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Is a software firewall really necessary if I get my wireless connection through an Actiontec router?
liveandlearn1
Enthusiast - Level 2
‎10-18-2010 09:43 PM
 
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Re: Is a software firewall really necessary if I get my wireless connection through an Actiontec rou
topdog
Specialist - Level 2
‎10-19-2010 04:35 AM

My understanding is that a router offers some protection, but you will be better protected if you have the software.

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Re: Is a software firewall really necessary if I get my wireless connection through an Actiontec rou
FSC2
Contributor - Level 1
‎10-19-2010 07:10 AM

If you have to ask that question then you need a third party firewall.

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Re: Is a software firewall really necessary if I get my wireless connection through an Actiontec rou
jumpin68ny
Master - Level 2
‎10-19-2010 10:43 AM

So the Actiontec firewall protects you from folks outside your internet trying to hack into your network.  What a software firewall may (and note I say may) is protect your PC when you are online with your computer connected to various internet sites.

Personally I don't use a personal firewall and have never had any issues.  As a matter of fact I don't use any of the paid for Virus Scan programs because you pay them a lot of money each year and if something does get through they don't offer to fix it for free.  

I stick with AVAST or AVG and run malaware programs occasionally.  Honestly my 4 yr old PC runs as fast as it was new.

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Re: Is a software firewall really necessary if I get my wireless connection through an Actiontec rou
VZ_Dwayzo
Enthusiast - Level 3
‎10-23-2010 06:01 PM

The router firewall helps stop incoming requests to your network.

Software Firewalls will do the same, but will also often adv you if your computer is making unwanted outgoing requests which would bypass the routers firewall.

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Re: Is a software firewall really necessary if I get my wireless connection through an Actiontec rou
Anti-Phish1
Master - Level 1
‎10-24-2010 01:19 PM
@VZ_Dwayzo wrote:

The router firewall helps stop incoming requests to your network.

Software Firewalls will do the same, but will also often adv you if your computer is making unwanted outgoing requests which would bypass the routers firewall.

A router firewall can also be configured to block unknown outgoing requests (Actiontec default is allow).

However, it is not as convenient to deal with exceptions as a software firewall.

A software firewall will usually provide a pop-up telling you program xyz is trying to access the internet.

"Do you want to allow access (one time, permantently, etc)."

If a router firewall is set to block unknown outgoing requests, the request from an unknown program will simply be dropped.

Also, software firewalls "may" protect your PC from another computer on your network which is infected, while the router firewall can not do that.

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