Router firewall or ZoneAlarm???

by are_emm Jan 24, 2005 8:46AM PST

Hi all. I have a wireless router, (DLink), with a built-in firewall and was wondering if that's enough protection from things like virus' and spyware, or if I should also install Zone Alarm? I use Spybot and AdAware SE for spyware and adware elimination, but I'm wondering if my router's firewall is sufficient enough to do away with the need for Zone Alarm.

Thanks.

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It's wise to use both.

by BumFluff Oct 15, 2005 5:35AM PDT

A router stops inbound intrusions while a software firewall stops outbound intrusions. Say a trojan was attempting to call home... a software firewall would stop that while a hardware router wouldn't.

A router does not protect you from what's on your computer already.

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Many good comments, BUT!

by nigel1 Oct 15, 2005 11:43AM PDT

If you want to find out how safe your system realy is then I suggest you go to the Gibson Research web site and try out the Port probe and Leak test programs. They are free and will tell you if any ports are open and if anything on your system can report out to home base. There is also a lot of good Security information available there. I have been running an early AMD 1600XP since its release, D-Link Router, MS XP Home, Zone Alarm (free version), Norton AntiVirus, Spybot, and Ad-Aware. In three years no viruses, Trogens, or problems of any kind.

P.S. If you are having trouble with Zone Alarm it may be your provider causing the problem. Iknow personally of at least two cases where a particular cable DSL provider in Canada has told a subscriber they will cut them off if they use Zone Alarm. I wonder what they do not like about it "PRIVACY CONCERNS ANYONE".