Hello, I have an on-access anti-virus. My Windows firewall started to block trafic at one point so I disabled it. Do I really need to install a third-party firewall or can I live with no firewall, knowing that I have an up-to-date anti-virus? If a virus is inoculated into my computer, my antivirus will detect it and remove it right away, correct?
Thanks!

actually nobody really needs the firewall(unless someone is after you ex. government? lol) but if you REALLY NEED one, then go search "pc tools firewall plus"

its absolutely free

I doubt if clamwin is ever going to have a built in firewall, since they wont have file cleaning. So yeah, i guess thats enough

firewalls are for HACKERS not viruses. i doubt anyone would want to hack into someones computer without even knowing that person,

I thought hackers picked random IPs to try getting into the prey's system to inoculate viruses. Is this true or false?

You need a software firewall if you do not have a hardware firewall (a router with NAT network address translation). Firewalls are concerned with data packets. Antivirus software is concerned with files. A firewall is one part of a "defense in depth" security strategy, which is your best bet for protection against all kinds of malware/hacking-- consisting of firewall, antivirus, antispyware, and behavior blocker/intrusion protection (if the antivirus doesn't have that).

Regards,

Thanks. If I am directly connected to the Internet, if I have an antivirus but no firewall, what exactly can happen?

things that can happen are....

people can SEE EXACTLY what your doing

steal credit card numbers

steal passwords

and other theft.


BUT THIS IS EXTREAMLY UNLIKELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNLESS someone actually threatens you.

Hello,
Personally I would suggest installing a firewall thus a to have an extra protection layer on your machine, especially when you are connected to the internet.
Basically, with a firewall installed you can keep an eye on data packets coning in and out your machine and on applications which are running and connecting to the web.
This is particulary important as most firewall show warning pop up when an application is trying to access the web; thus you can avoid that some malware/spyware which could be installed on your machine (and not yet detected by antivirus) is activating without your consent, thus making your data or PC ports accessible to remote users.

There are several choices for free firewalls: I am currently using PC Tools firewall (https://www.pctools.com/firewall/) on my laptop and Commodo Personal Firewall (https://www.personalfirewall.trustix.com/) on desktop. Both of them are reliable products. Better if you complete the security set with an antispyare and a behaviour blocker, as GuitarBob suggested.

Hope this helps,
Antonio