Help with using a router/firewall pls

[Robbo]

Hello all,

Can people pls tell me if Im ok to use my routers firewall alone or should I use zonealarm with it too ?

I use to use the alcatel usb (green stingray thing) but have just been sent the voyager 205 router for use on BT yahoo broadband. With the stingray I was using zonealarm but after reading a small amount (but not ever using a router before) Ive seen that it has NAT in the router - shouls I get rid of zonealarm and use just the NAT or should I keep ZA ?

Am I right in saying the builtin firewall/NAT is as good as ZA because it is a hardware firewall ?

Thx for any help ;)

[vincent]

You can use both But if you set your router up correctly, i dont think you will need to use ZA.

By the way, can you give the model number of your router?

[cpt.whistlepants]

If you you use the router only, you will have to set it up manually for certain apps. Especially games. You can open certain ports that are closed by default on the router and let zonealarm monitor those ports. Its really a personal preference based on your knowledge of setting up a router. If you dont feel comfortable doing that use a software firewall. I would suggest learning to use the router only. Here is an overview of the way a router with NAT works.

http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=177

[Toastyone]

I use both zonealarm and my router's firewall :yes:

[Dashel]

The router will protect you from external threats and the local software one will protect from other computers on your LAN. NAT has nothing to do with the firewall.

I personally don't care for software firewalls but that is just me. I don't run AV either though so there you go.

[Robbo]

  ripgut said:

You can use both But if you set your router up correctly, i dont think you will need to use ZA.

By the way, can you give the model number of your router?

585332521[/snapback]

Thx for the replies guys ;) At the mo I have limited knowledge of using a router having used a standard adsl modem before - Ive got to learn how to use this router fully.

@ripgut

The router is a BT voyager 205 (using the usb option)

*edit* I forgot to add that Im using a single pc on the router (so far and may add another at a much later date - but for the time being Im using a single pc)

Edited January 22, 2005 by Robbo