Hardware Firewall on my Router - Do i need a software one?

TheBlueRaja · 22-08-2005, 10:59

Here's a question thats been lingering around the back of my mind for a wee while, i have a hardware based firewall on my Linksys WAG354G which is set up and running.

However, behind that i also have Norton Firewall (2003) which im wondering if i need at all because of this.

This has popped up because i recently replaced my WAG54G v1.2 via linksys because it kep on dropping out my wireless connection and they sent me the WAG354G instead, however in between me sending that off and getting the new one i borrowed my Maw and Paw's ADSL modem. Which is just that - a modem - no router - no firewall. While i was using this i kept on getting alerts from Norton telling me about threats etc.. where people were trying to access my system (this is not targeted directly at me though), this i never get when my router is in between.

So - should i dump norton and maybe turn on Windows firewall as a backup to my hardware based one? Or do i not need one at all?

Any ideas?

MovedGoalPosts · 22-08-2005, 11:05

As far as I am aware the hardware firewalls are robust but primarily protect agains intrusion from outside your network.

A software firewall will often generate warnings that somethign on your PC is trying to send traffic out. An early warning of spyware and the like.

Belt and braces approach is hardware and software. Me, I rely on my router.

Aragorn · 22-08-2005, 11:09

Personally, I just use Windows firewall (or ZA on W98) behind my router. The NAT firewall should be enough to protect against worms/robots and casual hackers (port scans, etc).

TheBlueRaja · 22-08-2005, 11:12

Cool, thats what i was coming round to thinking - i'll remove Norton and stick with the Windows Firewall behind as a precaution.

danielf · 22-08-2005, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

Cool, thats what i was coming round to thinking - i'll remove Norton and stick with the Windows Firewall behind as a precaution.

I was lead to believe (but I might be wrong) that Windows Firewall does not block outbound traffic, so you may be better off with ZA.

Aragorn · 22-08-2005, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

I was lead to believe (but I might be wrong) that Windows Firewall does not block outbound traffic, so you may be better off with ZA.

Pre-SP2 firewall did not block outbound, but the SP2 firewall does.

danielf · 22-08-2005, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn

Pre-SP2 firewall did not block outbound, but the SP2 firewall does.

Ah, cheers for that