Firewall router

[Mark G.]

I friend of mine who seems to know quite a bit about computer says that
since I have a D-Link router for my cable modem that I do not need anything
like Zone Alarm to help protect me because all it is a port blocker like
Zone Alarm. Although the other night I used a program from a site called
Leak Test and it was able to get into my computer. I do not want to allow
others into my machine. What does this group think about this? Thanks.

 

[Chris Lanier]

If you have a router with a firewall you dont need another piece of software
running on your machine.

 

[mrtee]

That test showed that ANY PROGRAM that wants to connect to the internet can.

The only way that you would that a program is connecting or wants to connect is with a firewall.

Read the description of LeakTest at www.grc.com and while you are there read about his other programs and read about firewalls there too.

--
Just my ¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| I friend of mine who seems to know quite a bit about computer says that
| since I have a D-Link router for my cable modem that I do not need anything
| like Zone Alarm to help protect me because all it is a port blocker like
| Zone Alarm. Although the other night I used a program from a site called
| Leak Test and it was able to get into my computer. I do not want to allow
| others into my machine. What does this group think about this? Thanks.
|
|

 

[CZ]

I friend of mine who seems to know quite a bit about computer says that
since I have a D-Link router for my cable modem that I do not need anything
like Zone Alarm to help protect me because all it is a port blocker like
Zone Alarm. Although the other night I used a program from a site called
Leak Test and it was able to get into my computer. I do not want to allow
others into my machine. What does this group think about this? Thanks.


Mark:

IMO, listen to Bruce, and not your friend.

Bruce's post:
" Your friend is half right. A NAT router is often better than a
software product, at least to block unwanted incoming traffic.
However, even good hardware firewalls do nothing to protect the
user from him/herself. Almost all spyware and many Trojans and worms
are downloaded and installed deliberately (albeit unknowingly) by the
user. So a software firewall that can detect and warn the user of
unauthorized out-going traffic is an important element of protecting
one's privacy and security.
Bruce Chambers "