Do i need a software firewall

stumpy6

stumpy6

stumpy6

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13 Jan 2006
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I have just been with virgin now for years and have just been upgraded to 50meg. They have just installed it and left me another router a new D-link DIR-615 i already had a Netgear WNR2000 v2.
Both have a built in NAT firewall.
My question do is as title do i need a software firewall. I use at the moment Norton Internet Security.
Also out of the two which is the better of the two routers.. As the other will find its way to ebay lol
Thanks
 
The software firewall lets you control outbound communications, whilst NAT is inbound only. Controlling outbound is useful for stopping malware / viruses stealing your bandwidth or sending information back home. The built in windows firewall is fine, dump the Norton bloatware.

It's also useful to have a software firewall if you take your PC to LAN parties or other untrusted networks like connecting your laptop to a public WiFi Access Point.
 
Hardware firewalls cannot do application control, hence the need for a software firewall on the pc, although windows firewall is enough if you want any real details you're better using a third party one. Norton is fine, although comodo's probably the best free firewall around.
 
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