Evaluate me please

**Michelangelo** · 10-09-2005, 08:42 AM

I need to know if I need a software firewall like Zonealarm.

I have a server online Apache2Triad
I have Windows XP SP2 (All Up to date)
I am behind a wi-fi router with WPA-TKIP (No DMZ)
I have AVG-free (Antivirus)
I have Spybot S&D
I have Ad-aware 1.06
I use Firefox (I only use IE for pcpitstop.com )

So with the Windows FW and Router, Do I need a software FW?

If you need more info, just ask.

P.S. I forwarded port 80 on my router to me and opened it on my Windows FW so I can have my server online.

johnwill · 10-09-2005, 10:57 AM

It really depends on how careful you are where you go on-line. I've run without a software firewall for years, and I've yet to get an infection. I also very rarely just go "surfing" and click on links willy-nilly. I don't do P2P or IM either.

I do run an up to date AV scanner, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, and I regularly scan with AdAware.

**Michelangelo** · 10-09-2005, 01:08 PM

I have had Zonealarm on other computers before, but it didn't seem to get anything. It got things all the time that I was told were only pings, but nothing besides that.

Just thought I'd ask since I have a server running.

**Resolution** · 10-09-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michelangelo

So with the Windows FW and Router, Do I need a software FW?

The Windows firewall IS a software firewall. You don't need to have two firewalls on the same machine. That would be redundant, resource intensive, and a conflict waiting to happen. The router should take care of the firewalling, but if you want to install a single firewall on your PC then you can.

**Michelangelo** · 10-09-2005, 05:27 PM

ok, thanks for the info

johnwill · 10-10-2005, 01:03 PM

If you're picking between ZoneAlarm and the Windows firewall, pick ZA. It gives you incoming and outgoing firewall protection, the Windows firewall is only an incoming firewall. If you have a router, you already have an incoming firewall, no need for another one.

10-09-2005, 08:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Michelangelo HTML, CSS, and JS Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northern NY Posts: 198 OS: HP (Vista HP64) / Tosh SatelliteM35X WinXP / Dell WinXP / Compaq Win98se / Packard Bell None(had 95)	Evaluate me please I need to know if I need a software firewall like Zonealarm. I have a server online Apache2Triad I have Windows XP SP2 (All Up to date) I am behind a wi-fi router with WPA-TKIP (No DMZ) I have AVG-free (Antivirus) I have Spybot S&D I have Ad-aware 1.06 I use Firefox (I only use IE for pcpitstop.com ) So with the Windows FW and Router, Do I need a software FW? If you need more info, just ask. P.S. I forwarded port 80 on my router to me and opened it on my Windows FW so I can have my server online.

10-09-2005, 10:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	It really depends on how careful you are where you go on-line. I've run without a software firewall for years, and I've yet to get an infection. I also very rarely just go "surfing" and click on links willy-nilly. I don't do P2P or IM either. I do run an up to date AV scanner, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, and I regularly scan with AdAware. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-10-2005, 01:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	If you're picking between ZoneAlarm and the Windows firewall, pick ZA. It gives you incoming and outgoing firewall protection, the Windows firewall is only an incoming firewall. If you have a router, you already have an incoming firewall, no need for another one. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-09-2005, 01:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Michelangelo HTML, CSS, and JS Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northern NY Posts: 198 OS: HP (Vista HP64) / Tosh SatelliteM35X WinXP / Dell WinXP / Compaq Win98se / Packard Bell None(had 95)	I have had Zonealarm on other computers before, but it didn't seem to get anything. It got things all the time that I was told were only pings, but nothing besides that. Just thought I'd ask since I have a server running.

10-09-2005, 05:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Michelangelo HTML, CSS, and JS Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northern NY Posts: 198 OS: HP (Vista HP64) / Tosh SatelliteM35X WinXP / Dell WinXP / Compaq Win98se / Packard Bell None(had 95)	ok, thanks for the info