Is Firewall Necessary While Using Antivirus?   

Hi,

I'm running Vista Home Premium with SP-1. I just deleted Norton 360 with 
Norton's tool, and installed Avast antivirus. Now, I keep getting 
on-screen notices that Windows Firewall is turned off, = a security risk.

I know that the 2 programs have differing functions. Having an antivirus 
program on,and Super AntiSpyware too,  do I also need Windows Firewall 
turned on?

Thanks.

Morton

date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:50:30 -0400   author:   Morton

Re: Is Firewall Necessary While Using Antivirus?   

Morton wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> I'm running Vista Home Premium with SP-1. I just deleted Norton 360 with
> Norton's tool, and installed Avast antivirus. Now, I keep getting
> on-screen notices that Windows Firewall is turned off, = a security risk.
> 
> I know that the 2 programs have differing functions. Having an antivirus
> program on,and Super AntiSpyware too,  do I also need Windows Firewall
> turned on?

Yes. Norton apparently left it turned off. Go to Control Panel and turn it
on again.

Malke
-- 
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:16:50 -0700   author:   Malke lid

Re: Is Firewall Necessary While Using Antivirus?   

Morton wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I'm running Vista Home Premium with SP-1. I just deleted Norton 360 with 
> Norton's tool, and installed Avast antivirus. Now, I keep getting 
> on-screen notices that Windows Firewall is turned off, = a security risk.
> 
> I know that the 2 programs have differing functions. Having an antivirus 
> program on,and Super AntiSpyware too,  do I also need Windows Firewall 
> turned on?
> 

	Most definitely.  (Unless you elect to install a 3rd party firewall, 
that is.)

     There are several essential components to computer security:  a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.




-- 

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary 
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has 
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:10:23 -0600   author:   Bruce Chambers bchambers@cable0ne.n3t

Re: Is Firewall Necessary While Using Antivirus?   

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:50:30 -0400, Morton  wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> I'm running Vista Home Premium with SP-1. I just deleted Norton 360 with 
> Norton's tool, and installed Avast antivirus. Now, I keep getting 
> on-screen notices that Windows Firewall is turned off, = a security risk.
> 
> I know that the 2 programs have differing functions. Having an antivirus 
> program on,and Super AntiSpyware too,  do I also need Windows Firewall 
> turned on?


Yes, you need Windows Firewall or some other firewall. An antivirus
and an antispyware program is *not* sufficient protection.

-- 
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:31:05 -0700   author:   Ken Blake, MVP in

Re: Is Firewall Necessary While Using Antivirus?   

Morton wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I'm running Vista Home Premium with SP-1. I just deleted Norton 360 with 
> Norton's tool, and installed Avast antivirus. Now, I keep getting 
> on-screen notices that Windows Firewall is turned off, = a security risk.
> 
> I know that the 2 programs have differing functions. Having an antivirus 
> program on,and Super AntiSpyware too,  do I also need Windows Firewall 
> turned on?
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Morton

None of the applications you mentioned provide the functions of a 
firewall. Turn on the Windows firewall. The newest one with Vista ain't 
half bad. If you practice "Safe Computing", you're basically OK.

Then start looking at some free 3rd party firewalls..........

-- 

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services

date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:52:31 -0400   author:   Hank Arnold (MVP)

Re: Is Firewall Necessary While Using Antivirus?   

Hank Arnold (MVP) wrote:
> Morton wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'm running Vista Home Premium with SP-1. I just deleted Norton 360 
>> with Norton's tool, and installed Avast antivirus. Now, I keep getting 
>> on-screen notices that Windows Firewall is turned off, = a security risk.
>>
>> I know that the 2 programs have differing functions. Having an 
>> antivirus program on,and Super AntiSpyware too,  do I also need 
>> Windows Firewall turned on?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Morton
> 
> None of the applications you mentioned provide the functions of a 
> firewall. Turn on the Windows firewall. The newest one with Vista ain't 
> half bad. If you practice "Safe Computing", you're basically OK.
> 
> Then start looking at some free 3rd party firewalls..........
> 

Thanks to all for the great advice. I do appreciate it.

Morton

date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:33:40 -0400   author:   Morton