I'm a bit confused. I've been told by my computer-savvy friend,that, since I access the internet a router, with anti-virus software on my system, I don't need a third-party firewall, since Windows' inbuilt Firewall, which I have switched on all the time, will do the job adequately.

 

However, if this is the case, why would anyone purchase third-party firewall protection? Am I safe?

If your router has a firewall, your AV is upto date and your not downloading tons of questionable content the standard firewall should be more then enough.

Moved to Tech & Computers, you'll get your best answers there :)

Your friend is right. Windows Firewall is perfectly adequate as long as you use common sense on the internet. In fact, Microsoft Security Essentials is also perfectly adequate as an Anti-Virus.

 

Third-party firewalls are unnecessary, but that doesn't stop there being a market for them. It's pretty easy for companies to put up posters saying that your computer is at risk and that what you have is inadequate, and there's no legal way to say that they're lying, and people flock to buy the software because they're scared into it.

I use Comodo. I've got XP, so there isn't many settings and control over it's firewall, which is why i use a third party.

It's more about control, than security.

 

Every firewall worth the name, or your router, will control incoming requests, stealth ports etc.

 

The big thing in most firewalls now is "anti-leak", stopping malicious software that has already been allowed onto your system (so also, an antimalware issue) from communiction by sneaky methods.

NB. Prevention of a leaktest by signature detection (unwanted program) is not considered to be a leaktest pass.

 

To be honest, the main point in using an "outgoing" firewall, is to trap semi-legit stuff that "phones home" without permission.