TheZAOGhost
join:2002-07-20
|  Do I need a router for 1 computer connected to internet?
Right now, my parents have a Windows PC connected to a Airport Extreme Base Station and I use a Macintosh laptop connected wirelessly.
I am moving out and the Airport is coming with me. Do I need to get another router to run the Windows PC through so it has a hardware firewall instead of just the software firewall? |
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woody7
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA | It couldn't hurt...
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BlooMe |
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NanDog
The Pup Was Female, I'M Not
Premium
join:2003-12-28
Tacoma, WA
 ·HarborNet
edit:
May 30th, @04:58PM
| reply to TheZAOGhost
Good reading on the site FAQ: »Security »How to Secure (and Keep Secure) My (New) Computer(s): A Layered Approach:
Scroll down to the second grouping and read the stuff on NAT routers. 
Edit: BTW, I feel my router is an indispensable part of my security package!
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See ya across the Rainbow Bridge, my good and faithful friend! |
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altermatt
Premium
join:2004-01-22
White Plains, NY
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to TheZAOGhost
I generally recommend a router for the NAT and SPI firewall, which I think now is pretty standard.
One thing to consider is how they are connecting to the Net. For instance, if on DSL, many of the modems come with a four port router feature that provides NAT (though often a less sophisticated firewall). With a good software firewall and good surfing habits, that may be adequate. However, right now, I'm visiting someone running a cable modem with no router features, and no router, just a software firewall---I'm going to install a router for him, although he, too, has only the one computer. For as cheap as they are now (particularly wired ones), as woody7 (and my grandmother) said, it couldn't hurt.
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The truth of a thing is the feel of it, not the think of it. -- Stanley Kubrick |
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TheZAOGhost
join:2002-07-20 | Any suggestions on which router to get? I can't afford anything major. |
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TheZAOGhost
join:2002-07-20
| reply to TheZAOGhost
I've noticed a lot of people on these boards suggesting ZyXEL routers.
Would the ZyXEL P-330WC be a good choice?
»www.compusa.com/products/product···d_Router |
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NY22
@mindspring.com
|  reply to TheZAOGhost
I'm actually the owner of a computer with only one user and his own cable broadband connection. Mostly due to the fact that his parents couldn't put up with him wanting total access and control to everything while locking everyone else out from changing certain settings in Windows.  With that said, having a router even though you only need one Ethernet connection is not a bad idea, you get good protection for you money and what's great is that since the majority of them come with four port switches (some might have more, not sure) and some even with Wireless, it leaves your expansion of the network open for stretching if you know what I mean.  I would reccomend the WRT54G model of the Linksys Rouer. Haven't had any problems with it at all and it's easy to use. Be sure to turn off the Wi-Fi if you don't need it and if you can, setup static IP addresses for your LAN connection on your computer and turn off DHCP.  Hope this helps. |
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exocet_cm
Signal 26's Rock
Premium
join:2003-03-23
New Orleans, LA
clubs:  
 ·Cox HSI
·Network Telephone ..
·Suddenlink
 ·Cingular Wireless
| reply to TheZAOGhost
I would suggest ZyXel. If you have some extra clams that you can shell out I would definitely check into Watchguard Firebox. I have a Watchguard Firebox X50 and love the thing. I also know of three major corporations that use Watchguard Fireboxes for their firewall and routing and swear by it.
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"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons..." - T.S Eliot
Ma Blog »www.johndball.com
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NetFixer
Snarl for the camera please
Premium
join:2004-06-24
Murfreesboro, TN
 ·Vonage
·Cingular Wireless
·AT&T CallVantage
·AT&T Southeast
·Comcast
| reply to NY22
said by NY22 :
I'm actually the owner of a computer with only one user and his own cable broadband connection.
Is this an admission that this post was just trolling. 
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History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Test your firewall. | Stop and smell the flowers. |
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Traxless
Premium
join:2005-02-16
USA | LOL ... I'd say BINGO! |
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NY22
@mindspring.com | reply to TheZAOGhost
hahahahahaha |
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EGeezer
Summer is passing
Premium
join:2002-08-04
Country!
