Is software firewall needed with Linksys router?

[Tom Caldwell]

I just got a faster internet connection. Also I'm using a router now. Do I need to use a software firewall for security? Or does the Linksys router act as a firewall. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I think I have the forwarding set correctly to view my pages from the internet. The connection may even be fast enough for some graphics on the page. If someone wouldn't care to check it and let me know.
Thanks

Tom
Digihouse

[Hunter Green]

IMO, the LinkSys's built-in firewall does everything most software firewalls would do, better. The one exception is monitoring for adware, spyware, and other unauthorized outgoing traffic; if you think it's important that you watch for those, a software firewall might be better at it.

Nucleus Home Automation

[Stevech]

I've been running a web server via HomeSeer for about a year, with the PC behind a LinkSys router which blocks all but Port 80. No problems. Router never glitches.

[Rupp]

.. to notify me of things going out to or connecting to the internet that I didn't initiate. For example I relucktently (sp?) downloaded real audio the other day to listen to a ballgame and it constantly is attempting to access the internet. It even downloaded another peice of software that was connecting.

-Rupp

[Tom Caldwell]

Thanks everyone for the advice. This is new to me so it's greatly appreciated.

Tom
Digihouse

[DSteiNeuro]

I was browsing the Linksys site today and noticed that they are now bundling Zone Alarm Pro along with their routers

Linksys, Trend Micro and Zone Labs Announce A Complete Broadband Internet Security Solution For Home and Office Networks


<A HREF="http://www.zonelabs.com/pressroom/pressreleases/2001/linksys_tm_zl_release.html" TARGET=_blank>Trend Micro's PC-cillin antivirus software and Zone Lab's ZoneAlarm™ Pro Internet
security utility is now available for download for Linksys 1- and 4-Port Routers
</A>

My Configuration is here

[This message was edited by DSteiNeuro on Monday, 03 June 2002 at 11:45 PM.]

[epsteing]

Beware, the Linksys bundled version of ZoneAlarm only works for 30 days unless it's behind ONE of their routers. It has to be behind the same Linksys router at least once every 30 days.

[Jim Doolittle]

Ad-aware is free and scans for adware/spyware and removes it. This got rid of a lot of my problems.

First time I ran it, Kazaaa quit working (it is a "free" P2P program that installs adware/spyware even if you tell it now to) which is not a problem because I found Grokster and a web page that tells you how to install it with no adware/spyware.

If you pay $15 for Ad-aware, they give you Ad-watch that you either run continuously (small program) or right before you install new software.

Jim Doolittle

[DSteiNeuro]

The thirty day rule doesn't seem to be a problem unless you are using a laptop.

From Zone Alarm:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> If you are interested in protecting additional PCs on your broadband network, you should purchase a ZoneAlarm Pro license pack specifically designed for use with your Linksys router. The Linksys license pack provides constant behind-the-router protection; however, protection is terminated if the security enforced laptop PC is removed from behind the router for more than 30 consecutive days. ZoneAlarm Pro protection is reinitiated once your laptop PC is again docked behind your Linksys router.

If you plan on protecting a laptop PC that is typically away from your Linksys router for more than 30 days at a time, you should consider upgrading to a standard ZoneAlarm Pro license pack. Click here to purchase a standard ZoneAlarm Pro license pack - at a discount too!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ad Aware is worth running on a regular basis. Usually the "spyware" is harmless but it is nice to get rid of it.

My Configuration is here [

[jwilson56]

You can goto this site and get cleaned clients for Kazzaa and such.

http://www.cleanclients.tk/

This guy takes the 'spyware' out of them.



John

[Bryan Nystrom]

One thing I was never clear on with the LinkSys / Zone alarm setup was if you could have devices that don't have ZA on them behind the firewall. It sounded like if you enable this feature, all your machines behind the firewall also had to have ZA set up on them. What worried me is my Audrey and my Mac Laptop. No ZA for them, so would this setup still work.

My understanding was also that you needed to purchase something from ZA in order to have this work. DSteiNeuro, thanks for the additional information on this!

Bryan Nystrom
Natara Software, Inc.

[thymer]

I recommend that you spend the $40 for BlackIce and install on all your PC's. I have the same router and although it stopped 98% of the probes it did not stop them all and sometimes blackice catches somthing inbound that got past the router.

[CFGuy]

Check out a site that is dedicated to Internet security before going with black ice.

http://grc.com/lt/leaktest.htm

You can also test your firewall there.

When you setup the LinkSys Zone Alarm, you can enter a range of IPs that the LinkSys will allow to run without Zone Alarm.

And yes, you do have to purchase something from Zone Alarms. The LinkSys only works with Zone Alarm Pro which you have to purchase. There is special pricing based on how many computers you will install it on.

Jeff Farmer

[bwired]

Hi there

when i use a router browsing over the internet is great. But when i contact my own homepage its
much slower the without the router.

doe anybody has simular experience

grtx

Pieter

www.pietje.com