Re: modem . . now modem router

"Kenw" <kenw@no295no.net> wrote in message 
news:kvld24tmf3llcubbdm29eq792v7ei1helm@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 11 May 2008 21:03:18 +1000, Goomeri <g@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>
>>
>>The other day I was having a chat with a mate of mine (who knows more
>>about computers than I do) and told him about how my son's sunbelt
>>firewall gave a message of something expiring whatever it was.
>>
>>So I mentioned that now I'm having to find him a new and free
>>alternative. Now my lad has broadband, and so my mate told me that the
>>lad don't need a firewall as the modem is really a modem router and so
>>operates as a hardware firewall.
>>
>>Anyway then this morning I dropped in to see my boy, did first a look
at
>>grc.com with the firewall, and it all came up roses.
>>Then I uninstalled the firewall, went back to grc.com, and walla! got
>>the same result - all stealth etc etc.
>>
>>So is there then still a need to install a FW?
>>Are all you broadbanders out there using a software firewall when you
>>might not need to?
>>Or is my mate missing something?
>>
>>Cheers
> That is true to a certain point. A router will block incoming port scans
> looking for an open port. And some other stuff. However a software
> firewall will also monitor outgoing programs, that is why it's a pain in
> the beginning, new install, with all the questions,alerts, about if you
> want to allow a certain program to access the internet.
>
> After a software firewall is setup and everything is doing it's thing.
> One day you get an alert about a program wanting access to the net.
> You see the alert and say "I DON'T have anything like this program
> installed"
>
> Is it malware, trojan or whatever. Now if you don't know, you block it,
> and research the program to find out if it is good or bad.
>
> That is what a software firewall is really all about.
>
>
> KenW

That is the best description of the relationship between a firewall and 
router that I have ever heard.  I think I am going steal your words and make 
then my own.  ;-)

Jake 

On Sun, 11 May 2008 21:03:18 +1000, Goomeri <g@127.0.0.1> wrote:

>
>The other day I was having a chat with a mate of mine (who knows more 
>about computers than I do) and told him about how my son's sunbelt 
>firewall gave a message of something expiring whatever it was.
>
>So I mentioned that now I'm having to find him a new and free 
>alternative. Now my lad has broadband, and so my mate told me that the 
>lad don't need a firewall as the modem is really a modem router and so 
>operates as a hardware firewall.
>
>Anyway then this morning I dropped in to see my boy, did first a look at 
>grc.com with the firewall, and it all came up roses.
>Then I uninstalled the firewall, went back to grc.com, and walla! got 
>the same result - all stealth etc etc.
>
>So is there then still a need to install a FW?
>Are all you broadbanders out there using a software firewall when you 
>might not need to?
>Or is my mate missing something?
>
>Cheers
That is true to a certain point. A router will block incoming port scans
looking for an open port. And some other stuff. However a software
firewall will also monitor outgoing programs, that is why it's a pain in
the beginning, new install, with all the questions,alerts, about if you
want to allow a certain program to access the internet.

After a software firewall is setup and everything is doing it's thing.
One day you get an alert about a program wanting access to the net.
You see the alert and say "I DON'T have anything like this program
installed"

Is it malware, trojan or whatever. Now if you don't know, you block it,
and research the program to find out if it is good or bad.

That is what a software firewall is really all about.

Thank you, the old fart still comes up with something good. RARELY
>

"Goomeri" <g@127.0.0.1> wrote 

news:4826d278@APPSERV1.gamewoodapp.net...
 
> The other day I was having a chat with a mate of mine (who knows more 
> about computers than I do) and told him about how my son's sunbelt 
> firewall gave a message of something expiring whatever it was.
> So I mentioned that now I'm having to find him a new and free 
> alternative. Now my lad has broadband, and so my mate told me that the 
> lad don't need a firewall as the modem is really a modem router and so 
> operates as a hardware firewall.
> Anyway then this morning I dropped in to see my boy, did first a look at 
> grc.com with the firewall, and it all came up roses.
> Then I uninstalled the firewall, went back to grc.com, and walla! got 
> the same result - all stealth etc etc.
> So is there then still a need to install a FW?
> Are all you broadbanders out there using a software firewall when you 
> might not need to?
> Or is my mate missing something?
> Cheers

I use a sf as well .... and most *experts on the subject 
suggest it is better to have the backup.

The other day I was having a chat with a mate of mine (who knows more 
about computers than I do) and told him about how my son's sunbelt 
firewall gave a message of something expiring whatever it was.

So I mentioned that now I'm having to find him a new and free 
alternative. Now my lad has broadband, and so my mate told me that the 
lad don't need a firewall as the modem is really a modem router and so 
operates as a hardware firewall.

Anyway then this morning I dropped in to see my boy, did first a look at 
grc.com with the firewall, and it all came up roses.
Then I uninstalled the firewall, went back to grc.com, and walla! got 
the same result - all stealth etc etc.

So is there then still a need to install a FW?
Are all you broadbanders out there using a software firewall when you 
might not need to?
Or is my mate missing something?