firewall and router

[seperatist]

i have a router and my friend told me that i don't need my firewall too. i have been using zonealarm. i have two comps hooked up the the router and my ps2/xbox. do i still need zonealarm?

 

[LeeJend]

Yes, for 2 reasons.

1). The router only blocks incoming attacks. If a trojan, worm etc gets onto one of the machines on your lan your data (PW, Credit Card#, Soc Sec#, keystrokes, etc) can be broadcast. Or your router can be opened up if it is not password protected. (Change that default.)

2). If one machine on the net is infected then all others are vulnerable too.

How would one machine get infected?
-Email attachment
-File download
-Floppy disk
-USB memory stick
-CD Rom
-Someone opens up the router DMZ or Ports and lets the world in.

 

[seperatist]

i will keep zonealarm then, thanks.