Difference between Firewalls?

[Jeremizzle]

Windows Fiewall v Netgeat Router Firewall v Norton Firewall

Is there any difference between these? Im having a lot of annoying problems with firewalls. One of which is AIM signing off every five minutes which really gets on my nerves. Which one of these do you reccomend I use, and is easiest to configure? ...Or is a firewall even really that important? Do I really desperatelly need one even when I'm not screwing around on the internet?

[fire1811]

IMO yes a firewall is important.
i run norton firewall and windows attempt at a firewall(although better after sp2) on my desktop and have no problems.

on my laptop i run a free firewall called zonealarm.

are you sure thats its the firewall disconnection your aim?

[Jeremizzle]

I really cant think of any other reason why it would disconnect. I disabled the router firewall now, and Im using the windows firewall and it hasnt disconnected yet, I think it may have solved the problem. Also there was issues with hosting games etc. but now all i have to do is admit that program through windows...i think

[xmetal2001]

I use just my router's firewalls and have no problems.

[Jeremizzle]

Well this is a pretty cheap router, and I've had trouble with it giving out when downloading for a long period of time. I think theres some compatibility issue or something

[Rhinopkc]

Did you try checking to see if there is a firmware update available for your router?

[Jeremizzle]

Did you try checking to see if there is a firmware update available for your router?

Yes infact i hadto the latest version, 4.8, and then emailed tech support and asked why I was having all of these problems, and they told me to have firmware 4.1 or something, and that still doesnt work.

I think I'm just going to try and use this windows firewall, if its essentially the same thing as the router and Norton firewall.

[Fixion]

Windows firewall and norton firewall are both software firewalls, alghtough I would think the norton firewall is better, they are most likely both more configurable than your nethgear router firewall, which is hardware based. Sometimes router companies decide to call NAT a fire wall, which it really isn't, but it does protect your network to an extent. But you probably have a "real" firewall built into your router. I recommend Zone Alarm or Norton Firewall if you want to run one on your computer, and I would leave the routers firewall disabled.

None of them can fully protect your computer, but they do help to an extent. If you're already behind a router, I wouldn't bother with a firewall. Just run an anti virus program regularly.

The safest way is to run a well configured Linux or BSD. Like me . Close all your ports except the ones necessary, and keep up to date with the security updates (windows updates in your case).

Best firewall setup IMO (linux/unix): Properly configured IPtables, and Snort... and close all the ports that you don't need.

[Bluestrike_2]

I will agree with Fixion on that point.

The best way to avoid problems is to run another OS other than Windows. Whether SUSE, etc (Linux), Mac OSX, etc.

Security through obscurity. That, and they are inherently more secure by nature.

Another thing is that, with any important files that you consider "mission critical" is to have them completely isolated. No internet. No connections, period. That is the number one way to avoid problems iike Spyware and viruses, next to OS X, Linux, and other operating systems.

Unless your not connected, ever, even physically, you should have a firewall. Better safe than sorry.

Also, are you sure that it is your firewall causing the problems? Check, like reinstall AIM. Or use another client using the AIM system. Good luck!

IMHO, I feel that Windows firewall would be the least safe option. Why? Well, quite simply, it's tied into Windows. Which has a few holes, if you catch my drift. Thus, and I DO NOT KNOW IF THESE THOUGHTS ARE UNFOUNDED, SO TAKE MY OPINION ON THIS SPECIFIC matter with a grain of salt, it wouldn't be very hard to get around. Please, correct me if I am wrong, although it is a valid concern. Food for thought.

Personally, the hardware firewall would be the smartest decision, in my opinion.

[Jeremizzle]

Well i've tried using linux before...but that didnt last very long. I deemed myself retarded after I tried and tried to just install the driver from the CD...but could not.