online and firewalls

[sentra8777]

Should u shut down ur firewall while playing online? I do my virus scan. But will having ur firewall going make online gamming choppy?

[YeOldeStonecat]

If a NAT router, for the majority of games...no, they work fine from behind it, with negligable increase in latency. And since NAT routers inherently trust everything outbound...you usually don't run into any problems with the client side of games.

If a software firewall, due to them being CPU driven, you can have a little more increase in latency, and since they tend to nag you about outgoing stuff too...you have that configuration issue...but eventually you can get the game working.

However, I'd not want to play a game with my system exposed publically (without firewall protection)....it's only a matter of seconds...until your fall under attack and can catch a worm or virus, or something else.

[ace]

I use a router and a software firewall. When I play games online I turn mine off because it would pause and say connection problem occasionally. After turning it off I have had no problems with it.

[AceFireball]

I keep Zone Alarm Free running WHENEVER I am on my computer, they only time it messes up is if something asks for permission for the internet . But in response to your question, no, I dont think it slows you down any....in fact my ping has been excellent 60 ping in BF' 42: DC

[AceFireball]

, I'd not want to play a game with my system exposed publically (without firewall protection)....it's only a matter of seconds...until your fall under attack and can catch a worm or virus, or something else.

Exactly, especially if you play for long periods of time.....like most of us do

[Sava700]

yeah I have Sygate Pro running 24/7 the game just plays fine with it.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yeah I forgot, some people run software firewalls in addition to their hardware NAT routers. Personally I'd turn the software firewalls off.