another dumb ques by me..

[handicapper2]

scenario is as follows...just built a comp and already have another one in my home(modem connected) i want to go with verizon dsl with a router( so both comps can be online @ the same time...i have xp pro on my new comp ...i read this morn'n where a router provides you some protection and so does xp pro..im asking, should i disable the firewall in xp pro and lets say, load norton, for exam, and use the router and norton as protection or is that not worth it...norton tho has so much b.s. on it and uses way to much memory for my liking..what do you guys/gals think the best corse of action should be ?...thanks, you guys are great...

[Panama Red]

Lotsa different ideas here. I'm sure you'll get a few. Here's how I run my stuff - 4 desktops and 2 laptops all on a home network (Comcast broadband) all running XP SP2, either Home or Pro.

The router has a hardware firewall that prevents getting IN, so I disable the XP firewall which offers the same protection. If you are concerned about OUTGOING firewall protection, download the free version of ZoneAlarm. I don't recommend any of the Norton System Works programs. Most are redundant to the native XP tools and therefore, unnecessary. My preference is a weekly maintenance of Disk Cleanup, Adaware, Spybot, Registry Healer and Defragmenter. My antivirus of choice is the free version of AVG from Grisoft.com. Others will have other ideas but this works for me.

[Miz]

For 3 years I've been running both XP Home and 98SE systems connected to DSL through a router.

I've run various firewalls on both systems and have not yet had anything get through the router to the software firewalls.

I've forwarded several ports through the router to the XP system and still nothing has gotten past the router to the computer except those programs the ports were opened to accomodate.

However, there are a few XP services that want to connect to the net most of the time. I use the software firewall to block those...probably only because I can ...and haven't had any connectivity problems because of it.

I have discovered ongoing problems with Sygate Personal Firewall (the free one) since I installed SP2, though. When it's running, the connection comes and goes. Turn Sygate off and everything's fine. Upgrading the firewall made no difference. The problem is being discussed all over the net with no solution yet offered...that I've found, anyway.

[fudtone]

I have not had any issues with my router's NAT. If you need a router anyway don't concern your self with a software firewall unless you apply it to a particular PC needing a DMZ.