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Re: Modem with NAT firewall, does it also need a software firewall?

Subject: Re: Modem with NAT firewall, does it also need a software firewall?
From: Leythos <void@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:31:56 -0400
Newsgroups: 24hoursupport.helpdesk

In article <4891D7B5.D8D3AB5F@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, 
Mikey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx says...
> Recently purchased a Zoom 5660 modem / router.  It has a
> Network Address Translation firewall and Stateful Packet
> Inspection.  The Windows XP computer it's installed on also
> has Zonealarm (free version) installed.  Is Zonealarm still
> neccesary with this modem or can it be uninstalled?

NAT does not make the device a firewall, NAT is a method of ROUTING and 
while it blocks, in this case, unsolicited inbound connections, it's IS 
NOT A FIREWALL.

As for a soft-firewall application. If you run as a local administrator 
in most cases a soft-firewall does no good - the malware can disable it 
or punch holes through it since you're running as a local admin.

In most cases, if you are reasonable, a NAT router and quality AV 
software with a good dose of common sense is all you need for HOME use.

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