Router firewall vs Zonealarm?

GetOutOfBox · 04-15-2009, 04:01 PM

Hi, I've had Zonealarm Internet Security for about a year now, and I've always noticed how it slows down my internet connection. I know this is to be expected, it examins packets as they enter the computer which is bound to slow down things, I'm not asking how to fix this, I just was thinking though, my ISP assigns dynamic IP's and my computer is not assigned a public IP. The router uses NAT routing to get stuff to me, so people can't remotely connect to my ip (192.168.*.*) unless their mad hackers and are determined to ruin me. I don't host any form of server other than the occasional gaming server, so I dont have more than 2 or 3 ports open, yes I know crackers can still get in through those ports, but the game servers I have don't have root access, so it would be quite a bit of work to get some shell code through my gameing server and install a rootkit, I don't have anything people would want on my computer. So what I'm asking is, will disabling my firewall greatly decrease my security, I know its going to a little bit, but I want more performance. Thanks in advance!

**simpswr** · 04-15-2009, 04:03 PM

I have been useing Windows Firewall on any systm that is behind a firewall router for 5 years now and would never go back to the bothersome third-party firewalls

GetOutOfBox · 04-15-2009, 04:34 PM

ok gotcha, im going to get rid of it. It's an amzing firewall, and has the bonus of stopping trojans from getting outgoing access, but it's not worth it. I have NOD32 and it should catch trojans immediatly as its the highest rated anti malware.

alpenadiver · 04-16-2009, 04:26 AM

That is about the only plus about a third party firewall is that it will let you know about any outbound connections, where windows firewall won't. Anyway windows firewall behind a NAT router is more than adequate for basic internet usage.

asgley · 04-17-2009, 04:09 PM

your network firewall should control both inbound and outbund traffic, then a basic host based firewall to prevent outbreaks are generally ok.
just dont use your machine with admin privs like most people do... fail

Asg

gvmsia · 09-13-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asgley

just dont use your machine with admin privs like most people do... fail

Asg

could u pls explain this further? i have xp home with sp3. i create accounts with no admin rights for all who use the pc, but i access my pc as administrator. is that the wrong way to do it? if wrong, can u let me know step by step what to do. thanks

04-15-2009, 04:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
GetOutOfBox Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 134 OS: Windows 7 x64 Build 7600	Router firewall vs Zonealarm? Hi, I've had Zonealarm Internet Security for about a year now, and I've always noticed how it slows down my internet connection. I know this is to be expected, it examins packets as they enter the computer which is bound to slow down things, I'm not asking how to fix this, I just was thinking though, my ISP assigns dynamic IP's and my computer is not assigned a public IP. The router uses NAT routing to get stuff to me, so people can't remotely connect to my ip (192.168..) unless their mad hackers and are determined to ruin me. I don't host any form of server other than the occasional gaming server, so I dont have more than 2 or 3 ports open, yes I know crackers can still get in through those ports, but the game servers I have don't have root access, so it would be quite a bit of work to get some shell code through my gameing server and install a rootkit, I don't have anything people would want on my computer. So what I'm asking is, will disabling my firewall greatly decrease my security, I know its going to a little bit, but I want more performance. Thanks in advance! __________________ Be careful, for you're treading on my dreams.

04-15-2009, 04:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,226 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Router firewall vs Zonealarm? I have been useing Windows Firewall on any systm that is behind a firewall router for 5 years now and would never go back to the bothersome third-party firewalls __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

04-15-2009, 04:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
GetOutOfBox Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 134 OS: Windows 7 x64 Build 7600	Re: Router firewall vs Zonealarm? ok gotcha, im going to get rid of it. It's an amzing firewall, and has the bonus of stopping trojans from getting outgoing access, but it's not worth it. I have NOD32 and it should catch trojans immediatly as its the highest rated anti malware. __________________ Be careful, for you're treading on my dreams.

04-16-2009, 04:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
alpenadiver Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Alpena, Michigan Posts: 346 OS: Windows XP Pro, Windows 7 My System	Re: Router firewall vs Zonealarm? That is about the only plus about a third party firewall is that it will let you know about any outbound connections, where windows firewall won't. Anyway windows firewall behind a NAT router is more than adequate for basic internet usage.

04-17-2009, 04:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
asgley Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 105 OS: xp32, vista64, gentoo, rhle4, rhel 5 64, centos 64, debian, solaris, 2k3, 2k8	Re: Router firewall vs Zonealarm? your network firewall should control both inbound and outbund traffic, then a basic host based firewall to prevent outbreaks are generally ok. just dont use your machine with admin privs like most people do... fail Asg