Firewalls/Is this statement true?

[alegator]

"You can buy a consumer hub/firewall (which will also network your home computers) for about $30, and it's more effective than any software AV/Firewall."
which I got from here:
http://news.com.com/Week+in+review+Visions+of+Vista+Buyer+beware/2100-1083_3-6155643.h...?tag=nefd.lede

If so, what hardware firewall is the best out there? And would it be justified to get one even if a have a single PC? Thanks.

[Dubber]

I'd recommend getting a wireless router in case you have a laptop. If not - wired router, any major brand. Some come with 3 years warranty.
Routers in general are firewalls. I use mine for 3 years now and have not yet experienced any intrusions as opposed to a few of my friends who are connected directly thru cable modems. In my area it takes on average 15 minutes to get infected with a virus or to get hacked into if not protected with hardware or software firewall.
Another reason to get a HARDWARE router - you don't need to constantly download software updates as opposed to SOFTWARE firewall and/or pay extra for annual software upgrades and such. Invest $50 once and you are good for as long as your router is alive. Complement your router with a free antivirus like AVG.

Cheers.

[Jim44]

I'm not sure about that. AFAIK, no external hardware firewall can monitor/prevent OUT-bound connections (I could be wrong). So if you've got a trojan/malware that tries to set up an outward connection (aka "phone home", the SW firewall will catch it, but not the hardware one.

I used to use a SW firewall on my single PC, but since adding my son's PC to the network, thus needing a router anyway, I'm going with the hardware-based solution.

My 2 cents,
Jim

[MOVIEGEEK]

All DSL users have a router,this Siemens is what I use and it blocks everything incoming...including pings:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Siemens-SpeedStream-Modem-4100/sem/rpsm/oid/132520/rpem...oductDetail.do

But as Jim44 pointed out they don't block outgoing,so a hardware firewall/software firewall combo is the best protection....not to mention a good AV program.

[redwudz]

I would use a router/switch that has a hardware firewall if you want to network your PCs or even for a single PC. A router does NAT (Network Address Translation) so that the web just sees your router and it's address and your computer is protected and not directly 'exposed'. Your computers are on a 'Intranet' with a different series of addresses that aren't directly accessible from the web. That is a major component of the firewall.

You can also set a router to selectively block addresses on the web, or computers on your intranet from accessing the net or each other. I have a server computer that I block from internet access but the other computers on my LAN can communicate with it. It's also handy to keep the kids from accessing specific sites.

With a high speed internet connection, I wouldn't be without a router/firewall. And there are a few available in the $30US range. If you need to add more computers than your router can handle, you can also use a LAN switch, also available in the $30 range. I prefer switches to hubs as they do a better job of handling traffic between several computers. If you are running XP, this is all fairly easy to set up using XPs Network Wizard. Routers can be wired or wireless, depending on your needs. A D-link DI-604 router/switch sells for about $30 or a wireless version for a little more.

I also use a software firewall, an older version of Sygate that blocks unwanted access to and from the net, along with a IP blocker program. This keeps programs on my computer from ''phoning home' without me knowing about it.

There are dedicated hardware firewalls, but they can be expensive and may require a fair amount of programing to get all your settings correct. I like the combination of a router and a software firewall.

[Ron B]

I was looking into this for my computer that is hooked up to ADSL via an Alcatel modem. I use ZoneAlarm as a software firewall on my PC, I want to connect my laptop to the DSL as well, but not sure if I should use a router, hub or switch.
This internet connection uses PPPoE, which seems to have issues with some routers.
With two websites hanging out there, I'll take all the protection I can get.

[Agentx86]

Ron B: Some routers do indeed work with PPPOE, but I believe it can be somewhat difficult. If you surf to http://www.dslreports.com they will tell you anything you will ever need to know about it. Personally I've only had a DHCP connection, so I'm afraid I can't be of much in the way of direct help.

[hrlslcbr]

I was looking into this for my computer that is hooked up to ADSL via an Alcatel modem. I use ZoneAlarm as a software firewall on my PC, I want to connect my laptop to the DSL as well, but not sure if I should use a router, hub or switch.
This internet connection uses PPPoE, which seems to have issues with some routers.
With two websites hanging out there, I'll take all the protection I can get.

I have a D-Link DI-524 and it works fine with PPPoE and my Alcatel modem (and it's cheap too ).

[JerryB]

hi I can only really answer oneof your questions and that is firewalls...

to be gin with they both have there pro and con's... one problem with hardware firewall is that there inflexable and software you have more flexabillity to setup your protection... over the years looking at this debate in general critics always say to have both...

this link take a good look at the debate and has valuable info.... and they recommend using both......
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/webmaster/article.php/3103431

"You can buy a consumer hub/firewall (which will also network your home computers) for about $30, and it's more effective than any software AV/Firewall."
which I got from here:
http://news.com.com/Week+in+review+Visions+of+Vista+Buyer+beware/2100-1083_3-6155643.h...?tag=nefd.lede

If so, what hardware firewall is the best out there? And would it be justified to get one even if a have a single PC? Thanks.