Gateway "Advanced" Settings for better security?

[Aryag460]

Hello, 

I am sorry for posting something that may seem stupid, but I know nothing about internet security. I have two questions, with the second one being irrelevant, but I will give it a go. 

1) My son thinks he might have changed something under the "Advanced" settings on our Gateway that he shouldn't have, and thus, I would greatly appreciate if someone can check whether there are any security vulnerabilities here (eg. stranger accessing my network).

Port Forwarding: Disabled

Port Triggering: Disabled

Remote Management: Disabled for both HTTP and HTTPS

DMZ: Disabled

Device Discovery: 

• UPnP: Enabled
• Zero Config: Disabled

Also, under "Connected Devices" we have "Prefer Private Connection" checked. Is this Ok?

2) Is it ok to turn on Macbook's own Firewall, and also have an active Antivirus software (eg. Norton) running at the same time?

Thank you so much for your time.

Stay Safe.

[rstra]

Those are the defaults, so it is all good.

Yes, you can run the MacBook’s firewall and have Norton running at the same time. There might be some issues running the firewall if you have some local file sharing going on.

[mdk]

@Aryag460 -- Is it ok to turn on Macbook's own Firewall, and also have an active Antivirus software (eg. Norton) running at the same time?

Yes. Compare the firewall to having a security-guard at the entrance to your apartment/condo building, to block "unsolicited" traffic (door-to-door vacuum salespersons, and Telus representatives wanting you to switch to their services), and the anti-virus software to another security-guard at your own front-door inside your condo, patting-down the visitor (hiding a chainsaw under their trench-coat) before being allowed to enter your home.

Both blocking unsolicited traffic, and virus-scanning of received files are parts of a comprehensive solution for being safe while on the Internet. I recommend that you routinely use both.

The MacBook's firewall is "on" by default, and it should not block any "file-sharing" among computers "inside" your residence.