Discussion re benefits/trade offs of a router vs something akin to zone alarm for broadband

[Route 9w]

This subject usually comes up when someone moves to always on
connection and the hype surrounding things like zone alarm seems to
beg the question.

Any comments, pro and/or con re benefits/shortcomings of a hardware
router vs something like a zone alarm?

Hardware is my preference.
Thanks
Joe

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
This subject usually comes up when someone moves to always on
connection and the hype surrounding things like zone alarm seems to
beg the question.

Any comments, pro and/or con re benefits/shortcomings of a hardware
router vs something like a zone alarm?

Hardware is my preference.
Thanks
Joe


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.
no one i know prefers a software firewall to hardware

firewall . i believe there is no argument there.

 

[Route 9w]

Thanks for the note back.
I am specifically talking about a ' just plain' router---not one that
has a specific 'firewall', although I believe the router acts as a
firewall
Joe

 

[Yves Leclerc]

A router provide NAT (natural address translation) which is somewhat a
"firewall". The unit can allow multiple PCs to "share" the single
broadband connection. Since most high-speed ISP only provides you with ONE
public IP address, this is a quick way on Internet-enabling your entire
network. Also, with a router, you do not require a PC to be used as the
gateway and you may be less likely to get the router hacked by viruses
and/or hackers.

However, using a router with firewall does not stop you from using software
firewalls.

Y.

 

[Sam]

Sometime on, or about Sun, 25 Jan 2004 20:51:03 -0500, Yves Leclerc
scribbled:

A router provide NAT (natural address translation) which is somewhat a
"firewall". The unit can allow multiple PCs to "share" the single
broadband connection. Since most high-speed ISP only provides you with ONE
public IP address, this is a quick way on Internet-enabling your entire
network. Also, with a router, you do not require a PC to be used as the
gateway and you may be less likely to get the router hacked by viruses
and/or hackers.

However, using a router with firewall does not stop you from using software
firewalls.

Y.

Since a plain router with only NAT does not have real firewall protection,
I use both. One advantage is that a good software program monitors both
traffic going out as well as just the stuff coming in. This protects you
against rogue programs that are trying to "call home" behind your back.

Sam

 

[Route 9w]

Understood. but, is the software necessary?

It usually turns out to be a little more than a nuisance that
necessitates 'letting' someone through each time so work can get done.

It would seem like we agree that, when using a router, a hacker really
does not have much aof a chance, agreed?

To get to your last comment, why would one want to use software with
the hardware?

I appreciate the input and the conversation.
Joe

 

[Route 9w]

Good point--I just have seen folks "OK' the traffic for the sake of
getting work done and then I lose faith in the software because it
allows for a mistake. Most, or a lot of users just use the computer
as a tool for work and whatever they need to do to get work does they
just do---no matter what. The things are not as reliable as the old
fashioned terminals were that just allowed one to enter data via a
template/document or form.

Oh sure, there are a lot of things we can do with them, but, when we
are allowed to think, problems set in.

Here is a portion of the user manual for a Router that I use and have
installed:

"The DI-604 combines the latest advancements in chip technology,
low-cost design and manufacturing with new, feature-rich firewall and
network management controls to give you quite possibly the most
advanced, yet affordable Ethernet router to date."

Here is a question from the product FAQ:

"How do I disable or turn off the firewall on my router?

You cannot disable the firewall on the router. "

Again, do you think software firewalls are necessary behind a
router---for any reason? The 'call home' point is a good one. Do you
have examples of how this could get started, be introduced or
otherwise get active?

Comments?
Joe