[Michelangelo]

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]

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]

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]

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]

ok, thanks for the info

 

[johnwill]

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.