Re: [PCTECH] Need firewall protection,

[Tom Liotta <qsrvbas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

but wrote:

> Routers and software firewalls are totally different animals ... a 
> software firewall's job is to stop external systems from being able to 
> access your PC.  This is very important to have whenever you are dialed 
> up to the internet or if you have your PC directly connected to your 
> broadband connection.

As mentioned in another post, it is also often useful as a layer of 
protection from other devices on the same side of the hardware firewall.

I should clarify that my earlier comment shouldn't have been 
specifically about any software firewall. As long as the routes are 
protected, either by software in the PC or by a hardware firewall at a 
reasonable point along the cable (or wireless or...), then you can start 
connecting for Windows updates or whatever in order to complete the setup.

Things might not be perfect, but you gotta start somewhere. ZoneAlarm 
and AVG have been a good combination for me. Since I'm familiar with 
them -- I know the interfaces, the options, the logs -- they make a good 
starting place for me.

If I use a hardware firewall that I'm not familiar/comfortable with, 
I'll still keep ZoneAlarm active at least until after I know more about 
what's going on with it.

Tom Liotta