Q: I currently have my Linksys wireless router between cable modem and my desktop. I have wireless connection to my work laptop to use. Frankly, the wireless router is scarce and the last time I just connects to a 3-4 unsecured networks around my building because I have a better connection and I just need the connection for 1-2 hours / week max.
So, Now I m thinking of the emergency landing on the water my router and just use Zone Alarm free personal firewall. Would that be smart? In other words, to teach me about the benefits of the hardware firewall on my router vs firewall as ZoneAlarm.
Thanks!
Re:grab an old pc and setup a m0n0wall
Re:Thanks everyone. Mine is the basic Linksys WRK54, so I don't get the tweaking that's available for WRT version.
I'll keep it.
P.S. I also hate wires passionately. I hope that someone will come up with a built-in onboard wireless router in time for my next build.
Re:I view a hardware router as a defense against things trying to get in to my computer, and a software firewall as a way of identifying bad things already on my computer (like a trojan trying to launch a program or malware trying to call home). Cetainly if you're on an unsecured network you need a software firewall (though you shouldn't be doing anything too important on an unsecured network anyway). I wouldn't ditch the router – keep both. If the router is acting flaky get a new one — they're not that expensive.
Re:The router is a good extra layer of security, you should keep it, it's not as if it uses much power.
If you want to fix it you should upgrade the firmware. Try the newest official one if you like to stick to spec, or there's dd-wrt, alchemy, and openwrt (advanced) which all allow you to boost the transmit power as well as improving stability.
Re:You actully need both.
The Router's NAT Firewall is only very partial protection.
Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation. (http://www.ezlan.net/firewall.html)
:sun:
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