Core 2.0GHz, 80GB SATA HDD, 2GB PC2-4200, DVD-RW, Radeon X1300

09-28-2007, 09:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Byteman Malware Destroyer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hurricane Heaven... still Posts: 1,093	I generally avoid software firewalls like the plague... I've prefer hardware firewalls because 1. they are effective 2. they don't take resources from your computer 3. they don't cause problems like the software ones will (in comparison). __________________ Don't byte off more than you can chew...

09-28-2007, 11:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
OvenMaster VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Red Sox Nation Age: 49 Posts: 2,033	Thanks, people. Much appreciated. I'll keep using the firewall, but one of these days I'll try a week or so without it. Tom __________________ Frankenbox III: CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ * MOBO: Biostar K8M800 Micro AM2 * RAM: 2x1GB Kingston DDR2 667 HDD: WD 80GB Master, Seagate 320GB Slave * OPT: two Pioneer DVR-115DBK DVD burners PSU: Antec Basiq 500W * GPU: PNY GeForce FX5200 256MB AGP 8x * MON: ViewSonic LCD VA721 CASE: EvTek minitower * SND: Diamond Xtreme 5.1 * OS: XP Home SP2 * ROUTER: Linksys BEFSR41

09-26-2007, 08:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
hermeslyre VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 18 Posts: 4,973	You don't really need too, as long as you have all the security features on. I still use Comodo along with my BEFSX41 though, I trick myself into thinking I have a better chance of avoiding nasties that way, but to what extant of my reasoning is not known. May be I'm none the better for it.

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