Kitz Forum

Internet => General Internet => Topic started by: anon_private on January 28, 2010, 03:33:23 AM

Title: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: anon_private on January 28, 2010, 03:33:23 AM
I recently switched on the firewall at the ISP's website (set at High). I was a litttle surprised to discover that I was able to switch on the firewall at the ISP's website. I assumed that this issue would need to be addressed at the PC itself. I wonder if the ISP then communicates settings to the PC?

On the pc itself, I note that the firewall is set as standard, and that it is not possible to edit the firewall. Does this all sound consistent. In addition, can you advise on setting the advanced options for the firewall on the pc?

Thanks
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: tuftedduck on January 28, 2010, 06:48:22 AM
I don't really understand what you mean when you state that you "switched on the firewall at the ISP's website".
Which firewall and how did you do that ?

Could you give some more detail as to what occured ?

As to your own firewall and it's configuration, please advise which firewall you have and which OS you are running.
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: Oranged on January 28, 2010, 10:28:56 AM
You probably mean that you turned on your router firewall from within its configuration pages.

This has nothing to do with the ISP, it's a hardware firewall rather than a software firewall which you find on your computer.
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: anon_private on January 28, 2010, 10:49:14 AM
Hi,

I logged in at my ISP's site and went to 'connections'. I noted that there were firewall settings here, and also noted that the firewall was 'off'. I turned it on. Questions. Is this firewall operating on my account at the ISP to safeguard information sent to the router?

I can login to the router and have noted that the firewall here is set to standard. Question. Is there a relationship between the firewall settings at the ISP and the router at home?

I have a firewall on my pc which is configured.

Question. At the ISP's site, when switching on the firewall, there were a number of advanced options. All disabled. Can anyone advise on which should be enabled - maybe all of them?

Overall. It seems that there are three firewall facilities. At the ISP, at the router, and at the PC. Is this a braces, belt, and more braces approach to pc protection.

Thanks
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: tuftedduck on January 28, 2010, 11:05:14 AM
I think I understand now...........do you by any chance refer to the Plusnet Firewall ?

If so, I think that will protect you only on an incoming basis, and will not monitor/check any outbound traffic.
If that is indeed the case, I would be inclined to not use it.........you will have sufficient protection by way of your hardware firewall in the router and you PC installed software firewall if that provides both way checking.

Too many firewalls can cause conflicts and slow things down..........one hardware, one software is the general guide.
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: anon_private on January 29, 2010, 10:29:46 AM
yes, I am referring to PlusNet.

So it's best to switch the PlusNet firewall off. They, Plusnet, think it is best to have it enbaled?

I am now suffering from cognitive dissonance.

Best wishes

A
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: anon_private on January 29, 2010, 10:34:24 AM
and incorrect grammar.
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: roseway on January 29, 2010, 10:39:15 AM
I think TD's advice was good - assuming that you use a router and not a USB modem, then you already have an effective hardware firewall which will protect you against incoming incursions. If you also have a software firewall on your PC, then you have enough protection, and enabling the one at your ISP could cause conflicts.
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: anon_private on January 29, 2010, 11:01:23 AM
Thank you

Yes, I do have a router

Best wishes
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: jazz on January 29, 2010, 11:03:57 AM
I use Plusnet and have the ISP Firewall set to Medium.  I also have my router firewall and ZoneAlarm (free version) on my PC.  I have never found a conflict or a slowness problem.  The Plusnet firewall deals only with incoming material (as does the router firewall).  It is the PC Firewall that I rely on for checking outgoing data. :)
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: anon_private on January 30, 2010, 03:09:54 AM
Hi,

Why did you not set the PlusNet firewall to High?

I assume that you recommend using the PlusNet firewall along with the router and any pc firewall.

Best wishes.
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: jazz on January 30, 2010, 09:49:40 AM
Sorry, I have mine set to Low (there is no medium setting - my memory is letting me down again!)  If set to High it blocks all ports.  If set to Low it just blocks those ports most commonly associated with virus and trojan problems.  I think that if you have it set High you could risk conflicts which might prevent some legitimate things happening depending on the programs that you run.  The Low setting has never caused me any problems so I just feel happy to leave it at that!  I don't suppose I'd have any particular problems if I turned it off as I have good protection with my Router and PC firewalls but I just thought I may as well let someone else act as first line defence if it causes me no problems! :)
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: anon_private on January 30, 2010, 12:36:04 PM
Hi,

Mine is set to High at the moment. If there are any problems, I can always reset it, or disable it.

As a matter of interest, did you set any of the Advanced Options? I am not sure what to make of these?

Best wishes.

A
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: jazz on January 30, 2010, 02:25:53 PM
No, I don't use any of the Advanced Settings.  I follow a simple rule of "If you are not sure what it is don't switch it on"! (or off!).  The settings can be altered at any time that you want though.  If you are concerned about your security you may find it comforting to go to the Gibson Research site and run a "Shields Up" test - you can find it at https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

If you have a router and good PC Firewall and Antivirus you should be perfectly ok.  Just don't "unlock your doors" by opening strange emails!!   :)
Title: Re: Firewall ISP and PC
Post by: poppy on February 23, 2010, 09:23:03 AM
Prompted to check my own Plusnet firewall setting by this thread, I have checked and found that at some stage I must have put it on High.
Must have been like that for a long while and it hasn't caused any problems so far.
I also use Kaspersky and my router firewall of course.