Wireless router?

Published on June 4, 2005 By Richard Mohler In Personal Computing

Never used one before and was just wondering about anti-virus stuff . Do you need it on other computer (notebook) also or just on the main computer?

Comments

jazzymjr

on Jun 04, 2005

I have a wireless network set up. I run anti-virus software on all three of the computers, as well as anti-spyware. My router has a firewall built into it, but I still use a software firewall too...Microsoft's. You need to have all computers on your network protected..the router only enables you share an internet connection...it does nothing to protect you from viruses and spyware.

Richard Mohler

on Jun 04, 2005

Thanks that answered alot of questions.

jazzymjr

on Jun 04, 2005

You're welcome!

Richard Mohler

on Jun 04, 2005

Also was wondering because I use cox high speed internet and they offer an anti-virus package kind of like aol, if you go ahead and use it do you still need a seperate one for each computer?

crissy14

on Jun 04, 2005

Richard Mohler
I agree with jazzymjr...better to have antivirus software on each computer in your network. Another thing to consider is firewall protection. Some routers have built-in firewalls, mine does (2 wire router), but I still use windows firewall on both computers. You might want to check on that also.

cal0140

on Jun 04, 2005

Richard,
It sounds like you're thinking that the other computers are somehow "behind/below" your "main" computer in some sort of heirarchy. If you use a router to split your broadband connection, each computer is going to access the internet separately from each other computer, thus you need to individually protect each machine. It's a good idea to use a firewall, antivirus software, and antispyware software on each machine... my personal array of tools are as follows...

Firewall: Zonealarm (excellent free firewall)
Antivirus: AVG Free Antivirus (great free antivirus program)
Antispyware: Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta (one of the best free antispyware tools, as it has an autoprotect feature that protects key system components from being infected, and known spyware programs from installing in the first place)

Hope this helps!

Richard Mohler

on Jun 05, 2005

Thanks everyone you helped alot..

Double Zero

on Jun 05, 2005

Hey there Richard,
I agree with Cal, especially with the list of programs..
Dont waste your time with the MS windows firewall, some people say it's better than nothing, but I might just disagree with that!..LoL

Use ZA on all your box's, it's free and it's proven to work pretty well.. it isnt perfect, but it's better than what you get with windows!

Microsoft Antispy though, *IS awesome!, go grab that if you dont have it yet, so far I would have to agree, it is one of the best..

Add protection to each PC on your network, if the box gets plugged into an ISP in any way..protect it...

crissy14

on Jun 05, 2005

Antivirus: AVG Free Antivirus (great free antivirus program)

I totally agree! AVG is first rate. Ive been using it for years, and its FREE.

Dont waste your time with the MS windows firewall

I would agree with this prior to SP2, But with SP2's release, a good (i think) firewall was born. It seems that it will block anything you don't want to allow thru. You can configure programs, ports, IP ranges etc. I've had good luck with so far.

jazzymjr

on Jun 05, 2005

I agree with Crissy regarding SP2's built in firewall. I use that in conjunction with my hardware firewall enabled on my router. For anti-spyware protection, I use AdAware, Spybot, and Microsoft's Antispyware software. I am still using McAfee Anti-Virus software But, when my subscription is up, I am switching to AVG....I use that on the computer at my retail store, and it is awesome!

Double Zero

on Jun 05, 2005

I would agree with this prior to SP2, But with SP2's release, a good (i think) firewall was born.

Since I have refused to install SP2 I dont have any experience to base an opinion upon. But I have to admit I have read other users opinions and they pretty much say the same... I'll have to rephrase that portion of my reply..

If your using SP1, either upgrade to SP2 or use a different firewall, other than what MS provides..

Better??...LoL

Richard Mohler

on Jun 05, 2005

Thanks again for all your input.

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