Dynalink rta770 -login [Archive] - SpeedGuide.net Broadband Community

jeepers

04-13-06, 06:12 AM

I was browsing another forum "whirlpool.net.au" and there was some discussion on the merits of so called software firewalls. I.E. Zonealarm and Nortons.... Most people said that they were both a load of s**t.

But one person said that if you have a modem/router and it has a firewall then you should use the router to login, and you dont need any other sort of firewall.

my question is what did he mean by using the router to login, I can login to my router for doing portforwarding and other stuff like that, but my impression was that he meant login as to login to Windows...:(

Any help on clearing this up will be appreciated.:)

jeepers

YeOldeStonecat

04-13-06, 07:23 AM

my question is what did he mean by using the router to login, I can login to my router for doing portforwarding and other stuff like that, but my impression was that he meant login as to login to Windows...:(

Any help on clearing this up will be appreciated.:)

jeepers

If you have DSL, it's most likely PPPoE. That being the case...your ISP requires a username and a password...sort of like a dial up adapter in the old dial up modem days. Well...you can have software on your computer do that for you..such as EnterNET300, or RASPPPoE, or..Windows XP supports it natively, and some of the newer modems you get from your ISP do it for you. Or...you can (and should) have your router do the login for you.

Cable users...not the case here, just plug in the router and go..no user/pass required.

As for a software firewall...that depends on the user. Personally I don't use them, but some people, I guess if you tread in dangerous waters, do lots of P2P file sharing, frequent "bad websites"...you're at very high risk for trojans...and not being the careful type, should have a software firewall to help you prevent some of them from reporting outbound.

Most consumer grade broadband routers run NAT and SPI..the pretty much only block outside traffic from coming in. That's all that matters to me. But they don't stop any traffic from inside...from going out..it's all trusted. So if you have a trojan..it can report back home.

As for me...I consider them a bandaid...the bad stuff shouldn't be on your PC in the first place, setting up your PC properly, and using your head while surfing and on the 'net. There's really no right or wrong...if you want a sofware firewall..put on one. It's an individuals decision based on how they use their computer.