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| Thread ID: 33331 | 2003-05-13 21:25:00 | Advantages of using extra PC as Firewall????? | br0nwyn (3755) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 143864 | 2003-05-13 21:25:00 | It was suggested to me to buy a new PC and use the old as firewall.Does this mean i know longer need anti virus?What would i need to do to connect the two? | br0nwyn (3755) | ||
| 143865 | 2003-05-13 21:31:00 | > It was suggested to me to buy a new PC and use the > old as firewall.Does this mean i know longer need > anti virus?What would i need to do to connect the > two? Personally I don't think there are any real benefits having a seperate PC running as a firewall - unless perhaps if you're using a hardware firewall like those used in large corporations (quite unlikely that you'd be doing this). And no it does NOT mean that you don't need an antivirus - A firewall is not an antivirus program, it won't stop viruses like an antivirus will. Mike. |
Mike (15) | ||
| 143866 | 2003-05-13 21:39:00 | Certainly not a NEW PC! Perhaps if you've got an old 486 lying around... It all depends really.. |
Chilling_Silently (228) | ||
| 143867 | 2003-05-13 21:52:00 | > It all depends really.. On what? Mike. |
Mike (15) | ||
| 143868 | 2003-05-14 07:01:00 | Well the advantages are that you don't have to use a software based firewall on your main computer. Though you might be paranoid and want to use one anyway. If you've got a spare computer it would be worth IMO. Smoothwall (http://www.smoothwall.org) is the preference from what I hear. |
-=JM=- (16) | ||
| 143869 | 2003-05-14 07:46:00 | It depends on what you use your PC's for, If your runnning a Business using Smoothwall is probably the best option, on the other hand if its just for home use I would sell the older PC and use the money to purchase Zone Alarm Pro Zone labs (http://www.zonelabs.com) This is still the best PC based Firewall (which is all most home users need) and is very easy to setup and use. Let us know what you decided |
Marshell (3757) | ||
| 143870 | 2003-05-14 07:47:00 | I believe the old comparison was this: the difference between a host based (software firewall - NIS/NPF, blackice, kerio... whatever) and an external (hardware - cisco firewall etc, independant - pc used solely for firewall tasks such as a smoothwall box) is like the difference between locking your jewellry box and leaving your front door wide open, and locking your front gate and front door. The point is that host-based firewalls are far inferior to independant firewalls because they are flawed by design. Some other downpoints about software firewalls are that they take up system resources, they can be intrusive to your internet experience (popping up asking for rules creation etc), and they can mess up local networking (a real pain in the arse to get around) whereas with an independant/external firewall you get the security advantages as well as the solution being basically set and forget. Personally I'm running a Smoothwall box and on my main rig I have NIS2k2 Pro running, with its firewall feature disabled.. I'm only running it as an adblocker. I have a lot of experience with Smoothwall so if you do decide to go that route, I'm available to help you out with setup/config/troubleshooting In saying that however, if you only have one main computer in your house, then just use the one computer with a software firewall of your choice installed.. It's a little different in my flat where I've got a few servers and a network of computers to protect... |
whetu (237) | ||
| 143871 | 2003-05-14 08:12:00 | I have a 486 running Smoothwall which is a firewall/gateway. I use it because I have a network of pc's and the gateway (to the internet) pc runs the firewall software. If you wanted to use your "old" pc as a second machine/games pc, then you would probably use the grunter pc as the gateway and firewall (running Windows). | Dolby Digital (160) | ||
| 143872 | 2003-05-14 08:16:00 | >> and use the money to purchase Zone Alarm Pro Zone labs >> >> This is still the best PC based Firewall (which is all most home users >> need) and is very easy to setup and use . <KOFF> It's what??? Mike . |
Mike (15) | ||
| 143873 | 2003-05-14 08:19:00 | > The point is that host-based firewalls are far inferior to independant > firewalls because they are flawed by design . How so? Mike . |
Mike (15) | ||
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