firewalls

[zak_swan]

i've not got much experience of firewalls, i used to use outpost then i got a router and that had it's own firewall so i uninstalled outpost, but i think i may have also turned off the router firewall somewhere along the line, so the only firewall i have is the xp SP2 one.
is this terribly wrong?
firewalls are a minefield to me, i think if i block something i might not get get emails or on yahoo ever again.
does this post mean ppl are going to attack my SP2 firewall just to stick it up Bill?
What's the best way to go?
How do u know if it's windows wanting an outgoing connection or spyware thing?

Also i watched silly tv selling channel thing and they had PC without certain products. after 10 mins armagedon had set upon PC it was f*cked with viruses, spyware, trojans and any other number of things.....
Well i set up a PC in my daughters room, no firewall no anti virus no nothing and it was still going stong a year later. How come?

[redwudz]

The 'firewall' in most routers is just that they use Network Address Translation or NAT. With a router the address your computer uses is an internal one, not the internet one. That makes it more difficult to break into your system. There are a lot of adjustments in your router software if you want to increase the security beyond that. Here's a good site for that. http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1618&page=6

I use the XP firewall, though Zone Alarm probably is better. Turning off UPnP, Remote Assistance, Remote Desktop and even File Sharing is also a good idea, if you don't need any of them. Not using Java and Active-X is also good.

Many of the malicious viruses, trojans and spyware will only come in if you invite them. If you generally stay out of the places where they are, you shouldn't have too many problems.

I do run a antivirus program, along with Spybot S&D and Spyware Blaster and that takes care of most of them. I still get occasional problems, (Mainly from going to the places mentioned above.) but those programs can usually find and disable the stuff that is not blocked in the first place.

Some people go for years with no problems. I've managed to download accidentally more than a couple of times enough spyware and crap to force me to reformat and reinstall Windows to get rid of it all. But you get smarter every time and learn what to avoid.

[stiltman]

I use a linksys (router/antivirus/NAT) appliance, but I don't rely on it for being a firewall. I use a PIX for that. I run McAfee too, and I have never had a virus on my computer.

[zak_swan]

thanks guys.

[disturbed1]

Firewalls and other security software will work, and work great if it's set up correctly.

If you are not familar with the settings in a firewall, I'd stay away from things like Zone Alarm, Norton Personal Firewall, kerio..... An incorrectly set firewall can make your internet browsing a nightmare. They can block email recieving/sending, complete web access, or just access to certain sites. Even FTP downloads from HP or Epson.

The problem is, everytime a program attempts to connect to the internet, a little window will pop up to let you know whats going on. However the description the program gives isn't always good. Also, when people see WARNING! . they think this is bad, and hit block. Not reading enough to see that they just blocked IE from ever getting out on the Internet.

On my windows machines, my security software is Avast Antivirus, Microsoft Anti Spy (not always on), XP firewall, and a Linksys router.

My girlfriend has had a couple of trojans/worms, and plenty of spyware. But I've never been infected with anything besides GATOR/GAIN. Which was my fault for not reading the EULA. We both use IE with all the default settings, and the google toolbar to help block pop ups that get by SP2.