Need a software firewall??

[Whyzman]

I was present today at a friends office while a Geek Squad tech made some adjustments on his office computer. He was having problems with Outlook Express. The tech quickly determined that Outlook needed to go on a diet...as it was pushing its 2 GIG limit. This was creating all sorts of problems with multiple sending of emails and other oddities.

As he cleaned things up in Outlook he then looked through Programs and found a number of obsolete and "questionable" apps. Zonealarm was one of the first to go. He said that many of the problems he encounters have to do with software firewalls and that since my friend had a router, that he was protected by its hardware firewall. The necessity for good AntiVirus software was pointed out as essential. The guy seemed to know his stuff...

Any comments on the software firewall would be appreciated.

Since I still use AOL and it handles emails, I've never had to venture into any email programs. Outlook Express apparently has some issues with its dbx files. Unlike Windows deleted files, dbx files, although deleted, do not really go away...in the sense that they can be overwritten...they continue to bloat.

Comments here would be appreciated also...

[classicsoftware]

I personally use a software firewall. It monitors outgoing as well as incoming traffic that Windows XP does not. Vista and 7 monitor incoming and outgoing. I especially like it because I can completely control access to the network. I can limit it to certain MAC addresses. You can really lock down a PC with a software file wall. It's just another layer. I especially like it because I can easily block malware once identified.

[PrntRhd]

I run a software firewall to monitor outgoing traffic, and adding a layer of security in case something goes awry in the router.

On the other hand, I also have had to deal with some customers who blamed my equipment when the problem was actually due to the customer's security suite software firewall blocking needed ports. Blocking scanning, printing, configuration of drivers....

So I love my firewall and I hate theirs.
:p

[risk_reversal]

Ditto as per above. Run a router [with NAT+FW] but also run a software FW too.

As has already been stated a layered approach.

Good Luck

[jlreich]

I run a dedicated Linux firewall machine that protects my entire network. Nothing can get in or out of my network without going through the firewall machine.

Yet all my systems still run a software firewall. ;)

I actually feel confident that my network is well protected by the dedicated hardware firewall, but as already noted the software firewall allows control over that machine and adds another layer of protection. And it can also alert you to an infection that an AV might miss because it will ask for permission when a program wants to access the net.