Wireless Router as Firewall ???

[Nufy]

I recently purchased a DIR-615 to connect my Wii to the net...

can this be set up as a firewall and operate in place of the software firewall I am currently using ??

I am currently using Zone Alarm as my firewall.

One less piece of software running in the background might speed things up a tiny bit.

[keratosis]

Even with hardware firewalls, you should use a software firewall.
I just use the one built into Vista with my WRT54G2 router.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by keratosis

Even with hardware firewalls, you should use a software firewall.
I just use the one built into Vista with my WRT54G2 router.

You should only if you're paranoid that someone is going to hack into your wireless and attack your computer locally.

But most recent operating systems come with a firewall anyways. No reason to pile yet another third party solution on if there is already a hardware and built in solution.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by llama64

You should only if you're paranoid that someone is going to hack into your wireless and attack your computer locally.

But most recent operating systems come with a firewall anyways. No reason to pile yet another third party solution on if there is already a hardware and built in solution.

I agree 100%.

Vista and my router is good enough for me.

[ken0042]

XP and a DIR-615 is all I have here too.

That and I employ some smart surfing practices. Like let's say hypothetically I was going to surf adult content, I would (once again hypothetically) turn my IE security up to maximum before hand.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by ken0042

XP and a DIR-615 is all I have here too.

That and I employ some smart surfing practices. Like let's say hypothetically I was going to surf adult content, I would (once again hypothetically) turn my IE security up to maximum before hand.

Any specific settings in the DIR 615 to enable ???

I have the XP firewall disabled as I was using Zone Alarm.

[ken0042]

I'm sure there might be settings to, but I'm using it right out of the box- same as I have with all my previous routers. Of course the only thing I made sure to do was change the password on the router- and that I have set to a 16 charachter "non-word" that also includes special charachters.

The basic idea is that now your internet IP address only brings a hacker to your router. From there they would need to be able to determine what router it is, guess the password, etc to be able to see any of your PCs. However with so many people not using any sort of router there are much easier targets.

So I would compare it to myself using a deadbolt in a neighbourhood where everybody else uses privacy locks.

[Buff]

If you are behind a router don't bother with software based firewalls such as ZoneAlarm. The firewall software built into Windows OS is adequate... and can it really be called a firewall? Its more professional to call it windows firewall than to call it "component of OS that idiot proofs your computer from yourself".

Like Ken said, having a router is like a deadbolt. If the burglars know that another place is easier to get into then they'll leave your place alone. They'll only try to circumvent your security if they know you have something worth getting to.

[Bobblehead]

Personally I think The firewall built into the OS is (much) better than zone alarm. The native firewall is built in and won't use anywhere near the resources a 3rd party alarm would, or cause as many potential issues with system conflicts.

[BlackArcher101]

I don't even run any software firewall. It's always disabled and I use nothing but the Linkysys NAT firewall in the router. Never had a single problem.

[cSpooge]

realistically if someone can break through a hardware firewall, that 2nd software firewall will be completely useless.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by ken0042

XP and a DIR-615 is all I have here too.

That and I employ some smart surfing practices. Like let's say hypothetically I was going to surf adult content, I would (once again hypothetically) turn my IE security up to maximum before hand.

Surf "adult content" with IE? Dude, that's like not using a condom.

[keratosis]

Originally Posted by llama64

You should only if you're paranoid that someone is going to hack into your wireless and attack your computer locally.

But most recent operating systems come with a firewall anyways. No reason to pile yet another third party solution on if there is already a hardware and built in solution.

Isn't that what I said?

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by cSpooge

realistically if someone can break through a hardware firewall, that 2nd software firewall will be completely useless.

exactly, there is no point in running a software firewall in addition to a router. the hardware one is much more secure as your PC is never even exposed directly to the internet, the only IP being broadcast out is from the router itself. all a software one will do is potentially cause connection problems with some programs

[ah123]

Something like ZoneAlarm will flag any programs trying to connect to the Internet...if you have downloaded something that likes to "phone home", ZoneAlarm will catch it (depending on your settings). That is really the only reason I can think of having a software firewall in conjunction with a router