Firewall or Anti-Virus?

Arif Mehal · External Since: Apr 12, 2004 Posts: 4

Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .

Jim · External Since: Jan 11, 2009 Posts: 72

On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 15:58:51 +0600, "Arif Mehal"
<arifmehal RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:

>Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .
>

Ummmm ...... you need both .

Arif Mehal · External Since: Apr 12, 2004 Posts: 4

"Jim" <bojimbo261.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:ft27a5dsrl8s91o172ggh0gg79r5788pli@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 15:58:51 +0600, "Arif Mehal"
> <arifmehal.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .
>>
>
> Ummmm ...... you need both .
> Ok, thanks a lot, Jim.

1PW · External Since: Aug 25, 2009 Posts: 24

Arif Mehal wrote:
> Which is better, a Firewall or an AntiVirus program? .

These are only a mere few individual and valuable constituent pieces
of your system's overall protection plan.

Is a good NAT router better than antispyware protection?

--
1PW

amehal · External Since: Sep 06, 2009 Posts: 1

On Sep 6, 4:16 pm, Jim <bojimbo... DeleteThis @aol.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 15:58:51 +0600, "Arif Mehal"
>
> <arifme... DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
> >Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .
>
> Ummmm ...... you need both .

>Ok, thanks. Can they be from different companies? Like Norton and AVG?

Ken Blake MVP · External Since: Feb 19, 2004 Posts: 7325

On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 15:58:51 +0600, "Arif Mehal"
<arifmehal RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote:

> Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .

That's like asking which is better, a steak dinner or a Cadillac car.
A firewall and an anti-virus program each do two different things and
should not be compared this way. You should have both.

I recommend using the Windows firewall and either NOD32 (if you are
willing to pay for it) or Avast (if you want freeware).

Also note that you have mentioned only two of the three kinds of
necessary security applications. The third type is anti-spyware, and
because none of these is near perfect, everybody should run at least
two of these (but not at the same time). I recommend MalwareBytes
Anti-Malware, and Super Anti-Spyware (both free).

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

Mike Hall - MVP · External Since: Jul 07, 2007 Posts: 34

"1PW" <1PW RemoveThis @INVALID.com> wrote in message
news:h80aa6$tm7$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> Arif Mehal wrote:
>> Which is better, a Firewall or an AntiVirus program? .
>
> These are only a mere few individual and valuable constituent pieces
> of your system's overall protection plan.
>
> Is a good NAT router better than antispyware protection?
>
> --
> 1PW

No..

--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

1PW · External Since: Aug 25, 2009 Posts: 24

Mike Hall - MVP wrote:
>
> "1PW" <1PW.RemoveThis@INVALID.com> wrote in message
> news:h80aa6$tm7$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>> Arif Mehal wrote:
>>> Which is better, a Firewall or an AntiVirus program? .
>>
>> These are only a mere few individual and valuable constituent pieces
>> of your system's overall protection plan.
>>
>> Is a good NAT router better than antispyware protection?
>>
>> --
>> 1PW
>
> No..

Correct. Apples vs oranges.

I was playing devil's advocate here Mike.

--
1PW

JimL · External Since: Aug 14, 2009 Posts: 13

"1PW" <1PW.RemoveThis@INVALID.com> wrote in message
news:h80iiv$omj$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> Mike Hall - MVP wrote:
>>
>> "1PW" <1PW.RemoveThis@INVALID.com> wrote in message
>> news:h80aa6$tm7$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> Arif Mehal wrote:
>>>> Which is better, a Firewall or an AntiVirus program? .
>>>
>>> These are only a mere few individual and valuable constituent pieces
>>> of your system's overall protection plan.
>>>
>>> Is a good NAT router better than antispyware protection?
>>>
>>> --
>>> 1PW
>>
>> No..
>
> Correct. Apples vs oranges.
>
> I was playing devil's advocate here Mike.
>
> --
> 1PW

It's kind of like asking, "Which is better a Ford or a sandbox?"

--
JimL

If some scientist doesn't think it makes sense, then it doesn't make sense;
ergo, nothing makes sense, because someone found fault with every theory
ever developed. Ecc 1:14

Bruce Hagen · External Since: Apr 17, 2004 Posts: 7779

"JimL" <invalid DeleteThis @invalid.inv> wrote in message
news:h80jc8$v8i$1@news.eternal-september.org...

