Seek hardware firewall for home user

Can someone advise me. What are some recommended models of hardware
firewall? Here are some details.

I'm in the UK and am running WinXP Pro/SP2 on a home-office PC. The PC
connects directly to a cable modem (Virgin Media) and then to the
Internet. I don't share my connection with anyone else. Printer and
scanner are attached direct to the PC via USB.

I use a software firewall by Sygate and am told that I am much better
protected by a hardware firewall.

I may (30% to 40% chance) attach a second PC later. later on I might
(about 15% to 20% chance) attach visiting laptops via wireless.

Am reasonably technical but not very familiar with data comms and
security. I wouldn't want to learn a lot about this just to run the
hardware firewall so something fairly straighforward to set up, to use,
and to update is good.

-------

What sort of hardware firewall should I get?

What recommended models? I'm on quite a tight budget and anything over
£100 is definitely out! Ideally I would spend a lot less than that.

On the otherhand I don't want something so cheap that which has too few
controls and features and can't configured later on if it gets necessary
..

Re: Seek hardware firewall for home user

In article , jon@nomail.com says...
> Can someone advise me. What are some recommended models of hardware=20
> firewall? Here are some details.
>=20
> I'm in the UK and am running WinXP Pro/SP2 on a home-office PC. The PC=
=20
> connects directly to a cable modem (Virgin Media) and then to the=20
> Internet. I don't share my connection with anyone else. Printer and=20
> scanner are attached direct to the PC via USB.
>=20
> I use a software firewall by Sygate and am told that I am much better=20
> protected by a hardware firewall.
>=20
> I may (30% to 40% chance) attach a second PC later. later on I might=20
> (about 15% to 20% chance) attach visiting laptops via wireless.
>=20
> Am reasonably technical but not very familiar with data comms and=20
> security. I wouldn't want to learn a lot about this just to run the=20
> hardware firewall so something fairly straighforward to set up, to use,=
=20
> and to update is good.
>=20
>=20
> What sort of hardware firewall should I get? =20
>=20
> What recommended models? I'm on quite a tight budget and anything over=
=20
> =A3100 is definitely out! Ideally I would spend a lot less than that. =
=20
>=20
> On the otherhand I don't want something so cheap that which has too few=
=20
> controls and features and can't configured later on if it gets necessary=
=20
> .

You're not going to get a firewall for under $250 US, but you can get a=20
NAT router that many vendors call a firewall. Look up NAT Router on=20
google.

A NAT Router will provide the basic protection you need and give you the=20
ability to run multiple computers off that device.


--=20

Leythos
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a=20
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

Re: Seek hardware firewall for home user

John D wrote:
> Can someone advise me. What are some recommended models of hardware
> firewall? Here are some details.
>
> I'm in the UK and am running WinXP Pro/SP2 on a home-office PC. The PC
> connects directly to a cable modem (Virgin Media) and then to the
> Internet. I don't share my connection with anyone else. Printer and
> scanner are attached direct to the PC via USB.
>
> I use a software firewall by Sygate and am told that I am much better
> protected by a hardware firewall.
>
> I may (30% to 40% chance) attach a second PC later. later on I might
> (about 15% to 20% chance) attach visiting laptops via wireless.
>
> Am reasonably technical but not very familiar with data comms and
> security. I wouldn't want to learn a lot about this just to run the
> hardware firewall so something fairly straighforward to set up, to use,
> and to update is good.
>
> -------
>
> What sort of hardware firewall should I get?
>
> What recommended models? I'm on quite a tight budget and anything over
> £100 is definitely out! Ideally I would spend a lot less than that.
>
> On the otherhand I don't want something so cheap that which has too few
> controls and features and can't configured later on if it gets necessary
> .

Have a look at the Netgear FVS114. Only suitable for quite small
networks (crashes if you overload it) but for 1-10 machines it should be
fine. I have two in service; in the smaller office of one client (8
machines, printer) it's mostly fine but in their larger office on two
floors we've had to replace it with its big brother. Very cheap!

Phil, London

Re: Seek hardware firewall for home user

John D wrote:
> Can someone advise me. What are some recommended models of hardware
> firewall? Here are some details.
>
> I'm in the UK and am running WinXP Pro/SP2 on a home-office PC. The PC
> connects directly to a cable modem (Virgin Media) and then to the
> Internet. I don't share my connection with anyone else. Printer and
> scanner are attached direct to the PC via USB.
>
> I use a software firewall by Sygate and am told that I am much better
> protected by a hardware firewall.
>
> I may (30% to 40% chance) attach a second PC later. later on I might
> (about 15% to 20% chance) attach visiting laptops via wireless.
>
> Am reasonably technical but not very familiar with data comms and
> security. I wouldn't want to learn a lot about this just to run the
> hardware firewall so something fairly straighforward to set up, to use,
> and to update is good.
>
> -------
>
> What sort of hardware firewall should I get?
>
> What recommended models? I'm on quite a tight budget and anything over
> £100 is definitely out! Ideally I would spend a lot less than that.
>
> On the otherhand I don't want something so cheap that which has too few
> controls and features and can't configured later on if it gets necessary
> .
>
Like the other replies say - a reasonable router is generally good
enough if you're on a budget!
I also use a Netgear but in my case a WGU624 plus the ISP bundled
software firewall.
Between them I have survived thus far!

Re: Seek hardware firewall for home user

On Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:21:48 +0100, John D wrote:

>Can someone advise me. What are some recommended models of hardware
>firewall? Here are some details.
>
>I'm in the UK and am running WinXP Pro/SP2 on a home-office PC. The PC
>connects directly to a cable modem (Virgin Media) and then to the
>Internet. I don't share my connection with anyone else. Printer and
>scanner are attached direct to the PC via USB.
>
>I use a software firewall by Sygate and am told that I am much better
>protected by a hardware firewall.
>
>I may (30% to 40% chance) attach a second PC later. later on I might
>(about 15% to 20% chance) attach visiting laptops via wireless.
>
>Am reasonably technical but not very familiar with data comms and
>security. I wouldn't want to learn a lot about this just to run the
>hardware firewall so something fairly straighforward to set up, to use,
>and to update is good.
>
>-------
>
>What sort of hardware firewall should I get?
>
>What recommended models? I'm on quite a tight budget and anything over
>£100 is definitely out! Ideally I would spend a lot less than that.
>
>On the otherhand I don't want something so cheap that which has too few
>controls and features and can't configured later on if it gets necessary

What does your cable modem include? Some may have this already built
in. If it doesn't and your cable model has an ethernet port you could
just plug in a firewall/router.

Failing that you could just replace your modem with a combined
modem/router/firewall. Just search for "cable router".

M

Re: Seek hardware firewall for home user

Mark wrote:

[...]
>
> Failing that you could just replace your modem with a combined
> modem/router/firewall. Just search for "cable router".
>
> M

I didn't think you could do that with a Virgin Media cable connection?

The OP would need to retain his supplied modem, and add a router. This could
be wireless or not.

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.

Re: Seek hardware firewall for home user

"John D" wrote in message
news:Xns99C6921CC751017E53A@127.0.0.1...
> Can someone advise me. What are some recommended models of hardware
> firewall? Here are some details.
>
> I'm in the UK and am running WinXP Pro/SP2 on a home-office PC. The PC
> connects directly to a cable modem (Virgin Media) and then to the
> Internet. I don't share my connection with anyone else. Printer and
> scanner are attached direct to the PC via USB.
>
> I use a software firewall by Sygate and am told that I am much better
> protected by a hardware firewall.
>
> I may (30% to 40% chance) attach a second PC later. later on I might
> (about 15% to 20% chance) attach visiting laptops via wireless.
>
> Am reasonably technical but not very familiar with data comms and
> security. I wouldn't want to learn a lot about this just to run the
> hardware firewall so something fairly straighforward to set up, to use,
> and to update is good.
>
> -------
>
> What sort of hardware firewall should I get?
>
> What recommended models? I'm on quite a tight budget and anything over
> £100 is definitely out! Ideally I would spend a lot less than that.
>
> On the otherhand I don't want something so cheap that which has too few
> controls and features and can't configured later on if it gets necessary
> .

