Is Windows Defender Firewall of use on local network?

danielson · 04. Jan 2018, 02:51 AM

Just wondering if it is of any use to have Windows Defender firewall on when working on a local network with very few knows users?

satrow · 04. Jan 2018, 10:07 AM

I have both the Windows firewall running and a 3rd party firewall running, even though I have all Sharing disabled, as are the Workstation and Server services; SMB is also restricted.

All in an effort to prevent my machines being infected should someone else on the local network open an infected email attachment, etc.

I'm not suggesting that you or anyone else uses these methods, it very much depends on your own usage and workflow. On a company network, always check with your network admin before even considering modifying networking settings or adding a third party firewall.

*Not all 3rd party firewalls work well with the default Windows firewalls.

Remah · 04. Jan 2018, 10:41 AM

It also depends how you setup your network in Windows. For example, you have the choice of Public or Private.

See this How-To-Geek article for more info.
Also this short old article (for Windows 7) discusses Firewall profiles:

danielson · 04. Jan 2018, 02:57 PM

Thank you once again guys for your helpful considerations!

Burn-IT · 04. Jan 2018, 05:33 PM

I turn Defender OFF, but have a light firewall on each machine to protect against local cross infection and a strong router firewall.

04. Jan 2018, 02:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
danielson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,170	Is Windows Defender Firewall of use on local network? Just wondering if it is of any use to have Windows Defender firewall on when working on a local network with very few knows users?

04. Jan 2018, 10:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Remah Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,741	It also depends how you setup your network in Windows. For example, you have the choice of Public or Private. See this How-To-Geek article for more info. Also this short old article (for Windows 7) discusses Firewall profiles: __________________ Better to light a candle ... than to curse the darkness.

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04. Jan 2018, 10:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
satrow Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 127	I have both the Windows firewall running and a 3rd party firewall running, even though I have all Sharing disabled, as are the Workstation and Server services; SMB is also restricted. All in an effort to prevent my machines being infected should someone else on the local network open an infected email attachment, etc. I'm not suggesting that you or anyone else uses these methods, it very much depends on your own usage and workflow. On a company network, always check with your network admin before even considering modifying networking settings or adding a third party firewall. *Not all 3rd party firewalls work well with the default Windows firewalls.

04. Jan 2018, 02:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
danielson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,170	Thank you once again guys for your helpful considerations!

04. Jan 2018, 05:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Burn-IT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 555	I turn Defender OFF, but have a light firewall on each machine to protect against local cross infection and a strong router firewall.