Firewalls ??

ksh123

Hi
tomorrow I shall by (trying!) to install a new wireless router to allow my daughter to use her new laptop. I got the router from Virgin.
From reading a few things here I see that routers have an in-built firewall. ~Does that mean I should turn off the Windows firewall? And what about AVG - will it be affected?
Sorry to souond so gormless - but I am :rolleyes:

totalsolutions

>Does that mean I should turn off the Windows firewall?

Yes, running two can cause conflicts. A hardware firewall is better than a software firewall
AVG- sorry I don't use it.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

not an expert at this, but I recently went wireless, have built in and Comodo firewall running, and have had no problems with Avast Anti Virus.

It's early yet, no doubt somebody with more knowledge will be along later.

John_Gray

totalsolutions wrote: »

>Does that mean I should turn off the Windows firewall?
Yes, running two can cause conflicts. A hardware firewall is better than a software firewall.

NO! A hardware firewall does a different job to a software firewall. You definitely need the hardware firewall, but if you've got a software firewall - keep it enabled... There is absolutely no conflict between the two.

aliEnRIK

Johns right. Keep windows firewall switched ON

RobTang

have to say I largely use my hardware firewall to stop incoming connections, while the software firewall is mainly to stop outgoing connections as it allows better control and most (home) hardware firewalls are setup allow all outgoing traffic.

aliEnRIK

Most hardware firewalls dont stop sh*t. And the windows inbuilt firewall allows EVERYTHING out by default

elvch01

I don't want to get into a religious argument over this but here is my view:

• There is no conflict between hardware & software firewalls so both can be used if desired.
• Your new router will by default block all incoming ports, so you will be pretty safe from attack from the internet since no traffic can get through the firewall unless initiated from within the local network
• I find the messages from my software firewall to be annoying so have turned it off and am relying on my router
• AVG should not be affected by chnaging your router. It updates by making a connection outbound through your firewall. This will NOT be blocked by default since it is outbound

If you need to open inbound ports through your firewall e.g. you have your own mail and/or web servers etc, then I would either keeps my software firewall switched on and/or buy another router/firewall and set up a proper DMZ and a proxy server

elvch01

Make sure you set up your wirlesss part with WPA2 security. DO NOT go unencrypted or even use WEP. WEP can be readily cracked

pstones578

ksh123 wrote: »

Hi
tomorrow I shall by (trying!) to install a new wireless router to allow my daughter to use her new laptop. I got the router from Virgin.
From reading a few things here I see that routers have an in-built firewall. ~Does that mean I should turn off the Windows firewall? And what about AVG - will it be affected?
Sorry to souond so gormless - but I am :rolleyes:

Keep your Windows Firewall turned on, there's no harm in doing so and it offeres a second level of defense. AVG will be fine.

kippen_noedel

totalsolutions wrote: »

Yes, running two can cause conflicts. A hardware firewall is better than a software firewall

right and wrong at the same time.

a hardware firewall will not be affected by software firewall, then we look at the windows firewall, while it's better than nothing, it's not much bettr than nothing.

presuming it's a new computer so will probably have Vista installed, use Comodo (free version)

and please when posting questions about your comp include some info about your setup, for all I know you could be running Slax instead of windows.