Sorry to reveal my ignorance so blatantly, but what is "properly forwarded file sharing ports past your firewalls" and how (in simple terms for a dolt=me) do I know or do it?
Also, what is the actual fundamental difference between a hardware and software firewall? Is it simply a matter of the former one being etched on a rom in the router while the latter being on the disk, or is there some qualitative difference otherwise? Are there other differences in hardware firewalls between devices or brands? My router is Linksys WRT150N. Are there conflicts between coexisting hardware and software firewalls? You should know Linksys support, when I called them complaining I couldn't transfer files between my laptop and desktop while the internet worked fine, told me to shut off the 2 software firewalls with which it worked fine. They said the software firewalls are not needed unless I take the laptop elsewhere. What confuses me it whether the laptop, while connected to the desktop via the wifi router, is protected from external wifi trying to connect to the laptop's access point and thereby getting into the laptop's file system set to share with the WPA encrypted network or what? I don't understand the "uses no resources" since I see quite a nice footprint for both the zonealarmfree and the pctoolsprofree firewalls when they run. On my Linksys, to allow my voip phone modem to run behind the router, they had me disable DMZ. I sure wish I knew more about that too! As you advise, I have firewall software in the ready for any travel with the laptop. I wish I were more clear on these points. Thanks Tony for the good words!! -----Original Message----- From: Tony B [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 10:50 PM To: RLeeSimon Subject: Re: firewall ...hard or what? Maybe not, assuming you never travel. But it uses no resources, so why not? OH WAIT. I didn't see you use the words "file sharing" earlier. Next to falling for phishing scams, this is the most dangerous activity you can do these days. The question is: Have you properly forwarded file sharing ports past your firewalls? This has to be done from the router on down. Simply turning off all your firewalls is not an option IMHO if you're file sharing. On Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 7:01 PM, RLeeSimon <[email protected]> wrote: > Question is do I even need that? I suspect the desktop being behind > the router but wired is protected and the wifi to my laptop is behind > the router and also protected ...waddoIneed a software firewall for, > then? I am not trying to be facetious... > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tony B [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 4:34 PM > Subject: Re: firewall ...hard or what? > > > The built-in Windows firewall suffices for 95% of users. Just turn > _it_ on. > > > On Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 3:38 PM, RLeeSimon <[email protected]> wrote: >> I have a new Linksys Router with, of course, their built in firewall. >> BEHIND it is my desktop computer. Also, I use my laptop to it >> wirelessly. WPA encryption is enabled. Do I need a software firewall >> at all ? I have PCToolsPro on my desktop computer which causes some >> misery. I have ZoneAlarm on my laptop which causes some more misery. >> My internet connection sharing worked ok but my network would not do >> fileshare or much else with all that going. With it shut off, bingo, >> everything works! Am I ok this way or what? If not, why? TIA!! > > ************************************************************************* ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *************************************************************************
