Firewall or Anti-Virus program?

[mgsvr]

I used to use Kaspersky as my anti-virus and don't even use a Firewall at all. Since I already have a Netgear Router that has security such as WEP 128 bit, built in Firewall..etc.

Anyway, should I use a Firewall or Kaspersky AV program? I can only use one program since two running at the same time can hog my system. If i use a Firewal, will virus can still get inside my system?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Use both, there's no good excuse for not doing so. If you don't use an anti-virus program viruses can get in.

 

[Ktulu]

you can still get a virus with or without a firewall, you just have to be carefull about what you download and what links to click on.

 

[mgsvr]

Okay then, I think I'll only use Anti-Virus for now. Between Kaspersky and Antivir, which one do you guys prefer? When I use Kaspersky back then, I have to uninstall and clean the Registry everytime Kaspersky end the trial. Then I just reinstall the trial again to use for another 30 days. I know I'm cheap...I know

 

[JasonSix78]

I use AntiVir and I like it. It's done a great job at keeping my system clean. I have a NetGear router as well but I still use a software firewall (Kerio). Be sure to keep all your protection software up to date.

-Jason

 

[Raincity]

Outpost 3 is as good as it comes for a Windows based software firewall. It's not free. Outpost will set you back $40 a year. You should be payin for using KAV but thats another matter.

 

[mgsvr]

I don't think I'll ever pay for a Anti-Virus software...anyway, should I continue with Kaspersky or using Antivir now?

Is Antivir really good?

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: mgsvr
Okay then, I think I'll only use Anti-Virus for now. Between Kaspersky and Antivir, which one do you guys prefer? When I use Kaspersky back then, I have to uninstall and clean the Registry everytime Kaspersky end the trial. Then I just reinstall the trial again to use for another 30 days. I know I'm cheap...I know

What is your rationale for not using a firewall?

 

[nweaver]

lol, with your system, it "hogs" too much? LMOA

 

[mgsvr]

Originally posted by: nweaver
lol, with your system, it "hogs" too much? LMOA

Lol, not hog at all. I'm just mistype. It just that I don't like using both Firewall and Antivirus at the same time. Too much hassle.

What is your rationale for not using a firewall?

Should I use firewall?

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: mgsvr

Originally posted by: nweaver
lol, with your system, it "hogs" too much? LMOA

Lol, not hog at all. I'm just mistype. It just that I don't like using both Firewall and Antivirus at the same time. Too much hassle.

What is your rationale for not using a firewall?

Should I use firewall?

That is like asking if you should have a front door to your house.

 

[skace]

Most people who run firewalls spend 99% of their time simply allowing legit programs through.

The real answer is to decide what this machine is for. If this is a work machine, load it up. If it is a game machine, don't run a firewall or antivirus at all. Keep these 2 tasks seperate and your life will be much easier.

 

[BespinReactorShaft]

In the strange event I had to choose only one, it must be the firewall. Unlike viruses, worms can get in without my doing anything except by just being connected to the internet.

But really, do use both. With a rig like yours "resource hogging" should be an alien term. There will be a transition period when you have to customise antivirus settings and let the firewall learn about your legit apps, but it really is worth the hassle at the end of the day.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: skace
Most people who run firewalls spend 99% of their time simply allowing legit programs through.

The real answer is to decide what this machine is for. If this is a work machine, load it up. If it is a game machine, don't run a firewall or antivirus at all. Keep these 2 tasks seperate and your life will be much easier.

Bespin has it right, it's worth the hassle, even on a game machine. I don't think outbound filtering on the host machine is that effective, though. I also think that safe habits + Firewall would be better then A/V alone.

 

[sourceninja]

I have a hardware firewall. It works well. I have no need for a software firewall. My wife's machine runs antivir. If she gets a virus or trojen, then IDS will let me know when the firewall sees all sorts of weird traffic. And its not like she can infect any other pc on my network anyways, at least not until windows virus's come with linux payloads.

 

[imported_obsidian]

There's no reason to have a software firewall if you are behind a hardware one. Hell, the windows firewall would be enough on its own if you just keep your computer updated and don't use IE. Anyways, I use Kaspersky but I purchased it.

