Hi Brent.
I am using a LINKSYS router, but I think that others probably work as
well. It just happened to be the one that the little computer store that I
frequent happens to carry.
73, de Lou K2LKK
At 08:22 PM 7/14/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>What hardware firewall is the best to use? Are there really any better than
>others?
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 7:03 PM
>Subject: Re: ROUTERS
>
>
> > Hi Steve.
> >
> > It really depends upon which virus invaded the system. Some of the more
> > recent Internet worms use a technique of polling IP addresses until an
> > unguarded one is found and then the Internet worm infects that machine.
>In
> > worms or viruses of this type, a hardware firewall can give some
>additional
> > protection above and beyond what the antivirus software does.
> >
> > Software firewalls have their advantages too. A software firewall, in
>many
> > cases can be set up to block unauthorized traffic in both directions,
> > thereby limiting the effectiveness of spyware. That is not to say that
> > they are a replacement for programs like Ad Aware or Spybot, because your
> > system can still operate very poorly with spyware attempting to run in
>your
> > system, but a software firewall can at least guard your privacy, provided
> > that it is used correctly.
> >
> > Software firewalls are not without their drawbacks, though. They must, by
> > the nature of what they do, constantly utilize processor time which will
> > slow down your system a little, especially where the Internet and e-mail
> > are concerned. It is an acceptable tradeoff under most circumstances, but
> > a hardware firewall does not use any processor time, and has less of an
> > effect on Internet transfer rates.
> >
> > I run a software firewall here, and have found performance to be fairly
> > good on a 1.7 Ghz AMD Athelon processor. The firewall that I am using is
> > the one that is built into Norton Internet Security. It is not very
> > "adaptive technology friendly" though, especially for Window-Eyes
> > users. That brings up the second drawback to software firewalls--they
>are,
> > in many cases, unfriendly to screen readers.
> >
> > So, while I think that software firewalls are a viable alternative, and
> > incidentally, the only alternative for dial up users, I don't think the
> > computer store was entirely wrong in what they told Walt. But regarding
> > antivirus software, you really need both a firewall and an antivirus
> > program these days, and if you are on the Internet very much, you had
> > better find something to scan for spyware, too. It is so prevalent on the
> > Internet that if you aren't scanning for it regularly, the chances that
>you
> > have some and your privacy is being compromised is 100%.
> >
> > 73, de Lou K2LKK
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > At 11:50 AM 7/13/2004 -0400, you wrote:
> > >Well, the computer store is trying to generate extra money for itself.
> > >
> > >A router is a device which allows you to share a connection on more than
>one
> > >computer. In most cases, you install the router between your cable or
>DSL
> > >modem and the router then routes the packets to the appropriate computer.
> > >This allows you to connect up to 253 computers on a home network with
>most
> > >routers. Since you only have one computer, you don't need a router.
> > >
> > >As an additional protection, routers have built-in hardware firewalls.
>But,
> > >it's just one more thing to configure, in my opinion. You can get
>similar
> > >protection with a good software firewall. Second, a firewall might keep
> > >hackers from getting into your PC, but it affords no virus protection.
> > >
> > >So, go figure! My only guess is in the best case, the computer store
> > >salesperson is uninformed; or in the worst case, they are trying to
>getmore
> > >bucks from you and have given you erroneous advice in order to get it.
> > >
> > >Steve, K8SP
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: "Walt Sebastian" <[log in to unmask]>
> > >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > >Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2004 10:48 AM
> > >Subject: ROUTERS
> > >
> > >
> > >Hi Guys,
> > >I seem to have a virus. I called the computer store and was asked if a
> > >router was installed. I guess one will be now. My question is, what is
>a
> > >router and what does it do for you. At the moment, I have one computer,
>if
> > >that makes any difference. 73.
> > >
> > >Walt
> > >WA4QXT
> > >New London CT
> > >[log in to unmask]
> >
> > Louis Kim Kline
> > A.R.S. K2LKK
> > Home e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> > Work e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> > Work Telephone: (585) 697-5753
> >
Louis Kim Kline
A.R.S. K2LKK
Home e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Work e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Work Telephone: (585) 697-5753
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