can i firewall this?

[yoloksky]

hello,

i've set up 5 computers networked connected via switch/rj45, a host computer runs on XP/win98 with ICS enabled with za firewall configured correctly. DHCP disabled and networked computers run on static IP's. On client computers, the internet is working fine on computers running 98 and xp. Host computer also works on internet.

Now my question, do i still need to add za firewall on client computer? For the sake of monitoring client computer's software activity?

wbr,

[rspassey]

Yes, you still need a firewall on each computer. Not only is this going to enhance each system's security, it will also all each user to modify which programs are permitted to access the internet and which aren't. This is very valuable when one user might have 30 more apps than another, but not desire that any of their apps connect to a website.

If you aren't using the "host computer" for anything besides sharing internet access, there are other more potent firewall applications operating systems (Smoothwall, IPCop, etc) which would do a better job and have stricter configuration parameters (for more safety).

[yoloksky]

thanks rspassey, the client computers are use only for browsing/typing only. I'll follow your advice for added safety. I was thinking that the firewalled host is protecting packets directed towards client computers, and adding firewall into client computer would be overkill.

i'll also check other firewalls you mentioned,

wbr,