Linksys Router + Software Firewall

[jadkins555]

I am curious, how important is it to have a software firewall installed when I already have a hardware firewall active via a Linksys Router?

[Steven]

Its important if you want protection from the pc's on your LAN Side. Your Router will protect you from all threads on the outside (WAN Side). If you have only 1 computer then a software firewall is not necessary. The choice is completely up to you.

I use the Windows XP FIrewall with my router and thats just enough protection for me.

[clonk]

Another reason for having a software firewall would be to restrict programs from accessing the internet from your PC. For example, if you got a trojan or some app was trying to 'phone home' the firewall would block this traffic.

[Adrian]

I've got firewall software firewall as well as a WRT54G. The reason i've got the software firewall is so I can monitor out-going connections, so if I got a trojan or anything I would know.

[Hippy]

While it's good to have a secure system, a software firewall on your system won't be any use in terms of incoming access attempts.

Anyone who can get past the hardware firewall will undoubtedly make short work of a software one.

xStainDx reasons are logical and worth considering.

Although you have a few systems on your LAN and you trust the users ability, or you have good anti-virus software on them, you could probably forgoe the software one.

I'm running, like yourself, a Linksys router here.

I have my main system running straight into it, plus a laptop and 3rd system on wireless. I use only the hardware firewall for my LAN without any issues arising.

The router config has a log section anyways, so you can see if if there's any attempts by one of your system to make unwanted exteral acess.

I think, simply, if it doesn't slow your connection by any noticable amount, then it wouldn't do any harm to have both running. :)