Is it okay to have two firewalls running at the same time?

Question

It seems to me that I remember reading somewhere that it is best to NOT run a firewall program in a computer if that computer is connected to the internet through a router which has a firewall program running in it. According to the explanation provided, the two firewall programs can conflict with each other if run simultaneously.

However, recently when I was setting up and configuring a new computer, the computer asked me if I was connecting to the internet through a router. And, I replied "yes" that I would be using a router. And the computer setup program turned the firewall in the computer on anyway.

And so, I would like to know for certain, if I'm connecting to the internet through a router which has a firewall, should the firewall in the computer be on or off???

Answer 1

The firewall in the computer should be on.



Its your software firewall. Windows firewall is fine. You don't need to install one of the other types of firewalls like comodo unless you just love all the popups that will appear all the time. I have used Windows firewall since it first came out. The one time I tried another one, it was such a hassle. Windows just runs in the background. Never had a problem with the firewall or an intrusion.



Your router has a built in firewall too. this one is a hardware firewall. The two together give you all the protection you need.

Answer 2

Router firewall = hardware firewall

PC firewall = software firewall



A hardware firewall is not the same as a software firewall, one does not replace the other, you should run both.



Edit:



@GameDay - good answer, I agree, thumbs up.



Win 7

Windows Firewall Windows Firewall is substantially changed from the version in Windows XP. As in Windows Vista, it is a two-way firewall, monitoring outbound traffic as well as inbound, and it fully supports Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). In Windows 7, Windows Firewall adds multiple access firewall profiles, a feature that provides appropriate protection for each connected network when you’re connected to more than one at a time—an increasingly common situation. With an advanced configuration console for Windows Firewall, administrators have granular control over firewall rules and other settings.



http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ee851675.aspx



Windows Vista Two Way Firewall:



http://www.vistahunt.com/windows-vista-two-way-firewall.html

Answer 3

Provided your not running two software firewalls on the same pc which just causes issues, it will be fine to have it running as this will usually enable the setting of outbound rules [ monitor traffic requesting access to the internet and either accept or deny].Windows firewall whilst very basic at least provides a little more security than running without.

Many paid for software firewalls i.e. Zonealarm Pro include some form of antivirus and adware/trojan protection with them these days so its basically an added layer of protection for your system.

Answer 4

If you have a highspeed Internet connection such as DSL or cable and you have a router between your DSL/cable modem and your computer, most likely you already have a hardware-based firewall, and that's all you need. If your router has NAT (network address translation), or your modem has a built-in router with NAT, you have a hardware firewall which effectively makes your PC invisible to the attacking hordes. Only in the absence of a hardware firewall you absolutely need a software-based firewall. Otherwise, to obtain best performance and protection, the firewall in the computer must be turned off.

Have a happy new year!

Answer 5

Yea your best bet is to use both a software firewall along with a hardware firewall.

Most third party firewalls also watch what is added to your registry.Such as online Armour.The firewall provided with windows is a complete joke.It only blocks anything trying to send out.What you need is one that blocks the incoming.