Firewall Question

[Whitey]

Hello. I am running a new PC with Vista Home Premium. I am a McAfee
subscriber and use the firewall/virus scan features.
When I tried to install the McAfee, it stopped midway and stated that the
system already has a antivirus installed which must be deactivated. So I
uninstalled the factory antivirus software and McAfee installed
satisfactorily.
So it seems that only ONE antivirus software can operate at any given time.
OK, that I understand now, but what about firewalls?
The McAfee has its own firewall, and of course the Windows system has its
own firewall, and I even think my Roadrunner ISP connection has some sort of
protection as well. Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at once, or
does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the Windows
firewall?
Sorry that this isnt exclusively Vista oriented but I read this column daily
and there is a lot of very intelligent users here and I am sure some of you
will be kind enough to reply. Thanks in advance, Whitey

 

[Ǝиçεl]

Hello Whitey,

The rule of thumb is that you can use several anti-spyware applications but
never more than one anti-virus, real-time virus protector, firewall, pop-up
blocker or anti-phishing filter.
-=--

 

[Whitey]

That’s pretty much what I figured but I wanted opinions from the pro's! Many
thanks friend.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Is it OK to have multiple firewalls active at once, or
does the Mcfee overshadow the others? Should I turn OFF the Windows
firewall?

Don't run two firewalls. You achieve no extra protection, you incur
the extra overhead of running two firewalls, and you run the risk
(probably small, but not zero) of conflicts between them.

See http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/firewall.mspx
which includes the following:

"Q. Should I use both the built-in firewall and a software firewall
from a different company on my Windows XP computer?

"A. No. Running multiple software firewalls is unnecessary for typical
home computers, home networking, and small-business networking
scenarios. Using two firewalls on the same connection could cause
issues with connectivity to the Internet or other unexpected behavior.
One firewall, whether it is the Windows XP Internet Connection
Firewall or a different software firewall, can provide substantial
protection for your computer."

Also note that if you update your third-party firewall to a new
version, the update routine will probably turn it off first. If the
Windows firewall isn't running, you will temporarily be left with no
running firewall, which is very dangerous. So turn on the Windows
firewall temporarily before doing maintenance on your third-party
firewall.

One additional point: I wouldn't choose to use the McAfee firewall in
preference to the Windows firewall, but I also wouldn't choose to use
the McAfee anything in preference to anything else (except Norton
products). In my view, McAfee and Norton are the two worst security
companies out there.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

I would not run the risk. Turn off one software firewall or the other.
Your router/modem probably has some protection built in and this is really
where you should concentrate your protection - don't even let 'em in past
the gateway, stop them there.

 

[Whitey]

Thank You sir, great reply! TJ

Don't run two firewalls. You achieve no extra protection, you incur
the extra overhead of running two firewalls, and you run the risk
(probably small, but not zero) of conflicts between them.

See http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/firewall.mspx
which includes the following:

"Q. Should I use both the built-in firewall and a software firewall
from a different company on my Windows XP computer?

"A. No. Running multiple software firewalls is unnecessary for typical
home computers, home networking, and small-business networking
scenarios. Using two firewalls on the same connection could cause
issues with connectivity to the Internet or other unexpected behavior.
One firewall, whether it is the Windows XP Internet Connection
Firewall or a different software firewall, can provide substantial
protection for your computer."

Also note that if you update your third-party firewall to a new
version, the update routine will probably turn it off first. If the
Windows firewall isn't running, you will temporarily be left with no
running firewall, which is very dangerous. So turn on the Windows
firewall temporarily before doing maintenance on your third-party
firewall.

One additional point: I wouldn't choose to use the McAfee firewall in
preference to the Windows firewall, but I also wouldn't choose to use
the McAfee anything in preference to anything else (except Norton
products). In my view, McAfee and Norton are the two worst security
companies out there.

 

[Whitey]

Thanks my friend! Very appreciated! TJ

I would not run the risk. Turn off one software firewall or the other.
Your router/modem probably has some protection built in and this is really
where you should concentrate your protection - don't even let 'em in past
the gateway, stop them there.

 

[Richard G. Harper]

You are entirely welcome.

Thanks my friend! Very appreciated! TJ

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thank You sir, great reply! TJ

You're welcome. Glad to help.