Question about Firwall Routers - any advice appreciated

[Peterlock]

Hi Everyone, :wave

Perry made a good suggestion to look into Firewall Routers, dunce that I often can be I had never heard of firewall routers. So I've been doing some research and they seem like an excellent, and surprisingly affordable safe guard.

Question:

I use just a single computer here at home, so for now no need to network. The wireless WGT634U unit by NetGear looks terrific, I especially like that it broadcasts the routers IP and not your computers, maybe they all do this I'm still in the learning curve. But Cnet gave this particular model and excellent review.

About set up - I imagine I would connect my DSL modem to the Router and then to phone jack by an Ethernet connection as I have now. Later on if we add another computer you build the network with a receiver..?

If you use the Router is running a Firewall on the PC still good for extra protection - or is it unnecessary?

Thanks!!

Peter ha

[full-wit]

Hi Peter, I asked my DH, who is a firewall engineer, your questions...

About set up - I imagine I would connect my DSL modem to the Router and then to phone jack by an Ethernet connection as I have now. Later on if we add another computer you build the network with a receiver..?

Yeah, the phone line connects into the DSL modem. The ethernet
connection on the DSL modem (which is not plugged into the PC) will plug
into the WAN jack on the router. And the PC will plug into one of the
four ethernet ports on the router.

As you add PCs to your home network, they will connect either with
ethernet to the other ports on the router (the router has 4 ports for
this purpose) or the PCs can use a wireless network card.

If you use the Router is running a Firewall on the PC still good for extra protection - or is it unnecessary?

The firewall software on the PC won't add any extra protection for
connections IN to your PC, but it may help control unwanted connections
OUT of your PC, e.g. spyware. In other words, it doesn't hurt to leave
that software running...


Hope this helps!

[Peterlock]

Hi CeeDee! :wave

Many Thanks to you and your Hubby ~ I'm definatley going to go with a wirless router and keep running the PC based Firewall. That was an excellent point about out going protection.

Because I'm on the web so much I need all the protection I can get, If I'm not on here, I'm eBay If I'm not on eBay it's a webinar or training session, if not that..I'm shopping!

I wish Atkins reduced our cravings to shop! ...anyway, awfully kind of you to provide so much info Thanks again!

Peter ha