I have a router, do I need a firewall?

Hi,

I have a Netgear DM602 ADSL modem/router with a wireless access point
supplying ADSL to 3 PCs in the house. I'm wondering if I need to
install personal firewalls on each of the PCs. I read that if the
router doesn't recognise incoming traffic then in just ignores it,
therefore firewalls on each of the PCs would be overkill wouldn't it?
I'm sure it'd be prudent to have firewalls if only to stop unwanted
outgoing traffic from trojans but advice needed!

Thanks in advance,
Phil

"Phil T" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Hi,
>
> I have a Netgear DM602 ADSL modem/router with a wireless access point
> supplying ADSL to 3 PCs in the house. I'm wondering if I need to
> install personal firewalls on each of the PCs. I read that if the
> router doesn't recognise incoming traffic then in just ignores it,
> therefore firewalls on each of the PCs would be overkill wouldn't it?
> I'm sure it'd be prudent to have firewalls if only to stop unwanted
> outgoing traffic from trojans but advice needed!
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Phil

That router/modem DM602 has a firewall built in that should be sufficient,
but I run a software firewall on my PC's that are linked to the
modem/router. I guess it is overkill, but it depends. I suggest that two
locked gates are better than just one.

I would run a software firewall on the independant PC's as well, for that
bit of added protection.

Best Wishes
Ray

"Phil T" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Hi,
>
> I have a Netgear DM602 ADSL modem/router with a wireless access point
> supplying ADSL to 3 PCs in the house. I'm wondering if I need to
> install personal firewalls on each of the PCs. I read that if the
> router doesn't recognise incoming traffic then in just ignores it,
> therefore firewalls on each of the PCs would be overkill wouldn't it?
> I'm sure it'd be prudent to have firewalls if only to stop unwanted
> outgoing traffic from trojans but advice needed!
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Phil

Use this link to check your pc's security
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/d...d=ie&venid=sym

Phil T wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have a Netgear DM602 ADSL modem/router with a wireless access point
> supplying ADSL to 3 PCs in the house. I'm wondering if I need to
> install personal firewalls on each of the PCs. I read that if the
> router doesn't recognise incoming traffic then in just ignores it,
> therefore firewalls on each of the PCs would be overkill wouldn't it?
> I'm sure it'd be prudent to have firewalls if only to stop unwanted
> outgoing traffic from trojans but advice needed!
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Phil

I reply on my Router's NAT, and I also enabled XP's firewall (SP2, which
does incoming and outgoing firewalling), I figure that's more than
enough. Others may disagree, and tell me how crap the XP firewall is
etc, but for me it's fine, and causes no latency issues (unlike some
very well known software firewalls I could mention).

"Phil T" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Hi,
>
> I have a Netgear DM602 ADSL modem/router with a wireless access point
> supplying ADSL to 3 PCs in the house. I'm wondering if I need to
> install personal firewalls on each of the PCs. I read that if the
> router doesn't recognise incoming traffic then in just ignores it,
> therefore firewalls on each of the PCs would be overkill wouldn't it?
> I'm sure it'd be prudent to have firewalls if only to stop unwanted
> outgoing traffic from trojans but advice needed!

Hi Phil you have answered your own post. If you inadvertently downloaded a
Trojan and it makes an outgoing connection to the internet, then a router
cannot distinguish that from a legitimate connection made.

See this thread as it is about a Netgear 602 and firewalls. It has 60 odd
posts and most of them have good valid reasons for (not) having personal
firewalls.
http://tinyurl.com/3e2uk


Steven.

There are several sites which test your PC for security & here is one to try
at Sygate http://www.sygatetech.com/

Just try all of their scans and see how your system comes out.

There are similar sites with firewall scans at Gibson Research
http://grc.com/default.htm and also Symantec

I'm running the firewall on my ST530 router and also the firewall on my
Trend Micro AV. I have tested my system with one or the other firewall
disabled & the ST530 router is the best (true stealth) although the Trend
Micro firewall has been updated since I did the tests.

On Mon, 26 Apr 2004 11:47:43 +0100, "John"
<kismet_iuk@_nospamhere_yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

>
>Use this link to check your pc's security
>http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/d...d=ie&venid=sym

unfortunately this one is as likely to test your ntl proxy. It doesn't
seem to dig beyond the proxy's ID to find your real IP.