Is the W7 default firewall enough?

Hi, I am really tired of the firewalls. I have been using them for years. Zone Alarm, NOD32, PC Tools...

And I was wondering if the default firewall of W7 would be enough. I dont even know what firewalls are really for very well. I just did it because people tell you to have one.

So I was thinking that maybe the last Firewall in W7 had improved and was now considered good enough, just like everything in W7 has become much much better.

I get really tired of the firewalls, it's a irritating, and since Windows firewall doesnt ask you too much I would prefer to use it.

I also have Microsoft Security Essentials as antivirus, from which I read it is fantastic. I never seem to have an undetected virus. It catches the few that want to enter via web. I run other online ones from time to time and I am always clean.

I would appreciate your comments.

Thank you.

Hi, kmint.

Personally, I have been very happy with the combination of the Windows 7 Firewall and MSE. I am also behind a router.

Considering your "history" of apparent safe surfing, I think you will be happy with the Windows 7 Firewall also.

Corrine said:

Hi, kmint.

Personally, I have been very happy with the combination of the Windows 7 Firewall and MSE. I am also behind a router.

Considering your "history" of apparent safe surfing, I think you will be happy with the Windows 7 Firewall also.

I concur. Unless you are installing piles of illegal software and visiting the worst websites imaginable then the standard Windows Firewall will be all that you need.

kmint said:

Hi, I am really tired of the firewalls. I have been using them for years. Zone Alarm, NOD32, PC Tools...

And I was wondering if the default firewall of W7 would be enough. I dont even know what firewalls are really for very well. I just did it because people tell you to have one.

So I was thinking that maybe the last Firewall in W7 had improved and was now considered good enough, just like everything in W7 has become much much better.

I get really tired of the firewalls, it's a irritating, and since Windows firewall doesnt ask you too much I would prefer to use it.

I also have Microsoft Security Essentials as antivirus, from which I read it is fantastic. I never seem to have an undetected virus. It catches the few that want to enter via web. I run other online ones from time to time and I am always clean.

I would appreciate your comments.

Thank you.

kmint,

If you surf safely the Win 7 firewall should be adequate.
Should your modem / router have a firewall - even better.

Jan.

Thank you very much for your replies.

But what is the difference then between the firewall and the antivirus? And why do people (including myself) bother then with those annoying firewalls that ask you all the time if you trust every connection that you don't even know if it good or bad?

Has the Windows firewall got better then and is it more acknowledged by the experts?

Thanks.

kmint said:

Thank you very much for your replies.

But what is the difference then between the firewall and the antivirus? And why do people (including myself) bother then with those annoying firewalls that ask you all the time if you trust every connection that you don't even know if it good or bad?

Has the Windows firewall got better then and is it more acknowledged by the experts?

Thanks.

Hi, kmint.

Great questions!

The difference between a firewall and an antivirus is that an antivirus is primarily a scanning utility. Yes, a lot of them have real-time protection capabilities, but it is not always their soul purpose. A firewall is designed to filter traffic, whereas an antivirus is there to intercept malicious files. Firewalls intercept connections and packets, rather than files (though nowadays, they'll intercept most malicious files as well).

You mentioned the hassle of dealing with the firewalls that point out every non-secure connection. I agree, they are often annoying. The good news is, you can customize your security levels to suit your likings. I believe you're referring to Comodo here.

To address your final question, the Windows Firewall has improved, though it still isn't considered to be as effective as the industry leaders (Comodo, Outpost, etc). As mentioned above, it all depends on what you do whilst online, and what you're likely to encounter.

If you're doing nothing more than browsing through web pages, then your security configuration should be kept to a minimum. If you're someone who blows fifty gigabytes on music and videos every month, then you may like to consider upping your security.

Thanks,
Harvey Meale

I have used Windows 7 built in firewall from the OEM install. My Intel dealer who builds system for government, business, and personal has the Windows 7 firewall on. He has no bad reports from any of his customers and they use the built in firewall. Microsoft Security Essentials has been reported by many on this site and sites like this one as being very good. If you Google (MSE reviews) you can read and make your decision.

Thank you very much again. Very informative.

Your welcome kmint. Let us know what you decide to use.