Number 299 - April 2008

Firewalls
Dale Atchison, DaLe@ComputerRepairShop.biz Editor, Bits & Bytes, Tampa Bay Computer Society, Clearwater, FL. http://www.tampa-bay.org/
Dale writes a monthly "Computer Quandaries" column for the Tampa Bay Computer Society's newsletter, Bit & Bytes. In it he answers questions from members of TBCS. The following is a Q & A from the latest issue:    Q I just got broadband thru AOL & Verizon. I am using Windows Firewall. My question: Is this ok, or do I still need an addition firewall like ZoneAlarm? Should I only use one, or both? What is your opinion on the best one out there to use?    Janet    A Janet,    The Windows Firewall, included in Windows XP Service Pack 2, is every bit as good as ZoneAlarm for stopping incoming threats, meaning it blocks hackers and 'bots' from getting access to your computer from the Internet.    ZoneAlarm goes a step further by not allowing your computer to send out to the Internet EXCEPT for those programs you give permission to: your Web browser, your email client,	AOL, your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, etc. - this stops spyware that gets loaded on your computer despite your best efforts, from reporting on your browsing and online spending habits. Some folks want this extra layer of protectiQn, others don't feel the need. I'm one of the latter - I've cleaned my computer, I'm running regualr anti-spyware scans, and I have WinPatrol running to stop any programs that try to load without my knowledge - I'm reasonably sure my computer isn't talking about me behind my back.    You only need one software firewall. If you're sure you have installed and updated good reliable anti-spyware software (LavaSoft Ad-Aware, Spybot Search & Destroy), so you know no unauthorized programs are going to the Internet and tattling on you, use Windows' built-in firewall and don't go thru the learning curve of using ZoneAlarm; there's enough new stuff to learn on computers nowadays - no need to go looking for more.    BTW , if you had a hardware firewall, you could get by with no software firewall at all, though I don't recommend it.    I have a hardware firewall in my wireless router, and I'm using Windows SP2 software firewall, as well.    Dale.
Number 299 - April 2008