I have one question about hardware firewalls

[Cable Vision]

Hi,here my question,is possible to buy a hardware firewall and remain with built in SP2 firewall and gain good security with this two,this is my question,i think buy a harware firewall,why is good for home user?

[YeOldeStonecat]

I prefer any/all computers that I have, and computers that I support...to be behind a NAT router. I prefer that first line of defense to be hardware based. Increased performance, less pesky nag stuff in the way like software firewalls tend to do.

Realize that a router with NAT is really just a dumb firewall, blocks unknown traffic from the untrusted (internet), and allows any/all traffic to go out from the LAN (trusted). So...it hides your network well, but...if you happen to be one who frequents bad sites or downloads lots of junk..you could pickup a trojan...which could then begin to do its stuff because the router will allow it out.

For me, a router is fine. My systems are up to date with critical updates, top notch antivirus, several malware prevention tools, and I know what I'm doing online. Plus I online game a lot. Add that all up, and a software firewall ends up being a pain in the butt to me, plus hampers online game performance.

However, the Windows built in firewall...I leave that on. It doesn't bother me, matter of fact pretty much all my clients, it's enabled also..and they're behind routers. Just one more thing to have for protection....against worms' n other things that might travel across networks if one happens to get inside.

[Cable Vision]

I prefer any/all computers that I have, and computers that I support...to be behind a NAT router. I prefer that first line of defense to be hardware based. Increased performance, less pesky nag stuff in the way like software firewalls tend to do.

Realize that a router with NAT is really just a dumb firewall, blocks unknown traffic from the untrusted (internet), and allows any/all traffic to go out from the LAN (trusted). So...it hides your network well, but...if you happen to be one who frequents bad sites or downloads lots of junk..you could pickup a trojan...which could then begin to do its stuff because the router will allow it out.

For me, a router is fine. My systems are up to date with critical updates, top notch antivirus, several malware prevention tools, and I know what I'm doing online. Plus I online game a lot. Add that all up, and a software firewall ends up being a pain in the butt to me, plus hampers online game performance.

However, the Windows built in firewall...I leave that on. It doesn't bother me, matter of fact pretty much all my clients, it's enabled also..and they're behind routers. Just one more thing to have for protection....against worms' n other things that might travel across networks if one happens to get inside.Can you tell me or posting a pic and a part number of some hardwares firewalls for home users,i need one,remember i have cable modem and i don,t need share my conection,only one PC running at 256kbps...thank,s........i have Outpost running,good firewall but configuring and responding this alert is a headache........ :confused:

[YeOldeStonecat]

A lot of people have been liking DLink routers.

For the "Under 100 dollar home router market"I like the Linksys BEFSX41 series (note...SX41...not SR41)..big difference between the two. Long as you pay attention to the firmware..this past winter they've been shipping with some buggy variants of 1.5X firmware. I backflash them to the trusty 1.45.7 firmware. I've read people seem happy with 1.51 firmware.

If you have a bit more budget and want something more SOHO midrange, the Linksys/Cisco RV0 series. Oodles of features and power. :nod: