I use a Linksys 4-port/wireless router to share a cable modem connection with three Win98se PCs and one XP PC. In addition to the router’s own internal firewall, I use ZoneAlarm software (free version. I’ve been happy with its operation, and figured it’s good to have the dual protection.
However, I’m considering uninstalling ZoneAlarm to free up some resources and just rely on the hardware-based protection offered by the router. If I risk a lot more exposure in disabling ZoneAlarm, I’ll keep it and take the resource hit. But if I have minimal if any reduction in protection, I could use the system resources freed up by removing ZoneAlarm.
Can anyone give me some recommendations and/or background on which way to go? I don’t know enough about the differences between hardware and software firewalls to know if one alone is sufficient, or if you should always try to use both.
Thanks in advance for any tips.