Help?

[KPag]

Hi,

I have wiped my laptop. So need to download my firewall again. You had some good links to how to protect your laptop/pc here, but I can't find then again.

Could you point me in the right direction, so I can get my firewall up again ??

Thanks ever so much

Kpag

[Haider]

Hello KPag:

What do you mean by my firewall? Which Operating System you are using? You may want to have a look at http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-firewall.htm for firewall selection

Should you have any other question(s) please post back

[Coldheart]

By any chance do you get your internet connection through a router? If so, then there's really no need for a software firewall as the router acts as a sturdy hardware one. It'll save memory and CPU usage on your system, as well as being more efficient (potentially).

[Haider]

Hello Coldheart:

Just for your information, NOT ALL routers have in-built firewall; besides a combination of hardware and software based firewalls will increase the effectiveness of layered protection!

[Coldheart]

Haider, thanks for your post. While no, not all routers offer a built-in firewall, most if not all can be configured to only allow in/out traffic from certain ports. They are usually pre-configured to allow the common ones for internet services: 80, 21 etc, however they outright block any other ports that aren't managed by the user. This makes a far more robust deterrent to hackers (and quite often a nuisance to users); and while not impenetrable is better than a software firewall standing on its own.

Obviously a hardware and software firewall working together are a better security solution than one or the other, however I personally do not use a software firewall as I'm fairly confident in my router's firewall settings. But this is purely to save on system resources; while I'm not short on RAM or CPU power, I just don't want any software running that I deem superfluous.

It's a matter of choice, I suppose.