Soft and Hard firewall

[Mark Miller]

Just set up network with 2 XP computers. My question is, do I need the software firewall now that I have a hardware firewall thru the router? If so which computer should have both firwalls? Should it be the host alone?
Thanks,
Mark:confused: By the way it's a wireless network The host is a desktop the wireless part is a notebook

[Steve]

The firewall in the router will be nice to have. You will be surprised at how often you DON'T get a hit message from ZA. (or whichever soft firewall you have)

I would still recommend a software firewall on both computers. It has the potential to catch anything that gets by the router but more important is that it will alert you to anything that tries to make a connection from your computer (trojans, spyware, etc.).

[Mark Miller]

Thanks Steve,
So I don't have to worry about the software firewalls on either computer blocking my connections or sharing of stuff over the network?
Mark:)

[Steve]

Well... yes you do. Are you using Zone Alarm? The router will assign an IP address to each computer. You can find the address of each computer by typing ipconfig at a command prompt. Once you have the address for each computer go to the "Firewall" section of ZA and add the other computers address to the list. Do that on both computers. If you're using a different firewall...how come? ;)

[Mark Miller]

The firewall I am using on the desktop is a free one that came with aol[we bring our own acess thru cable] my wife likes aol so we use both. it's Mcafee and works great on the desktop. There is no place to put an ip address in the firewall. If I am running it on the host computer [the desktop] won't that protect the laptop? If not I'll have to see if we can still share the files and printer with 2 firewalls. Hope you understand my point, and thanks for helping.
Mark:)

[Budfred]

I don't know about McAfee's firewall. I use Net Defense and ZoneAlarm on my computers. Net Defense asked when the network was set up whether to allow access and has been fine since then. ZA put up a wizard and set up access, again no problem since. I haven't had to enter an IP address in either, they came up with them on their own.

I don't trust McAfee very much, they messed up my system too many times. You might want to check and make sure it even screens programs that want access from your system to the net, if it is only protecting from attackers on the web, you have a major vulnerability.

As for ZA... The firewall is decent, but woe on those who seek support from ZA. They are rude and less than helpful.

[Mark Miller]

Thanks Bud,
After looking at it again I see that it works just as you described asked permission and away we went. Yes it does check programs and even certain certain scripts.
I'll have a better take on this whole thing tonite, so if there any more questions or problems i'll post back.
Mark:)

[Steve]

Yep. Some firewalls require you to specify the other computers on the network and some set up permissions automaticlly. The firewall on the desktop probably wont protect the laptop. As a matter of fact, you should be able to use the laptop without the desktop even being on. That's how it works with a hardwired router and network. I would think it's the same with wireless. I would suggest using the same brand firewall on both computers just for ease of use and configuration.

[Mark Miller]

Thanks Steve,
Thats my next question, do I have to keep my desktop on or is standby okay? What happens when the screen saver goes on? I can keep the modem on with the computer off if that helps. By the way it is a wireless network. I am using a Belkin 54g wireless router.
Mark:)

[Steve]

The modem and the router should be plugged in and turned on independent of the computers. Each computer will access the router independent of the other computer. That way what's going on (or not going on) on one computer has no effect on the other.

[Mark Miller]

Hey Steve,
You are 100% correct. I got everything up and running in less than 15 minutes. Just need to leave modem and router on and everything works great. Put the software firewalls on both, no problem. I gotta say that the belkin 54g router makes the whole deal painless. No setting connections or anything. I think Having 2 Xp machines helped.
Also was able to hook aol [bring your own connection] for my wife up and we can both surf either connection with no lose of speed.
After reading some of the horror stories I feel very lucky.
What a relief!!!
Mark:D :D :D

[Steve]

Glad to hear it Mark! :)

I looked at some reviews of the Belkin router and it looks like a good one. Having XP on both computers really helps. XP does the work for you. After reading about all the problems, we tend to forget that most installations go pretty smooth.