Software v Hardware Firewall

Do I need a software firewall such as ZoneAlarm if I'm operating through a router?

 

Depends on the router.

 

Linksys wired cable/DSL router

 

In my opinion, you do not need both. There is already a discussion about this. Have you looked around yet?

 

Whether or not you need one depends on whether you would prefer to be more secure, or also on whether you do anything that could expose you to potential malware (which firewalls could help you block).

Software firewalls basically control what applications exchange data with the internet, manage ports, and attempt to make a computer more secure from hacker attacks. Hardware firewalls also manage ports, and also try to make the computer more secure against hackers. Harware firewalls are significantly harder for a hacker to bypass than software firewalls (assuming they are properly configured), and generally are integrated into routers to help perform other functions like to portect small computer networks. Software firewalls have some functionality which hardware firewalls lack, but if you already have a hardware firewall, whether or not you 'need' one is debateable.

 

It's a question of need, really. Like Omneus said, a hardware firewall is yet another layer between you and the internet. It's almost always a good thing. Hardware firewalls are good because they mask how many computers are behind them, and what their local IP addresses are. The operating system of the firewall is usually very secure, as well as being very hard to interface to from externally if you have it set up correctly, which really adds to it being secure.

A software firewall has access to all the programs on your computer, so it can block things from sending that a hardware firewall has no clue about. A hardware firewall passes everything from inside out, and only certain things from the outside in. A software firewall makes makes sure that programs that are supposed to send data can do so, and will prevent programs you don't authorize to send data from doing so. It's nice for spyware type apps, unexpected installs trying to "call home", things like that. So both have their very valid uses. I typically suggest both to most users. You should always look to the firewall on your computer first if you are having network issues though, especially with newly installed programs.

Hope that helped a bit, added to what Omneus had to say.

 

You don't need ZoneAlarm. The Windows XP firewall is enough in my opinion.

 

Do you only need one lock on your door?

As stated earlier and based on my own experience and research, Windows XP firewall along with a hardware router, is sufficient. If however you are concern about your personal information being leaked by the introduction of malware or Trojan Horses, then consider getting something like ZoneAlarm.

 

If you have safe browsing habits, the Windows xp sp2 firewall is enough; it's inbound protection is fine. The only thing the other firewalls will do better, is if you get malware on your comp, they stop it from phoning home. But you'll also get more slowdown, and more warning popups.. your choice.

 

XP firewall here