I've signed up for cable internet. I want a hardware firewall. What piece or pieces of equipment capably and cheaply meet this requirement? I'd like model numbers if possible, and a good place to order online.



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[quote name='1988RedT2' date='Jul 14 2005, 10:40 AM']I've signed up for cable internet. I want a hardware firewall. What piece or pieces of equipment capably and cheaply meet this requirement? I'd like model numbers if possible, and a good place to order online.



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[/quote]



If you have a router, you do not need a firewall...software or hardware. NAT is your firewall. NAT is your friend.

What is NAT?

Network adress tables. Basicly it makes the router the only thing that anyone from the outside sees. NAT keeps track of packets that your computer requests and denys any packets that arn't expected (people snooping,hacking or w/e)



Get a router, turn off windows garbage firewall, install Adaware and run it often, get a good anti-virus program, and dont be stupid on the internet, update and backup things regularly, that will keep you pretty safe.

I have a netgear router/firewall that works well.

[quote name='Dysfnctnl85' date='Jul 14 2005, 11:29 AM']If you have a router, you do not need a firewall...software or hardware. NAT is your firewall. NAT is your friend.


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I do not currently have a router. That is the item I was looking for recommendations on. Is there such a thing as a cable modem/router?

I have a cablemodem router. They dont make them anymore i dont think, at least verison doesent supply them with service like they used to.

Here's whatcha need...it was 39.99 at walmart (yes, I actually paid for it) and it works great. Its a 4 port router/switch with another dedicated internet port (ethernet.) Lets me share my internet connection w/ krystal, allows us to play network games between the two computers and the interweb, blocks incoming traffic, gives a report of what websites were viewed, allows us to share files between computers, and when I get another computer, will allow me to create a media server. Cool piece of hardware. Worth every penny if you ask me.

I never knew about having a router and not needing a firewall, makes sense if you think about it I suppose. Next question is if it has an IP address does that mean it's a router, and whats the disadvantage of running a software firewall aswell?



Mark

I've had very good experience with LinkSys products if that helps at all.

What your looking for is a a box that can NAT filtering, which is almost universal, what will set them apart is the number of ports, customizeablity, and other functionality (wireless built in and such) .