How necessary is a firewall?

Computer_Freak

Computer_Freak

Active Member
Hey guys

Im in the process of renewing my Anti-Virus.

Ive got Bit defender.

Now there are two choices. they both have the same stuff, but the one has a firewall and is more expensive.

Now my dad wants me to get the cheaper one. Im trying to find out, is a fire wall really needed? What does it do?

Cause the price diff is quite a bit, and it its not needed, i wont get it.

PS. I surf the web a lot, download apps, videos etc. I play games online aswell.

so is it needed?

Thanks in advance
 
Get a free firewall like Zonealarm (Only XP) or Comondo (works on vista) I use Comondo, i like it and hasn't been a problem.
 
I have been running comando on my machine for a while now.. Installed it on my wife's laptop last night and found why it was so slow.. she had people using her as a relay they are kicked now.. i would reccomend at least a free one..
 
Computer_Freak;1067524 But is it needed?
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A Firewall provides protection against outside attackers by shielding your computer or network from malicious or unnecessary Internet traffic. Firewalls can be configured to block data from certain locations while allowing the necessary data through. It can stop Denial of Service Attacks, Rootkits and Botnets etc and are good for users who rely on "always on" connections such as cable or DSL modems. So yes, it is needed in my opinion.

My firewall tells me I am continuously being probed by the internet looking for a computer with an easy way in.
 
TFT said:
It can stop Denial of Service Attacks, Rootkits and Botnets etc
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A software firewall will 'NOT' prevent any of the above, even a hardware firewall will have severe problems with a DOS/DDOS attacks, Rootkits can be added to anything you download/install or be part of java, java script, flash etc, which can infect you just by visiting a website. Botnets are part of what's used in a DOS/DDOS attack therefore as mentioned above a software firewall has no or little affect in preventing this type of attack.

Anyway, to answer the posted question, YES I recommend using a software firewall even if you have a Router which acts like a firewall (to a degree), even I dedicated hardware firewall will not protect you completely, so having a second line of defense is always a good idea.

Encryptor
Linux rocks the planet...
 
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cohen said:
Get a free firewall like Zonealarm (Only XP) or Comondo (works on vista) I use Comondo, i like it and hasn't been a problem.
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I'm with Cohen i also use Comodo never had probelm so far with it... it's great program and it's free.
 
Well as a means of security a firewall is the most convenient. Zonealarm uses less resources and doesn't slow down my computer at all. AV programs by how they work will slow down your computer so I don't use them. I have never had a problem with a virus as long as I have had my firewall on.
 
Computer_Freak said:
But is it needed?

And does Comando slow your computer down?
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Yes, it is good to have one, as TFT said, it protects your PC from things.

And no, it doesn't slow my vista desktop down at all, so it will be fine.

TFT said:
A Firewall provides protection against outside attackers by shielding your computer or network from malicious or unnecessary Internet traffic. Firewalls can be configured to block data from certain locations while allowing the necessary data through. It can stop Denial of Service Attacks, Rootkits and Botnets etc and are good for users who rely on "always on" connections such as cable or DSL modems. So yes, it is needed in my opinion.

My firewall tells me I am continuously being probed by the internet looking for a computer with an easy way in.
Click to expand...

Nice way of explaining it!

lubo4444 said:
I'm with Cohen i also use Comodo never had probelm so far with it... it's great program and it's free.
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:D
 
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