How do I check Firewall?

IoweIoweitsofftoworkIgo

Evening all.

My free Norton security expires 2 days, and after reading one of the above stickys, have decided to download AVG (after uninstalling Norton)

Could someone advise how I can find out whether I have a Firewall? I am using Windows XP home, and use a Linksys wireless router.

Also, is having a firewall & AVG enough to protect?

Many thanks.

albertross_2

if you are talking about avg antivirus, you probably need a resident antispyware app as well, windows defender etc..

the router has a firewall. Try zonealarm if you want outbound protection.

Chippy_Minton

Control Panel - Security Centre. Click Firewall and also Windows Firewall at the bottom of that window.

MercilessKiller

Linksys would include a hardware firewall using a NAT protocol. This means if a hacker tries hacking you on port xxx (where xxx is any number...), the router will block access.

What it doesnt do is stop information from your computer being sent out. In order to stop that you need to activate either the windows firewall or use a program like Zone alarm, however i don't recommend it as it can cause problems with other programs.

To check your windows firewall click start > control panel > Network Connection.

Right click on your current network connection and click properties. Then in the final tab there should be a windows firewall option.

When you look at your network connections it will say underneat the name of the network (before u click properties) whether its firewalled or not. If it is it will say "Windows Firewall Enabled". If not it won't say anything.

You dont NEED anything other than windows firewall. It really depends on how paranoid u are

(you'll get some people completely disagreeing but only if you have VERY confidential information would you need to consider it...)

IoweIoweitsofftoworkIgo

Thanks everyone.

bat999

Hi ioweiowe

The AVG is an antivirus scanner. When you download any email attachments AVG will scan them to check if they have a virus. If so, it will advise you how to get rid of them.

Also you run the AVG scan from time to time. This scans all the files on your PC to check them in case you have inadvertently got any infected ones.

The AVG regularly contacts its website to download a list of all the latest known viruses that it needs to check for.

I've been using the free AVG for a while now. It's a good one and is simple to use. It does just what it says on the tin.
:cool:

Gahddenbooi

Have a look here:

clickety1

and here:

clickety2