Is the firewall dead?

**RetiredGeek** · 2012-05-16 05:15

Here's one point of view. What is yours?

**CLiNT** · 2012-05-16 05:28

I don't agree with the article.
Firewalling is still usefull and will continue to be so into the foreseeable future.
The things is, with the newer operating systems, (Windows Vista/7/8) one realy doesn't need a 3rd party solution anymore.
What is currently provided with the operating system is more and adequate protection.

***ruirib*** · 2012-05-16 07:09

I don't agree, either. I will keep using a 3rd party firewall as it is part of my security baseline, because there are other features from the software I use that are relevant. I will do the same with anti-malware / AV. There are good free options, but there are paid ones that are better, so I will stick with what I think is best.

**Doc Brown** · 2012-05-16 08:28

This is a bit like saying that since burglars break windows to get in your home more than they pick locks, you no longer need the locks on your doors. What a foolish thought. Then when the bad guys know that no one uses locks anymore, they'll just walk in the front door. The reality is that your router/firewall is constantly being bombarded by port scanners, for exactly the reason the author says isn't happening anymore. They will always look for the easiest way in.

**Roderunner** · 2012-05-16 09:28

In a recent topic I posted about Mozilla's Maintainance Service addon that allowed new versions to be installed that bypassed the UAC. Fortunately for me, it never happened thanks to my Outpost Firewall Pro. Long live good FW'S.

**Medico** · 2012-05-16 15:47

I have to agree with all my esteemed colleagues. I will never be caught without a firewall. In fact I have 2, my S/W firewall (presently using Windows Firewall) and my H/W firewall in my router.

**RetiredGeek** · 2012-05-16 19:59

Geez guys! I thought I could stir up at least a little controversy with that post.

However, I'm with you all. I use both H/W & S/W firewalls and will continue to do so until Diogenes finds what he is looking for.

**jwitalka** · 2012-05-17 10:54

To each his own. I haven't used a third party software firewall for over 5 years now and haven't had an issue. I feel very comfortable with the Windows Firewall along side my router's firewall.

Jerry

**CLiNT** · 2012-05-17 10:57

Most high speed ISP's are getting better at firewalling at the ISP level and in their supplied routers.

**RetiredGeek** · 2012-05-17 15:11

Here's the follow up article.

**Banyarola** · 2012-05-19 06:02

I never heard of the author, Roger Grimes but I think he's full of it...
After all that gibberish he wrote I'm willing to bet he STILL uses a firewall..

I don't understand why guys like him put out this stuff. Especially when it doesn't cost anything to run a firewall and the protection it offers is of more value then his suggestion of not using one.

**RetiredGeek** · 2012-05-19 08:10

Bany,

Actually, I think articles like this are very useful as they get us to rethink things. Even if we don't change our minds at least we aren't doing things just because "that's the way we've always done it!" Roger may have put it out as a "red herring" just to make us rethink things who knows.

**Banyarola** · 2012-05-19 08:29

Well RG, I disagree. It wouldn't be so bad if he would at least put in a note to people not to stop using firewalls and that he was only theorizing on the subject....

There are a lot of users out there that, after reading that, would just stop using a firewall but would think twice before doing so if he didn't write the article giving the impression that a firewall is a waste of time.

Most users don't have the knowledge of security features and could end up with a paper weight for a computer after reading that article and accepting it as fact.

***ruirib*** · 2012-05-19 08:42

It must be hard to have a rigid article schedule, so sometimes not so well thought out things may come out. It also must be a goal do draw as much attention as possible. Nothing like saying a controversial thing to achieve the latter.

**Banyarola** · 2012-05-19 09:11

Well, I'm not as kind as you guys...
Articles like that cause a lot of problems for people...

Unlike you ruib, I don't think it's controversial...I think it's irresponsible..

If he wanted to be controversial he would have stated that up front and offered it as an opinion piece for public debate..

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