Why do so many people use software firewalls?

[~kev~]

Twitchin Kitten - Run the firewall and security test from these sites

http://www.auditmypc.com/

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

http://www.speedguide.net/scan.php

http://www.securitymetrics.com/portscan.adp

That will give you an idea of how safe your computer is. Most of those test hit the hardware firewall. So if you run it before and after you remove macafee the results should be the same.

[Twitchin Kitten]

The first two links did nothing for me, but the last two gave me the same results with McAfee on and off.

Thanks a ton!

[faviouz]

Uhh, thanks for the links ~kev~. I wasn't looking for some firewall test.. there are other interesting categories. These will definetily help my ultimate free resources thread. ^^

Regards.

[~kev~]

(02-04-2009 12:56 PM)Twitchin Kitten Wrote:  The first two links did nothing for me, but the last two gave me the same results with McAfee on and off.

Thanks a ton!

Of course the test results were the same. Because the probe was hitting the Belkin router instead of your computer.

Lets say that someone is probing your IP address.

With a good hardware firewall they never touch your computer, or any other system on the network.

If your plugged straight into the cable or DSL modem and your using a software firewall - and someone probes your IP address, they are connected to your computer. The software firewall just blocks "certain" access. But regardless if you have a software firewall or not, if someone probes your IP, they are still hitting your computer.

Having a hardware firewall puts a block between your network and the internet. It acts kinda like a buffer.

[dolemelange]

Hey thanks for the links and information, its good to know the difference in firewalls, I for one did not know exactly the difference I am pleased to report my computer passed the scans with flying colors.

[Rick]

I have never, ever, ever had problems with viruses or hackers attempting to gain access into my home network. I use Eset's Smart Security suite and it has been perfect at protection, while at the same time running on little resources in the background.
Hardware firewalls cost a lot more, and are difficult to setup for the average home user.

[~kev~]

(02-15-2009 08:46 PM)Ricardo-san Wrote:  Hardware firewalls cost a lot more, and are difficult to setup for the average home user.

A linksys router from wal-mart cost around $50 or $60. That is about the same price as nortons internet security suite.

What is there to set up on a home router? Unless you use dsl and need to setup your username and password, there is nothing to configure.

[stefanov]

I have only one firewall that i am almost not even using since when gaming its realy hard to join on-line games with firewall since it block most of ports and you can **** urself

[.mike]

Would a Netgear router count as a hardware firewall? I mean, it's just a router, but it has pretty standard protection to ward off unwanted things happening to your machine, your network, or something along those lines. In addition to this, I try my best to protecting my home network by placing a password on the whole thing to prevent other naughty neighbors from stealing a connection.

[manish07]

Because it safed our computer from bad viruses and safe our data with these firewalls.