Do I need firewall on both computers on a LAN?

Stubbo · 12-04-2005, 08:12 PM

I have two computers connected by LAN

First has an internet connection and firewall active.

Second connects to internet through first.

Do I need firewall running on second or is the firewall on first
enough?

RVictim87 · 12-04-2005, 10:11 PM

Since the first computer is providing the internet connection for the second computer, all information sent to and from the internet on either computer is going to have to pass through the firewall on the first computer so it should be sufficient. You do, however, always have the option of adding a firewall to the second computer, but it may prove to be more trouble than it's worth.

Stubbo · 12-05-2005, 05:48 PM

Thanks to RVictim87 for your reply

**LoneWolf071** · 12-06-2005, 09:37 AM

I Would Recommend A FireWall, Becuase While a router will block incoming accepted ports, A firewall will block connections firectly on the software layer, such as spyware or trojans...

**jnob** · 12-07-2005, 11:12 AM

I disabled the firewalls on my home network because the router was doing a fine job of blocking the ports. That is until Sunday, one of the users went to some rather malicious web-sites (didn't d/l anything just clicked bad links) and it ended up taking me almost a whole day to clean the infection.

I would suggest at least having a firewall installed and enabling it when: not using the computer, someone else is using the computer, or when visiting new web-sites.

12-04-2005, 08:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Stubbo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 5 OS: Win XP	Do I need firewall on both computers on a LAN? I have two computers connected by LAN First has an internet connection and firewall active. Second connects to internet through first. Do I need firewall running on second or is the firewall on first enough? __________________ Stubbo of Oz

12-04-2005, 10:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
RVictim87 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove, California (GMT - 08:00) Posts: 49 OS: Windows: XP, 2003, iMac G3, OpenBSD 3.8	Since the first computer is providing the internet connection for the second computer, all information sent to and from the internet on either computer is going to have to pass through the firewall on the first computer so it should be sufficient. You do, however, always have the option of adding a firewall to the second computer, but it may prove to be more trouble than it's worth. Last edited by RVictim87; 12-04-2005 at 10:14 PM.

12-05-2005, 05:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stubbo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 5 OS: Win XP	Thanks to RVictim87 for your reply __________________ Stubbo of Oz

12-06-2005, 09:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
LoneWolf071 Be Free Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 840 OS: Windows XP, Linux	I Would Recommend A FireWall, Becuase While a router will block incoming accepted ports, A firewall will block connections firectly on the software layer, such as spyware or trojans... __________________ Suicide Command in Linux : rm -rf / ;) AIM:TheLoneWolf071@aim.com--If You Need Help, Don't Hesitate...

12-07-2005, 11:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
jnob TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Valley Posts: 692 OS: XP Pro, SP2 My System	firewall I disabled the firewalls on my home network because the router was doing a fine job of blocking the ports. That is until Sunday, one of the users went to some rather malicious web-sites (didn't d/l anything just clicked bad links) and it ended up taking me almost a whole day to clean the infection. I would suggest at least having a firewall installed and enabling it when: not using the computer, someone else is using the computer, or when visiting new web-sites.