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to TheZAOGhost
I have a ZyXel G2000+ for my wireless and an old Netgear FVS318 for my wired LAN. I prefer the ZyXel for its logging capabilities and will replace the Netgear with a Zyxel if/when it dies.
I like having the router offload the CPU cycles of a firewall/logger and to provide a backup firewall if the workstation FWs crash or shut down during updates.
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The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes or its theories will hold water.
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gugarci
Premium
join:2004-02-25
Lyndhurst, NJ | I used one in conjuntion with ZAP. |
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markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO | reply to TheZAOGhost
Just get a netgear 10/100 4 port switch/firewall. Cost about $30-40 online, had mine for 3 years. I use 10meg/1meg package with my cable and works flawlessly. It's easy to setup.
Remote manage it, or logon via web browser. |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County
·Speakeasy
| reply to TheZAOGhost
I used safe browsing and a good software firew3all with zero issues and would not hesitate to do it again. I have a router so that a PC could be moved to another room and have the printer networked as well - otherwise I would still be using the software firewall and good browsing habits. |
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yazdzik
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-26
Honesdale, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·New York Connect
| reply to TheZAOGhost
Dear Ghost,
Although need might be an overly strong word, I would say that, while the Watchguard is a really useful piece of gear, the ZyXel is good enough. If nothing else, a twenty-thirty dollar will be useful, cheap, and my personal experience remains that a hardware firewall is something without which one should not connect. Giving the mac address of one's actual pc to the world is possibly unwise.
All good wishes,
Yazdzik
--
"Basically, any malware written is going to need to be statically linked..." - ferricOxide |
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LouisB_TX
Premium
join:2005-03-09
Dickinson, TX |  reply to TheZAOGhost
Simple Question "Do I need a router for 1 computer connected to internet?"
Simple answer "No"
As long as your running a decent software-based firewall, you should be ok. |
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Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
clubs:
 ·Site5.com
·AT&T Midwest
·Comcast
| reply to TheZAOGhost
I have always gotten into the habit of recommending a router in between the cable/dsl modem and the computer. Why? First off, they are very inexpensive now. The cost of a software firewall is easily as much as a hardware one. Secondly, a hardware firewall doesn't slow the PC down which I have had some people complain about. Lastly, it isn't a support nightmare to admin a hardware firewall these days.
In addition, if you want to add extra computers, it makes it easy to have a hardware firewall in place.
Obviously, you will want to run some kind of antivirus to protect yourself and some of them come with firewalls of their own. I say go for it to be honest because you need that level of protection as well.
--
My Domain
Nightfall's Hockey and Life Journal |
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TOPDAWG
Premium
join:2005-04-27
Midland, ON | reply to TheZAOGhost
I just use a router I got from walmart for $30. Does the job just fine and is cheap. |
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Anav
Sarcastic Llama? Naw, Just Acerbic
Premium
join:2001-07-16
Dartmouth, NS
edit:
May 31st, @08:53AM
| reply to Nightfall
Concur with nightfall.
SW firewalls (plenty of good free ones) are a line of defense on the computer that look at both inbound and outbound traffic and for me is key component of basic security.
A basic NAT router is defense before the computer and does stop incoming traffic, which relieves the SW firewall from this task and IMPORTANTLY for your folks they will not get a gazillion warnings of scans.... In a sense, with a ROUTER, you have removed their computer from direct internet access (& vulnerability) and this is a good thing!!
The A/V advice was very good, make sure theirs is up to date.
The P330W is a cheap but decent wifi router that will serve them well and allow you to connect wirelessly when you visit...
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Ain't nuthin but the blues! "Albert Collins".
Leave your troubles at the door! "Pepe Peregil" De Sevilla. Just Don't Wifi without WPA, "Yul Brenner"
LlamaWorks Equipment |
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