Windows Firewall enough?

[Dick-Y]

I have a desktop system running W7 Home Premium. My question is: for those not using a hardware firewall
do you use W7's firewall alone, or use it with another firewall Like Comodo (free)?
I'm asking because I have been running both; but in playing around and trying to speed up my boot
time, I uninstalled Comodo. I save 18 seconds on my boot time, but the W7 firewall alone fails the Gibson
"Leak test." Alone, and with the Comodo firewall, I also run MSSE.
Do any of you have any comments, suggestions, etc.?

Thanks for any advice,
Dick

[Tarbo]

My only comment is that I only pay attention to a hardware firewall and none to a software firewall unless I need to check an exception to make sure it has access. Also zero resources consumed at the system level and they make nice little portable hardware firewalls for business on the road as well.

Software firewalls that report outgoing are for people who want to keep tabs on updaters and other phone home applications--ones that just have to know.
It is not an effective means of malware protection other than the possibility that "stupid" malware may give itself away and let you know you've be transgressed at some point in the past.

[Medico]

The firewall in Win 7 has received much more positive press in these forums and elsewhere that it's predecesors. I use just the Win 7 firewall, my hardware firewall on my router and MSE for my real time security protection.

[tfspry]

Have you enabled the router's firewall?

[jscher2000]

they make nice little portable hardware firewalls for business on the road as well.

Byron, is there a particular product you have in mind?

[Medico]

Have you enabled the router's firewall?

Yes I have.

[tfspry]

Sorry Ted, I was asking if Dick-Y has enabled his router's firewall.

[Dick-Y]

Sorry, my question and background info. must not have been clear. I dont have a hardware router.

Btw, for non-techie types like me, who have a cable provider like RoadRunner, how hard is it
to set up a hardware router, and what are some good brands?

Thanks for the help,
Dick

[chowur]

How to Buy Home Networking Products:PC World

[Dick-Y]

Ok. Read the PCWorld article, and my head is spinning. Would something like this:

Linksys WRT54GL 802.11b/g Wireless Broadband Router up to 54Mbps/ Open Source DD-WRT

be something I could use as a hardware firewall for my RoadRunner-cabled desktop?
Thanks,
Dick

[JoeP517]

Ok. Read the PCWorld article, and my head is spinning. Would something like this:

Linksys WRT54GL 802.11b/g Wireless Broadband Router up to 54Mbps/ Open Source DD-WRT

be something I could use as a hardware firewall for my RoadRunner-cabled desktop?
Thanks,
Dick

Your cable modem may be a router/modem and have a hardware firewall in it. What is the make & model?

If it is not you should still check with RoadRunner to make sure that the router you choose is OK. It should not be an issue these days but better to be safe than have to go through a return process.

Joe

[Dick-Y]

Joe:
Thanks. According to RoadRunner my modem does not have a hardware firewall in it. Also, this morning
I engaged in an online "chat" with a tech person from Time Warner/Road Runner.
He said "any router with an Ethernet port for incoming" would work" and that
after I picked one out I should contact that vendor's tech support for setting it up.

So, the ball's back in my court; which is why I'm seeking help here.

Dick

[JoeP517]

The one you picked should work for a wired connection. If you think you'll be using wireless I'd find one that supports the "N" standard (newest, fastest) instead of just "b" & "g". Otherwise, if you are sure you aren't going to use wireless then I'd disabled it in the router configuration. No reason to have it available so someone from the outside can try to connect.

Joe

[tfspry]

I like Linksys/Cisco products.

I have been using Linksys WRT160N Wireless-N for a couple of years.

[Dick-Y]

Thanks Joe and Tim:
I just purchased a Linksys E2000, and hopefully the installation goes as easy as it looks.
Dick