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Of course I do. Who the hell wouldn't! Your friend is being stupid.

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**ding ding ding** correct answer  

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If you do something wrong it will be remembered forever,
if you do something right it's like you haven't done anything at all.

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Hey, i've been using a firewall with my antivirus for about 2 years now, but my friend seems to think im paranoid, and firewalls are an unnecessary precaution. Do you use a firewall or do you think they are not needed for home use?

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They are becoming more and more important now. A few years ago you would have been ok without one, but now they are almost as important as antivirus. Don't forget that windows XP has a built-oin firewall anyway, so i expect your friend is running one without knowing it. Although the one in XP is a start, it is really better to get something a bit stronger.

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Anyone who isn't confused really doesn't understand the situation
http://craigk.org/pictures/
Can you work out the code?

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Firewalls are very necesary if you have a direct connection to the internet, (dialup or direct cable or dsl).  As for me I have a home network that connects through a router to the internet.  The router only allows messages to come in if I start the conversation (eg if I ask for a webpage).  It's called network address translation.  Now with that I have not had a firewall on my computer for moths and had nothing.  But it's still a good idea regardless.  Afterall, what's the downside?

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NAT only works one way remember. If you have some form of spy-ware on your computer and it talks to the outside world then not only will the NAT let it, but it will also let it talk back to your machine.

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Anyone who isn't confused really doesn't understand the situation
http://craigk.org/pictures/
Can you work out the code?

NAT only works one way remember. If you have some form of spy-ware on your computer and it talks to the outside world then not only will the NAT let it, but it will also let it talk back to your machine.

Ya, that's why I have one now, but for months I was brousing and got nothing with no firewall.  In theory, if you scanned everything comming in with an up-to-date scanner you shouldn't have anything on your computer should you?  But I agree necesary precaution.

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Give the world your best and you'll be kicked in the face.  
Give the world your best anyway.

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Quote: from pleaseremove at 4:41 am on Mar. 21, 2006

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NAT only works one way remember. If you have some form of spy-ware on your computer and it talks to the outside world then not only will the NAT let it, but it will also let it talk back to your machine.

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Ya, that's why I have one now, but for months I was brousing and got nothing with no firewall.  In theory, if you scanned everything comming in with an up-to-date scanner you shouldn't have anything on your computer should you?  But I agree necesary precaution.

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That only works if your antivirus supplier is ahead of your virus/spyware makers.

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Anyone who isn't confused really doesn't understand the situation
http://craigk.org/pictures/
Can you work out the code?

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Quote: from Psycho Chicken at 12:33 pm on Mar. 21, 2006

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Of course I do. Who the hell wouldn't! Your friend is being stupid.

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**ding ding ding** correct answer  

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Yay!!! Do I win anything?