[JamesP81]

You are saying that this router is an effective firewall in itself?

Routers are generally configured from the factory to block nearly any connection except common ones; such as HTTP (for web browsing). It's not 100% bulletproof by any sttretch, but neither is Windows Firewall or any other firewall. Software firewalls are fine to use, but they're only really important if you don't have a router between your machine and your internet connection. In your situation, AV software and anti-spyware software are going to be far more important than a firewall.

[gondramB]

>>Routers are generally configured from the factory to block nearly any connection except common ones; such as HTTP (for web browsing). It’s not 100% bulletproof by any sttretch, but neither is Windows Firewall or any other firewall. Software firewalls are fine to use, but they’re only really important if you don’t have a router between your machine and your internet connection. In your situation, AV software and anti-spyware software are going to be far more important than a firewall.<<

Everyone should absolutely have a hardware router with SPI (stateful packet inspection) to stop attacks before they get to the computer.