>
> It's kind of like asking, "Which is better a Ford or a sandbox?"
>
> --
> JimL

That's easy. The sandbox.
--
~Bruce

Leythos · External Since: Jan 23, 2009 Posts: 61

In article <#sDinitLKHA.220@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl>, arifmehal RemoveThis @hotmail.com
says...
>
> Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .

A firewall and Anti-virus programs have nothing to do with each other,
they perform different functions and don't do the same thing.

A firewall is for blocking traffic.

Anti-Virus software is for blocking and removing malware.

--
You can't trust your best friends, your five senses, only the little
voice inside you that most civilians don't even hear -- Listen to that.
Trust yourself.
spam999free RemoveThis @rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

Mike Hall - MVP · External Since: Jul 07, 2007 Posts: 34

"Bruce Hagen" <Nospam.TakeThisOut@mymail.invalid> wrote in message
news:e7EFACxLKHA.5060@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> "JimL" <invalid.TakeThisOut@invalid.inv> wrote in message
> news:h80jc8$v8i$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>>
>> It's kind of like asking, "Which is better a Ford or a sandbox?"
>>
>> --
>> JimL
>
>
> That's easy. The sandbox.
> --
> ~Bruce

LOL..

--

Mike Hall - MVP Windows Experience
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

Jim · External Since: Jan 11, 2009 Posts: 72

On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 03:26:11 -0700 (PDT), "amehal@gmail.com"
<amehal DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:

>On Sep 6, 4:16 pm, Jim <bojimbo... DeleteThis @aol.com> wrote:
>> On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 15:58:51 +0600, "Arif Mehal"
>>
>> <arifme... DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .
>>
>> Ummmm ...... you need both .
>
>>Ok, thanks. Can they be from different companies? Like Norton and AVG?

Your computer - you choose ; whichever you like .

Ken Blake MVP · External Since: Feb 19, 2004 Posts: 7325

On Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:51:26 +0100, Jim <bojimbo261.DeleteThis@aol.com> wrote:

> On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 03:26:11 -0700 (PDT), "amehal@gmail.com"
> <amehal.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >On Sep 6, 4:16 pm, Jim <bojimbo....DeleteThis@aol.com> wrote:
> >> On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 15:58:51 +0600, "Arif Mehal"
> >>
> >> <arifme....DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >> >Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .
> >>
> >> Ummmm ...... you need both .
> >
> >>Ok, thanks. Can they be from different companies? Like Norton and AVG?
>
> Your computer - you choose ; whichever you like .

"Your computer - you choose whichever you like" is certainly an
appropriate answer when talking about programs like browsers, e-mail
clients, word processors, and so on. Differences between such programs
are primarily in features and user interface, and what features you
need and you like are far and away the most important factors.

But when it comes to security software, choosing by "whatever you
like" is the worst way to do it. The main factor in security software
is effectiveness in protecting you, and they are far from equal in
this regard.

And to answer Arif Mehal's question, yes, they can be from different
companies. I am almost always against choosing any kind of suite of
software, whether it's security software or any other kind. You should
choose the best and most affordable of each type--anti-virus program,
anti-spyware programs, firewall--regardless of who makes each. In my
earlier message in this thread I recommended which to get in each of
those areas.

When it comes to office suites, I recommend choosing what works best
for you, and that varies depending on your particular needs. Having
those programs come from different companies is just fine. As an
example of what I mean, I personally prefer Corel WordPerfect to
Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel to Corel Quattro Pro. Your
preferences may be the opposite of mine because your needs are
different, and that's just fine

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

Twayne · External Since: Jan 08, 2009 Posts: 185

"Arif Mehal" <arifmehal.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23sDinitLKHA.220@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl
> Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .

They are two different animals providing two different sets of functions
for you. You need both. You also need an arsenal of say 3 different
anti-spyware applications to take care of malware that AV doesn't look
for.
I'd suggest looking them up on Wikipedia.com if the differences
aren't obvious to you. Lots of people are in your boat, so don't feel
bad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti_virus
are good starting points with good links and references.

HTH,

Twayne`

Twayne · External Since: Jan 08, 2009 Posts: 185

"1PW" <1PW RemoveThis @INVALID.com> wrote in message
news:h80aa6$tm7$1@news.eternal-september.org
> Arif Mehal wrote:
>> Which is better, a Firewall or an AntiVirus program? .
>
> These are only a mere few individual and valuable constituent pieces
> of your system's overall protection plan.
>
> Is a good NAT router better than antispyware protection?

No, but it's a good adjunct.

