On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 03:21:16 GMT, "Starz_Kid"
wrote:

Hello Group, I've had this Linksys Firewall Router lying around for about a
year and decided to install due to an increase (??) in virus attacks on the
Adelphia network...

The model is: BEFSX41

I installed the router A.O.K. and it seemed to work...! Then I looked in
the package and found this CD-r with a copy of Nortons Internet Security /
with the Norton's Software Firewall.

It's a CD-R, not a regular stamped CD?
That seems a bit odd, are you sure nobody else made this
CD-R and threw it into the box?

Might be a trial version or something like that.



Well, I thought... if the Router has a hardware firewall... WHY would I need
a software firewall ? ? ?

Software firewalls tend to have more user configuration
possible than the typical consumer grade router. They also
make it possible to block outbound traffic more
discriminately. However, I don't know if that one does, and
in general Norton's stuff is overbloated and a resource hog-
I suggest you NOT install it, even if you didn't have the
hardware firewall.



So......... my question is does the Linksys router have a hardware
firewall. And why would they package a software firewall ????

yes that basic function is inherant in it being a router.
Which further controls in incoming or outgoing port
block/allow and other types of controls can vary per router
and firmware. Basically, you first need to define what you
want/need to do then see if the router allows for it.



Do I really need the Norton's Software as it crashed my computer after I
installed it... as a matter of fact, the install did not even complete..!

If you want a software firewall, avoid it, and the McAfee
stuff and seek alternatives with a Google search for "best
software firewall". You will still, first need to define
what capabilities you want/need out of one.

you wrote "virus attacks" but the typical virus is not going
to be guarded against by ANY firewall. The key to that is
to use applications that limit or disallow, don't support
virus exploitation. In other words, running safe code only.
Some software like IE or OE, will by default run unsafe code
so if insecure apps are necessary then they should be
configured and limited as much as possible.

In other words, the best hardware firewall, software
firewall, and antivirus program in the world is not likely
to keep you safe in high-risk situations, like if you ran a
default configuration of IE and visited a malicious website.