Firewalls - are they really needed?

DatabaseError

I know I'm only part-time in this thread, but I still insist that for some people (including myself) both a hardware and a software firewall are necessary. I have applications which I do want to run, but I don't want to give access to the net, without outbound rules I'd have to unplug the cat5 cable, and that's not gonna happen!

aliEnRIK

Savvy_Mommy wrote: »

There are many free firewalls on offer and I personally use AVG. It's free reliable and surprisingly thorough!

Hope this helps!

erm, AVG doesnt have a free firewall! It has a PAID for internet security with firewall (which is junk)
It does have free anti virus software though

mulldoonuk

Okay.....so should i change to a software firewall or not?

yes or no.

[Deleted User]

mulldoonuk wrote: »

Okay.....so should i change to a software firewall or not?

yes or no.

It's not that simple.

Do you have a router? Does it have a firewall? Does your network utilise wireless? Is this secured? Do you have a laptop or desktop? If it's a laptop do you take it to other places and connect to the Internet e.g. cafe's, hotels etc? Are you into P2P downloading?

I'd say enable the inbuilt Windows firewall to start with. If after reading this thread you feel you need an outbound firewall then that's up to you and your own needs.

aliEnRIK

mulldoonuk wrote: »

Okay.....so should i change to a software firewall or not?

yes or no.

Lets put it this way. regardless of all the mumbo jumbo on this thread. A 'decent' 3rd party firewall IS safer.
http://www.download.com/PC-Tools-Firewall-Plus-Free-Edition/3000-10435_4-10625321.html

Old_Sherlock

I have to agree with davidmt83 .

If you make any kind of connection to the internet you should have a
Layered defense mechanism in place.

That includes having both hardware and software firewalls in place.

Routers firewalls are not immune to flood ,DDos attacks and should be used in conjunction with a software based firewall .

Software firewall`s tend to be updated much more regulary than any router manufactures release of a firmwrare patch if it gets updated at all.

As for outbound firewalls ...Unless you need to controll specific programs/Users and have the ability understand what the implications for
your input will result in , for many home users this would be hit and miss.

[Deleted User]

aliEnRIK wrote: »

Lets put it this way. regardless of all the mumbo jumbo on this thread. A 'decent' 3rd party firewall IS safer.
http://www.download.com/PC-Tools-Firewall-Plus-Free-Edition/3000-10435_4-10625321.html

I'd disagree. It's only safer if you configure it to be. If you mindlessly hit okay/agree then there's no real point to it. It's giving you the impression of improving your security without doing anything that actually does improve your security.

That's where we differ of course

DatabaseError

^ +1
turning on windows firewall costs nowt and adds another, although thin, layer of security, blocking outbound connections is not generally needed, if you are one of the few who do need the facility, you wouldn't be here asking
So far as I'm aware, the only free vista64 compatible. firewall is comodo (which I'm using). Does anyone know different?

aliEnRIK

Deleted_User wrote: »

I'd disagree. It's only safer if you configure it to be. If you mindlessly hit okay/agree then there's no real point to it. It's giving you the impression of improving your security without doing anything that actually does improve your security.

That's where we differ of course

So I might start a FIREWALL EDUCATION thread then

[Deleted User]

aliEnRIK wrote: »

So I might start a FIREWALL EDUCATION thread then

Good luck! That's gonna be a long long read.