Newbie Security question

statto

Hi – I am new to the world of broadband. I just got a IBB connection and running Norton Internet Security. Is Norton good enough or should I get a firewall router as well? My PC is connected directly to the IBB box on the wall. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

Paulw

In most cases, a software firewall is more than enough.

If you've got very sensitive information and are very cautious then sure, invest in a hardware firewall.

Zion

Can I ask the question opposite statto, I have a router with firewall and my trial firewall is nearly end on the PC, should I get a software firewall? I'm using Windows XP so is the firewall that's in it sufficient along with the router?

Wookie

My two cent worth…

Zion, I am using Kerio Personal Firewall and it seems fairly good... and its free too, Might be worth considering.

Statto, For me the decision is down to your setup. If you only have one PC, Xbox etc using your BB connection then I would go for a software firewall. If you want to use multiple PC’s then it would be a good idea to go for a router with a firewall on it and not bother with the software firewall.

Either way keep an up to date anti-virus product running.

BigEejit

And Microsoft will in the near future be releasing SP2 which will have a configurable firewall (as opposed to the current useless one) ...... which is supposed to be ok

bk

Everyone, don't bother with the Windows XP firewall, would you really trust MS with your security?!!!!

Instead get Zonealaram for free and use that instead, it is much better then the XP firewall.

BTW BigEejit the firewall in XP SP2 isn't going to be that different, the main difference is that it is going to be turned on by the default :rolleyes:

suppafly

so just for a bit of clarity. if u have a router with a firewall in it, do u need a software one too? cuz i have bb and have a software firewall(zonealarm pro - its the business!) and i'm going to be setting up a wireless network in my house to share the connection. so do i need to have a separate software firewall on each comp? also do i need any extra security cuz its a wireless network? thanks

bk

Originally posted by suppafly
so just for a bit of clarity. if u have a router with a firewall in it, do u need a software one too? cuz i have bb and have a software firewall(zonealarm pro - its the business!) and i'm going to be setting up a wireless network in my house to share the connection. so do i need to have a separate software firewall on each comp? also do i need any extra security cuz its a wireless network? thanks

Strictly speaking if you have a firewall on your router, then you don't need a software firewall. But as I said earlier I have a router with firewall, plus every computer in my house has a software firewall. It is better as it ads an extra layer of security.

Yes, you need to be more careful with wireless. Make sure your wireless setup supports WPA security and use it (block clients to your Access Point that don't authenticate by WPA).
If you want to be really tight with your security, then you could run a VPN over the WPA connection.

BigEejit

Originally posted by bk
Instead get Zonealaram for free and use that instead, it is much better then the XP firewall.

It is better than the current XP firewall, and a damn good firewall too, but I am willing to give microsoft a chance and will try out SP2 soon....

BTW BigEejit the firewall in XP SP2 isn't going to be that different, the main difference is that it is going to be turned on by the default :rolleyes:

Ars Technica says different

bk

Originally posted by BigEejit

Ars Technica says different

From what I see here, it is copying Zonealaram, but with a UI that is much less user friendly.

However I do like the feature where it only opens the ports when the application that needs those ports is actually running.

However on the downside, form what I can read from this description is doesn't give as good control over applications communicating outbound as Zonealaram does.

statto

Cheers - thanks for all the advice