Do I need a (second?) firewall?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I’m using a linksys wireless router (to which my computer is hardwired)… I remember reading that it acted as its own firewall.

So, do I need to install another?

2

Try dslreports.com

Tool section

There you can run a test to see how secure you connection is first. Gives a free report.

3

Hi dutchboy208
This is often a debated subject. See here.

4

Your Linksys device will only let certain stuff through to your computer, so having a firewall is less important. However, if you want to prevent programs on your computer from talking to the internet then you might want to consider a software firewall. I think by far the biggest menace on the internet is spyware… if you don’t get a firewall then at least look into AdAware or Spybot Search and Destroy.

Honestly I think if one gets a virus scanner and some spyware removal tools they’re computing experience is far less annoying :slight_smile:

5

I reccomend getting the free version of ZoneAlarm. You can tell it exactly which programs you want to access the internet, and it maintains a hash file of the programs, so if a virus spoofs an allowed programs (say by calling itself MozillaFirebird.exe) ZoneAlarm detects the change and blocks access, until you give the program permission again.

6

I reccomend getting the free version of ZoneAlarm. You can tell it exactly which programs you want to access the internet, and it maintains a hash file of the programs, so if a virus spoofs an allowed programs (say by calling itself MozillaFirebird.exe) ZoneAlarm detects the change and blocks access, until you give the program permission again.