To Firewall or Not to Firewall?

[Keebler Elf]

What do you think? I already have solid, up-to-date antivirus software and I scan my drives every couple weeks to get rid of all the spyware lurking around out there. I'm online and downloading/uploading a lot, but my antivirus is keeping out almost all the bad shit out there.

So do I need a firewall? What's it going to do? I've heard that firewalls fark up some programs and cause them to fail. True?

Anyone out there have any experiences with firewalls? I realize it's better security, but I don't know if I see the need (for the added cost)...

 

[drlove]

A firewall wouldn't hurt... I recommend Zone Alarm.

 

[Sargon]

I'm have Zone Alarm and it work fine for me.

P.S.: My OS is XP home edition.

 

[canucklehead]

If i used Windows i would definitely get a Firewall preferably a hardware firewall. I would also check on sourceforge for a app like Lil Snitch for Windows.

 

[Jade4u]

I also use zone alarm and it works fantastic for me too. I think it is best to keep the stuff out rather than to let it in in the first place.

 

[calloway]

Easy choice... Zone Alarm.

 

[SucroseFree]

Most firewalls are easy to configure and shouldn't cause alot of problems

I rather have a firewall than anti-virus software.

 

[jwmorrice]

Somebody say Linux?

Every couple years I get involved with some flavour of Linux. The other night I installed SUSE Linux 9.2 Professional. Novell doesn't pretend it's for the average computer user so it's not really for me. Nonetheless I thought, 'What the hay. Let's have a look'. There was a lot of space on my old computer that wasn't being used.

I'd have to say that the installation process is a lot better than it used to be just a couple years ago. At that time I was trying out Mandrake. SUSE successfully detected all my devices. Points for that. And the programme had no trouble hooking itself up to my router. There I was, on the internet, almost from the get-go!! Still more points for that.

The default browser is Konqueror and it is fast. The fonts are good looking. Posts I typed looked a lot better than what I get with I.E. or Firefox in W2K. However, some websites are just inaccessible to the browser. For example, trying to look at any story in the Globe and Mail caused the browser to crash. The Washington Post website told me I had to have cookies enabled to sign in. Well, they were enabled but to no avail. No trouble with the New York Times. So, there are some difficulties in using this browser. I realize it's probably the websites that are the problem, but that doesn't help me read a story.

I thought that the solution would be Firefox for Linux. Downloaded the thing, used it, closed it, and then couldn't find it again! Eventually I found it but couldn't figure how to get a functioning link onto the desktop. Okay, I'm an idiot with some of this stuff. Overall, I just found the process of setting up a new programme wasn't as intuitive as it is with the W2K. Mr. Bill knows he's dealing with some computer morons!

A similar thing happened when I changed the background picture or wallpaper. I later wanted to go back to it but where the fark had that photo gone? I'm sure I didn't delete it from the programme. The Trash Can was empty. I found other backgrounds in the programme but not the original. Sigh!

For someone who knows what they are doing, there are lots of choices but for this poor soul, almost too many.

I'll keep Linux on my old pc. Hey, during the installation it automatically repartitioned one of my hard drives and even if I remove the OS, the partition remains. I don't want to fool about with repartitioning. Besides, Linux allowed me to keep my W2K and I can select Windows as the default system at boot up. Less aggravation that way. I can go back to my W2K just as before and revisit Linux at my leisure.

jwm

 

[canucklehead]

If i am not using OSX i use a flavour of Nix when i am paranoid i use BSD when less so a Fedora or Mandrake variation for PPC. At one of my contract school boards i consult for they have over 2500 macs running osx and only 65 PCs in the whole school board all running XP all up to date with their service packs and Norton 9 server pushing out there virus prefs but when i check their help desk DB 85 % of the help desk calls are their pcs .......their PC support contract is with IBM and MS and their own techs come see the machines....... now i have to admit the problems are often found between the seat and the keyboard but still ........ also since i migrated all their servers over to OSX XServes they have 98% uptime for full services ... personally i believe if they got rid of their assante switches we would see closer to 100% ............ regress .....sigh yeah so get rid of Windows do yourself a favour.

 

[drlove]

Uhh...

Would someone mind translating that into plain english??

 

[Keebler Elf]

Ok, returning this thread to its original topic.

It's not a question of "why not?", it's a question of "why?". What added value does it bring to the table. I'm not having problems with viruses so what else will a firewall do? I'm using and will continue to use Windows, so that's not an issue either.

So far I haven't read any good reasons to use a firewall. Are there any?

 

[SucroseFree]

A firewall will stop unwanted incoming and outgoing network communications.

Outgoing - stops software, except what you allow, to communicate out to the Internet. So spyware cannot communicate back to its originator. You will know what is going on with your network traffic and control it.

Incoming - stops hackers from taking over your system by exploiting any security flaws, especially on the OS level. The hacker might not even know that your comptuer is connected to the Internet. You will make your computer a harder target from outside attacks.

 

[canucklehead]

Firewall advantages are you are some what secure from exploits that are yet undiscovered with Windows.
Winston our Assante's are the old 5010 and seem to have nothing but errors on the ports that accumulate until the Switch freezes. The closet of Ciscos i have set up have 99.9 % uptime.

If you want to be productive get a Mac,
If you want to program get Linux,
If you want to Geek out get Unix.
if you want to play Solitaire get Windows.

 

[drlove]

Zone Alarm

You'd be surprised at the number of port scans it picks up. Also, Zone Alarm has an internet lock which allows you to stop all internet related activities if you find yourself under attack from a virus and/or hacker.

 

[canucklehead]

I am sure there are tons of different tools for scanning and seeking open prey out there. http://www.insecure.org is one of many places to find free tools meant for System Admins but that are grabbed by every kid on the planet that thinks he/she is a hacker. Trinity in the 2nd Matrix used NMap to do a port scan of the power grid to find an open port.