John,

I'm running a LinkSys wireless router (WRT54GS) in my office which lists for
around $79USD that should work nicely for you. It will be your gateway to
the internet, allows for both wired (4 ports) and wireless.

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&chil dpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1148435315453&pagename=Linksys%2FC ommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=1545339789B02

or

http://tinyurl.com/ysvcaq

There certainly other manufactures that also use NAT as the firewall with
the premise being, if they can't see you, they won't bother you. The router
has a number of other options to help keep the bad guy's from gaining
access. The WRT54GS has been around for awhile. I have a version 2 model
while they are now at version 7. I have installed these at a clients site
and although we had one router fail (thermal issue), no other problems and
they have been rock solid.

Bob S.

Re: Seek hardware firewall for home user

On Oct 11, 2:21 pm, John D wrote:
> Can someone advise me. What are some recommended models of hardware
> firewall? Here are some details.
>
> I'm in the UK and am running WinXP Pro/SP2 on a home-office PC. The PC
> connects directly to a cable modem (Virgin Media) and then to the
> Internet. I don't share my connection with anyone else. Printer and
> scanner are attached direct to the PC via USB.
>
> I use a software firewall by Sygate and am told that I am much better
> protected by a hardware firewall.
>
> I may (30% to 40% chance) attach a second PC later. later on I might
> (about 15% to 20% chance) attach visiting laptops via wireless.
>
> Am reasonably technical but not very familiar with data comms and
> security. I wouldn't want to learn a lot about this just to run the
> hardware firewall so something fairly straighforward to set up, to use,
> and to update is good.
>
> -------
>
> What sort of hardware firewall should I get?
>
> What recommended models? I'm on quite a tight budget and anything over
> =A3100 is definitely out! Ideally I would spend a lot less than that.
>
> On the otherhand I don't want something so cheap that which has too few
> controls and features and can't configured later on if it gets necessary
> .

I'd definately recommend www.smoothwall.org - mine runs sweet as a nut
in my cupboard on a p2-200Mhz with 128ram and 4gig HD. lovely!

Re: Seek hardware firewall for home user

Steve Williamson wrote:

> I'd definately recommend www.smoothwall.org - mine runs sweet as a nut
> in my cupboard on a p2-200Mhz with 128ram and 4gig HD. lovely!

How does 'Smoothwall' compare with a 'Bering Leaf' firewall/router
(using iptables setup with Shorewall)? Isn't 128Meg and 4Gig a bit of
overkill - 'Bering Leaf' will run with 16Meg off a floppy (though I'm
running mine off a CF card)

Jim Ford

Re: Seek hardware firewall for home user

On Sat, 13 Oct 2007 20:21:49 GMT, Jim Ford
wrote:

>Steve Williamson wrote:
>
>> I'd definately recommend www.smoothwall.org - mine runs sweet as a nut
>> in my cupboard on a p2-200Mhz with 128ram and 4gig HD. lovely!
>
>How does 'Smoothwall' compare with a 'Bering Leaf' firewall/router
>(using iptables setup with Shorewall)? Isn't 128Meg and 4Gig a bit of
>overkill - 'Bering Leaf' will run with 16Meg off a floppy (though I'm
>running mine off a CF card)

Smoothwall/IPCop (very similar) will run on a 16meg 486, but does like
a 40meg or so hard drive if you need logs. It's about a 10meg install,
and a full web interface.

Hunting through the spare kitbits at the moment, if I wanted to build
one it'd end up being at least a P3-750 with 128meg and a 60gig HD.

Instead I use my Netgear DG834PN router.

Cheers - Jaimie
--
"I did not attend his funeral, but I wrote a nice letter saying
I approved of it." - Mark Twain