HTH,

Twayne`

1PW · External Since: Aug 25, 2009 Posts: 24

Twayne wrote:
> "1PW" <1PW.RemoveThis@INVALID.com> wrote in message
> news:h80aa6$tm7$1@news.eternal-september.org
>> Arif Mehal wrote:
>>> Which is better, a Firewall or an AntiVirus program? .
>> These are only a mere few individual and valuable constituent pieces
>> of your system's overall protection plan.
>>
>> Is a good NAT router better than antispyware protection?
>
> No, but it's a good adjunct.
>
> HTH,
>
> Twayne

I apologize Twayne. This was asked & posted facetiously.

The foundation for safe computer use is based on all the theories and
practices we've outlined here. Neglect any one of them, and failure
will certainly find its way to your system.

We may not agree on the specific choice of brands/products but we're
probably in definite lock step on all the basics.

Respectfully,

--
1PW

Leythos · External Since: Jan 23, 2009 Posts: 61

In article <OQ2Dvf0LKHA.5192 RemoveThis @TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl>,
nobody RemoveThis @devnull.spamcop.net says...
>
> "1PW" <1PW RemoveThis @INVALID.com> wrote in message
> news:h80aa6$tm7$1@news.eternal-september.org
> > Arif Mehal wrote:
> >> Which is better, a Firewall or an AntiVirus program? .
> >
> > These are only a mere few individual and valuable constituent pieces
> > of your system's overall protection plan.
> >
> > Is a good NAT router better than antispyware protection?
>
> No, but it's a good adjunct.

But a quality NAT router is better than a SOFT firewall that you don't
understand how to use properly or where you run as a local Admin
account.

--
You can't trust your best friends, your five senses, only the little
voice inside you that most civilians don't even hear -- Listen to that.
Trust yourself.
spam999free RemoveThis @rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

Twayne · External Since: Jan 08, 2009 Posts: 185

"Leythos" <spam999free DeleteThis @rrohio.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.250e86f63c1deb4a989e6c@us.news.astraweb.com
> In article <OQ2Dvf0LKHA.5192 DeleteThis @TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl>,
> nobody DeleteThis @devnull.spamcop.net says...
>>
>> "1PW" <1PW DeleteThis @INVALID.com> wrote in message
>> news:h80aa6$tm7$1@news.eternal-september.org
>>> Arif Mehal wrote:
>>>> Which is better, a Firewall or an AntiVirus program? .
>>>
>>> These are only a mere few individual and valuable constituent pieces
>>> of your system's overall protection plan.
>>>
>>> Is a good NAT router better than antispyware protection?
>>
>> No, but it's a good adjunct.
>
> But a quality NAT router is better than a SOFT firewall that you don't
> understand how to use properly or where you run as a local Admin
> account.

True. But in general it's easier to train and program a software
firewall than port-forward and so on in the router.
But: That said, the OP was asking about comparing a NAT to
antispyware, not a soft firewall. Once a router opens a port, it's open
and it doesn't care whether it's a virus or spyware passing through it
until something tells it to close like you abandon the connection or
whatever. Lately it seems like there are much greater chances of
picking up spyware than there are viruses; here at least.

Cheers,

Twayne`

Richard · External Since: May 13, 2009 Posts: 36

> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake DeleteThis @this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
> news:jng7a55d3e0hgrso1vqajs69qgdcefasj9@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 15:58:51 +0600, "Arif Mehal"
> <arifmehal DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Which is better, a Firewall or an Anti-Virus program? .
>
>
> That's like asking which is better, a steak dinner or a Cadillac car.
> A firewall and an anti-virus program each do two different things and
> should not be compared this way. You should have both.
>
> I recommend using the Windows firewall and either NOD32 (if you are
> willing to pay for it) or Avast (if you want freeware).

I agree with using Windows firewall, and I recommend Eset's NOD32(paid),
Kaspersky(paid), or Avast(free Home edition, or paid Pro.)

> Also note that you have mentioned only two of the three kinds of
> necessary security applications. The third type is anti-spyware, and
> because none of these is near perfect, everybody should run at least
> two of these (but not at the same time). I recommend MalwareBytes
> Anti-Malware, and Super Anti-Spyware (both free).

I don't know for sure about Kaspersky, but both NOD32 and Avast are not only
antivirus, but antispyware. Here's the NOD32 list: "Viruses, Worms, Trojan
horses, Rootkits, Adware, Spyware, Potentially unsafe applications,
Potentially unwanted applications."

Still, better safe than sorry, I also recommend MalwareBytes and SAS. (What
we really need is better anti-UserStupidity brainware. Smile

FWIW. --Richard