Do I Need A Firewall

[derekpara]

If I'm using Windows Security Essentials do I need a Firewall as well ?

I'm running Windows 7 on a laptop and XP on a PC.

Cheers.

D

[Buenchico]

When MSE is first installed it should check whether there's a firewall turned on. If you select the relevant option it will automatically turn the Windows Firewall on (or, if it can't do so for some reason, advise you of the problem).

So yes, you do need a firewall but you might already have one turned on. (Go to Start > Control Panel > Security Center to check).

Some people regard the Windows Firewall as inadequate and suggest using the free versions of Zone Alarm or Comodo instead.

Chris

[VHG]

>>>Go to Start > Control Panel > Security Center to check

In Windows 7 it is called the Action Centre not Security Centre.

[derekpara]

Thank you both.

Is it OK to keep both firewalls running or should I disable the Windows Firewall ?

D

[Buenchico]

Security programs which run 'in the background' (such as anti-virus programs and firewalls) might conflict with other similar programs, so you should only ever have ONE of each running.

Security programs which run 'on demand' (such as the free versions Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware and Spybot's Search & Destroy) can't conflict with other as long as you run them one at a time.

So you should only have ONE anti-virus program and ONE firewall but you can have as many 'run on demand' anti-malware programs (such as Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware, which should be on everyone's PC) as you like.

Chris

[derekpara]

Thanks again, Chris.

D

[Buenchico]

I've just had another read of your question: "Is it OK to keep both firewalls running?"

MSE does NOT include a firewall of its own. That's why it tries to turn on the Windows Firewall by default. If you're not using Zone alarm, Comodo or something similar, then the Windows Firewall should be turned ON.

(My previous answer was based upon the assumption that 'both', in your post, referred to the Windows Firewall and a third-party product; I now see that you might have been referring to the Windows Firewall and a [non-existent] MSE firewall. Sorry for any confusion!)