Firewall requirement

[Omicron]

Hello,
If I have a LInksys router and WindowsXP built-in Firewall turned on,
is that sufficient protection from outside intrusions? I'm sick of
Norton Security's heavy RAM and CPU usage (IMHO) and I'd l like to
just use WinXP's firewall coupled with my router. I'd also like to
ditch NAV and go with one of the "free" ones.
Can I have your views on this thinking?
I am on a cable modem running WinXP with all updates/patches, etc.
Thxs.

 

[Chuck Davis]

Omicron,

I have a Linksys router also. Two years ago, I uninstalled Norton on both of
our computers and installed AVG Anti-virus Free (http://free.grisoft.com ),
I also have turned on the Windows XP built-in firewall as you suggested.

While you are at Grisoft, pick up the AVG Anti-Spyware Free (formerly EWIDO)

It is the standard practice of our computer club's house call folks to make
these changes.

 

[Rock]

Hello,
If I have a LInksys router and WindowsXP built-in Firewall turned on,
is that sufficient protection from outside intrusions? I'm sick of
Norton Security's heavy RAM and CPU usage (IMHO) and I'd l like to
just use WinXP's firewall coupled with my router. I'd also like to
ditch NAV and go with one of the "free" ones.
Can I have your views on this thinking?
I am on a cable modem running WinXP with all updates/patches, etc.

There are some good free 3rd party firewalls that are light on resources.
These will keep on eye on outbound as well as inbound traffic. XP's
firewall only monitors inbound. Any of these should be fine:

Sunbelt Software's Kerio Personal Firewall ( use this one)
Comodo Personal Firewall (this works well and is user friendly)
Zone Alarm Fee (recent versions are more bloated)

For AV there is AVG (free), Avast( free) , Anti-Vir ( free), NOD32 (paid but
top notch), CA eTrust (low cost).

Lastly make sure you're running several of the good, free anti-malware
programs that target non viral malware: Adaware SE Personal 1.06, Spybot
S&D, Windows Defender, Spyware Blaster.

 

[Merlin]

Hello,
If I have a LInksys router and WindowsXP built-in Firewall turned on,
is that sufficient protection from outside intrusions? I'm sick of
Norton Security's heavy RAM and CPU usage (IMHO) and I'd l like to
just use WinXP's firewall coupled with my router. I'd also like to
ditch NAV and go with one of the "free" ones.
Can I have your views on this thinking?
I am on a cable modem running WinXP with all updates/patches, etc.
Thxs.

I ditched NAV years ago and have been using Avast (free) ever since. Your
firewall is adequite for outside intrusions but if you want there are plenty
of free software firewalls that offer two way protection. I use COMODO
Firewall Pro which is free.

 

[Omicron]

Thank you ALL for your suggestions and observations.
Basd on what I have read here, I will send Norton packing!
Thanks again to everyone for the guidelines.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

If I have a LInksys router and WindowsXP built-in Firewall turned on,
is that sufficient protection from outside intrusions? I'm sick of
Norton Security's heavy RAM and CPU usage (IMHO) and I'd l like to
just use WinXP's firewall coupled with my router. I'd also like to
ditch NAV and go with one of the "free" ones.
Can I have your views on this thinking?

Regarding the firewall, the Windows firewall monitors incoming traffic only.
Since your router presumably does much the same thing as the Windows
firewall, there isn't a whole of benfit in using the Windows firewall. I
don't think it hurts you to run it, and I'm not exactly recommending turning
it off, but you should realize that it doesn't add much to what you have
without it.

Almost any third-party firewall will also monitor outbound traffic, stopping
rogue programs trying to call home, and is a better choice. A third-prty
program, because of its two-way capability, does add something to what your
router does. I use and like the free version of ZoneAlarm.

Regarding, NAV, getting rid of it is an excellent idea. In my view, it's the
worst of all possible anti-virus choices. I like the freeware Avast, but
there are other good choices.