HELP.....Wireless home network

MercilessKiller

Firewalls are known to block file/printer sharing within home networks unlessed configured in advanced options..

Norton and windows firewalls definitely block these types of things. Zone Alarm's firewall doesnt block ports, it blocks programs and works differently.

Rex_Mundi

Firewalls are known to block file/printer sharing within home networks unlessed configured in advanced options..

So why do IBM recommend not only having a software firewall on each computer in a wireless network, they list Norton as one of the possibilities?

Quote

Use a software firewall on all computers connected to your network.

A firewall is software or hardware that isolates your system or network from unauthorized network traffic. Though most wireless routers already have a hardware firewall to prevent outside attempts to get into your network, it is a good idea to run firewall software on every computer as well. This is another line of defense against an unauthorized computer that might have slipped passed the wireless router by appearing as just another trusted system within your network. This will not keep them from using your Internet connection, but it should help keep them off your hard disk drive. A software firewall will also protect your system from spyware and some viruses, but is not a replacement for anti-virus programs. Several firewall programs have a free version for non-commercial use. Although IBM does not endorse any third-party firewall software, some of the more popular ones include ZoneLabs ZoneAlarm and Norton Firewall
Taken from THIS page

MercilessKiller

I am talking from experience.

Out of many problems people have come to me with due to file sharing on wireless networking, without exaggerationg, well over 50% of these problems are due to norton firewalls on the system.

Routers use NAT and thus block all ports meaning that hackers can not access open ports on a single computer. If you are on a business network then I'm not sure, but for HOME wireless networks, using a Wireless Key (WEP) and The NAT firewall on the router nothing else is needed.

Hope this helps

Rex_Mundi

Out of many problems people have come to me with due to file sharing on wireless networking, without exaggerationg, well over 50% of these problems are due to norton firewalls on the system.

This is because they are not configured correctly. Norton firewall WILL work perfectly well on a home network. It may be a bit of a pain to set it up in the beginning, but this is better than turning it off completely.

wolfman

MercilessKiller wrote:

You will have to turn ALL firewalls off and the computers and laptops including windows/norton/mcaffee firewalls, and they are not needed as the router is a hardware and a software firewall.

I would not recommend doing this. On your average router the firewall is in actual fact merely a port blocker. If you have certain ports open on your router there's nothing to stop anything malicious using that port. Also in most cases the port blocker won't be configured to stop outgoing traffic.

A local firewall is highly desirable, one such as Kerio Personal Firewall. It'll notify you of any applications trying to run on a port, incoming or outgoing. The router provides a good first line of defence but you should always have a software firewall behind that.

MercilessKiller

Wolfman.. the Netgear firewall blocks tcp and udp incoming and outgoing. it will only allow if you purposly set this through port forwarding and firewall rules on the router which would most prob not be needed.

Due to this a firewall on the computer is not needed as the ports are already blocked. Only if opened on the router may a software firewall be needed, but a router acts as a safe and better hardware version

It is safe running a home computer without a firewall when using a router such as netgears with NAT. I've been doing it since wireless networks became popular with 4 pc's connected and never had a security prob. Nor has anyone else I know that I've set it up for.. (a lot).

Rex_Mundi

We'll have to agree to disagree on the advice you are giving in this instance.

I've got to say that after having just had a look around the net on home networking, your view is very much in the minority. Most places I've seen recommend running both types of firewall (router+software firewall) and I would always put both on a network myself.

MercilessKiller

We shall agree to disagree.

It can be hassle for standard home users to configure router and norton settings to get them to function fully. Without norton and ports blocked incoming and outgoing there is no need for it. So I would stick to my guns. Have good anti virus and a good hardware firewall and thats all you need for me

orainsear

I too only use a hardware firewall (I have a Netgear router), however there is absolutely no problem using the belt and braces approach of both, providing they do not conflict. The advantage of a software firewall over some older (less configurable) hardware firewalls is that many older hardware firewalls may not be able to pick up outgoing programs that piggyback on other applications, e.g. a net worm piggybacking on an outlook express e-mail and using the same open port as outlook express. A single hardware firewall can protect an entire network, however a software firewall must be installed and configured on each individual machine.

What is important is that:

1. You have at least one firewall configured with the correct rules
2. You have a decent anti-viral program with the latest anti-virus database updates. (I use Kaspersky 5)

Another prudent measure would be to use a program such as AdAware or Spybot to protect against spyware/adware/malware.

Oh another measure would be to ditch the current version of Internet Explorer and use Firefox or Opera.

MercilessKiller

Thank you for backing me up orainsear...

See? its not just me with that opinion. I think depending on what you search in google it will give you different results. What we think is not a minority. It's just what we think