Dumb Router question..

[Nick]

That is, the question is dumb... not the router..

I think I know the answer to this anyways, but its bugging me and I'm not certain so I'm gonna ask it...

My router, which I'm about to install has NAT and SPI firewalls, (whatever that means), so does this mean I can turn off and uninstall Norton Firewall?

Also, I should keep my antivirus software shouldn't I?

Sorry for asking dumb questions, but I'm an insecure little bunny who needs reassurance before I get it badly wrong and spend two days re-installing everything....

[mike_w]

I'd say that you'd definately want to keep your antivirus software, since the router won't block you from accidently downloading files which contain a virus e.g. from an e-mail.

As for the software firewall, some people say that there's no point (and they're probably right), but I keep mine on since it doesn't really slow my PC down, and just for peace of mind.

[Steve]

As for the software firewall, some people say that there's no point.

I'm one of those people. From my experience software firewalls are a nag, paranoid to give you the impression that they're actually doing something, and cause no end of network problems. Furthermore there have been various hacks and bypasses devised for many of the "top" software firewalls.

Others will argue the case for using them. I say just stick with antivirus - and don't be stupid with e-mail attachments, and don't use IE, and don't use OE...

[Moby-Dick]

^^ 'what he said

NAT = network address translation
SPI = statefull packet inspection btw

[wol]

Unless you dont want anything getting out of your system ie virii or software then a firewall on each machine is useful

Wol

[domwg]

Although my router has a firewall, I keep a software firewall running anyway. There's always a possibility that should you get a virus that attempts to connect to the internet for example, the software firewall will pick it up but the router firewall wouldn't. The only real use in my case for a software firewall is program control.

Hope this helps!