is windows firewall good enough?

[perkster]

I had zonealarm for a long while before it started cutting off my internet (think it was conflicting with my router firewall or something), which caused me to have to keep restarting my computer to see webpages. So i removed it and now rely on my router firewall and windows XP SP2's windows firewall, I have all the latest patches.

Question is, a lot of people used to say windows firewall was useless and therefore get zonealarm or other 3rd party firewall, but then more recently I see people stating that windows firewall is fine.

can it be relied upon? if i didnt have the hardware firewall would it still be reliable to have just that?

[liambl]

I've been running only AVG free and windows firewall for nearly two years and not a single problem. If you are wary of dodgy websites and programs you will be fine.

[Cricket]

can it be relied upon? if i didnt have the hardware firewall would it still be reliable to have just that?The combination of a router and the WinXP SP2 firewall will keep your computer secure against hackers. I'm using the WinXP SP2 firewall and a router and have been doing so for 4 years.

Other security software I use are AVG or Avira AntiVir for viruses. SpywareBlaster, AVG Anti-Spyware, Spyware Terminator and SuperAntiSpyware for malware. BlackLight and AVG Anti-Root Kit for root kit malware. My computers haven't been hit with anything nasty in years. But I know there is still a lot of nasty stuff out there because of the computers I have to clean up for friends and family members (who don't keep their definitions up to date).

:) Cricket

[perkster]

Yeah thanks cricket, i use AVG and spybot and all those too, andh avent had any problems, just dont want to be left door open, and I also go round and clean up other peoples machines with such programs and usually set them up with AVG and windows firewall unless they are on dialup or something with no router and then i give them zonealarm, just wanted to make sure i wasnt exposing my clients more than necessary.

[glc]

Windows firewall is fine with dialup - the hackers generally don't bother messing with dialup IP ranges considering how prevalent broadband is these days, and doing mischief through dialup takes forever.