If I have a router, do I need a firewall program?
- Thread starter 2600GHz
- Start date
funkysnair
VIP Member
well i am using a router and windows firewall, ive been doing it for 2 years now never had any problems yet (touch wood)
mac550
New Member
your safer with windows firewall off than on
mac550
New Member
back in the day when i was using xp and sp2 came out, i turned on the firewall and updates and left it, then when i read somewhere that was going on about zone alarm so i gave it a try and within the first 24 hours it blocked well over 5000 hacks.
problem with windows firewall is that you cant see how many hacks it blocks plus it allows and denies programs itself so for the normal user with very limited computer know how they wont change any setting and it can allow stuff to come in when it aint meant to.
if your connected though a router then you dont need a firewall as the router will only allow in connections you have asked for.
most people will say im stupid but i dont care, i have 3 computers and a server connected to a router none of which have a firewall and they are all fine, i did have on have it wasn't blocking anything so i took it off
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mac550, that is one of the most ridiculous pieces of securty advice i have ever heard. The windows fireall is there to prevent a infected pc from spreding a worm on your network.
It is safer to have worms infect your system so that you know you are affected, then to have it block the infections and remain clueless that you are being attacked.
Thats like saying the marines should not wear body armor, because it will make it harder for them to know when they are being shot at.
To use another military example. Think of the router as a guard tower at the perimeter of a base. It will stop any threats coming from outside. But say for example someone is already in, or snuck in from another entrence, you still want guards stationed at each building. Perimeter security is just one part, internal security is also a critical part.
Note, you can set the windows firewall to prevent unrequested inbound connections (exceptions).
The router "firewall" is there to protect you from threats from the internet. The windows firewall is there to protect you from threats already on the lan.
I would enable the windows fire wall for sure, for 99.9% of users it will cause no problems, the rest might need to make a firewall exception for a program or port.
It is safer to have worms infect your system so that you know you are affected, then to have it block the infections and remain clueless that you are being attacked.
Thats like saying the marines should not wear body armor, because it will make it harder for them to know when they are being shot at.
To use another military example. Think of the router as a guard tower at the perimeter of a base. It will stop any threats coming from outside. But say for example someone is already in, or snuck in from another entrence, you still want guards stationed at each building. Perimeter security is just one part, internal security is also a critical part.
Note, you can set the windows firewall to prevent unrequested inbound connections (exceptions).
The router "firewall" is there to protect you from threats from the internet. The windows firewall is there to protect you from threats already on the lan.
I would enable the windows fire wall for sure, for 99.9% of users it will cause no problems, the rest might need to make a firewall exception for a program or port.
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