Router Firewall + PC Firewall. Good Idea?

[Oberon]

Hey all. My turn for a question, I've placed it in this section as I just want to chat about the issue. It's not a problem I need resolved.

All I want to know is, can a software firewall (such as McAfee (spit), Norton (hock... spit), or ZoneAlarm (yay!!) be ran in conjunction with the Firewall built into a router?

Having never had a router before, and finally upgrading to one, I always used ZoneAlarm on my PC.

The router comes with a Firewall built in (probably as good as the Windows Firewall, but cannot be switched off).

Would a software based firewall conflict with the firewall on the router?

Thanks.

- I'm good, just not that good
Oberon

 

[DeathWish]

i dont think they conflict or nowt but whats the point ?

 

[Oberon]

As I stated in my first post. I've never had a router before, and merely wished to gain advice from other, more fortunate, users.

I was always led to believe that the two firewalls (Router and PC) would cause conflicts.

Thanks for your response, I'll stick with Router only unless something major happens.

 

[DeathWish]

ye shud be fine with just router ya dont rlly need nowt else, thts wht i do n i turned windows firewall off, i dnt even hav an anti virus eitha, dont see the point as lng as ur not stupid or go on any dodgey porn sites :P

 

[Oberon]

ye shud be fine with just router ya dont rlly need nowt else, thts wht i do n i turned windows firewall off, i dnt even hav an anti virus eitha, dont see the point as lng as ur not stupid or go on any dodgey porn sites :P

Damn... I've been spotted lol (j/k)

Cheers DeathWish. Your input is very much appreciated.

 

[mapadale]

Its all dependent on the router that you use, to wether or not the firewall is any good.

I have 3 router and each varie in how effective they as firewalls, though my 3Com firewall router is as it says a firewall router.

I have a standard Netgear router, the firewall is ok on it. But wouldn't stop the elite hacker of the world these days, as its just a case of force write the firmware on it and your in.

The Sitecom one that I use, now thats ok. Though the firewall on it is a bit pants, though has "DoS" installed on it and and can ghost your ports.

Now the 3com, well need I say more. Its built as a firewall as well as a router and is fantastic to use, its great at stopping at about 90% of threats.

Though the one that I loved the most and that ws the most effective was my BT router, to which had its firmware set back to its original man and so allowed for full NAT ruling to be added and it was awsome. Not only did allow ghosting, but had an array of tools attached to it for things like "DoS" - To which it would send a siganl back to the user as timed out request.

Though the best and one I wished I had never sold was my Cisco one, that was awsome and just the name says it all really.

With routers, its down to wether or not u use it by the name brand software or revert back to its man software. Which 9/10 times is far better than the firmware put on it by ether netgear/bt/sitecom or who ever tagged it.

 

[Neptune]

its good to use ur windows firewall to, aslong as the only exseptons u allow r things u trust (Msn etc) and u know wont place crap on ur comp

BTW do be careful as some of the "BIG" named brands like McAfee do turn a router firewall OFF! trust me iv seen it happen, they want to seem like there doing all the can to protect your comp. so that u will reccomend etc. so do b careful with what your using, its a good idea to have asmany running as u can aswell

 

[Oberon]

Thanks for all that guys. It's given me a bit more information, just as I asked.

I've added reputation as a thank you.

 

[Ardbeg]

Install your router but leave ZoneAlarm on.
Then, after a few weeks, look at the ZoneAlarm list of pings etc on your system.
I used to get all sorts of stuff zapping me daily. Mostly harmless guff but still pinging.
After installing my router, the ZoneAlarm list was totally empty and hadn't had one entry in over 6 months.
I just wish I'd used a router years ago instead of poncing around with the stupid BT USB modem jobby and ICS for my second pc.

 

[Zen2]

I find having the router firewall, Windows firewall and *AVG Free* seems to work pretty well. And doesnt slow up my pc like most mal ware progs.

Zone Alarm i found was just rubbish.

I guess people have thier preferences though.

/Zen2

 

[Elijah]

its a good idea to have asmany running as u can aswell

I'm lead to believe having more than one running can cause confliction, which can cause problems? Please correct me if i'm wrong.

I find having the router firewall, Windows firewall and *AVG Free* seems to work pretty well. And doesnt slow up my pc like most mal ware progs.

I approve this post.

Windows Firewall, Router Firewall and AVG Free.

Don't even notice a difference in the speed of my computer when i have AVG running.

/Ash