 

[BW86]

Kerio v215 + AntiVir = :heart:

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: sourceninja
I have a hardware firewall. It works well. I have no need for a software firewall. My wife's machine runs antivir. If she gets a virus or trojen, then IDS will let me know when the firewall sees all sorts of weird traffic. And its not like she can infect any other pc on my network anyways, at least not until windows virus's come with linux payloads.

That is assuming the virus/program traffic appears to be coming from the outside. If it appears as trusted your IDS or firewall won't be saying a word.

 

[nweaver]

what he is saying is he doesn't trust his wife's windows machine.

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: nweaver
what he is saying is he doesn't trust his wife's windows machine.

And what I'm saying is relying on that IDS or firewall to detect a virus, that could lend accessibility to a nix machine in his network is operating under a false sense of security.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: mgsvr
I used to use Kaspersky as my anti-virus and don't even use a Firewall at all. Since I already have a Netgear Router that has security such as WEP 128 bit, built in Firewall..etc.

Anyway, should I use a Firewall or Kaspersky AV program? I can only use one program since two running at the same time can hog my system. If i use a Firewal, will virus can still get inside my system?

WEP has nothing to do with Internet protection.

Router's firewall protects you against less then 20% of what plagues home user.

Why? Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

You need:

1. Router's NAT Firewall

2. Software Firewall

3. AntiVirus

4. AntiSpyware.

If you have a computer that have 386MB of RAM and runs over 1.5GHz you do not have to worry about resources that a good protection suit takes.

Link to: Freeware Security suit for Internet Connection Protection.

:sun:

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: mgsvr
I used to use Kaspersky as my anti-virus and don't even use a Firewall at all. Since I already have a Netgear Router that has security such as WEP 128 bit, built in Firewall..etc.

Anyway, should I use a Firewall or Kaspersky AV program? I can only use one program since two running at the same time can hog my system. If i use a Firewal, will virus can still get inside my system?

WEP has nothing to do with Internet protection.

Router's firewall protects you against less then 20% of what plagues home user.

Why? Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

You need:

1. Router's NAT Firewall

2. Software Firewall

3. AntiVirus

4. AntiSpyware.

If you have a computer that have 386MB of RAM and runs over 1.5GHz you do not have to worry about resources that a good protection suit takes.

Link to: Freeware Security suit for Internet Connection Protection.

:sun:

Jacks right on the money in my opinion. I use KAV 5 with the extended defs for virus, trogan and spyware detection. I use Outpost 3 for firewall spyware and IE active content control and Ewido 3.5 as a secondary scanner for trogans and spyware.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: nweaver
Bespin has it right, it's worth the hassle, even on a game machine. I don't think outbound filtering on the host machine is that effective, though. I also think that safe habits + Firewall would be better then A/V alone.

Pfft. Security is overhead, always was and always will be. You add the overhead where you need it and not where you don't. You centralize and secure the data that you don't want to get out and you lock it down. The machine you use for every day stuff should have absolutely nothing on it and should be able to crash tomorrow without any problems.

Because even with a virus scanner and a software firewall, your machine can still be vulnerable, it is vulnerable to every application you trust on there. So unless he doesn't have 2 machines (which does not seem to be the case due to netgear router), I see no reason why you wouldn't be using this configuration.

 

[mgsvr]

Hello again guys. Right now I'm using AntiVir as Anti Virus program. I also use Adaware + Spybot S&D + Spyblaster on my FIrefox. Well this machine of mine is like a mix of Game and Personal since I play games all the time, and sometime just buy stuff online etc. For a whole year already I haven't use software Firewall at all, and haven't got problems yet.

So between Sygate + Keiro, which is a better Free Firewall in your mind? Thanks

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: mgsvr
Hello again guys. Right now I'm using AntiVir as Anti Virus program. I also use Adaware + Spybot S&D + Spyblaster on my FIrefox. Well this machine of mine is like a mix of Game and Personal since I play games all the time, and sometime just buy stuff online etc. For a whole year already I haven't use software Firewall at all, and haven't got problems yet.

So between Sygate + Keiro, which is a better Free Firewall in your mind? Thanks

Neither Sygate has been bought out by Symantec and has been discontinued. Kerio has just stopped support for Ver 4 and will not be offering anymore free versions. Zone Alarm is still free for the moment.