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

OvenMaster

OvenMaster

VIP Member
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
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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).
 
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
 
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