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
>