Scope of this document
Far too many of us are content with plugging in a router (gateway device) and assuming that our network is now secure. This primer is designed as a comprehensive guide to explain the settings on your router and to provide a recommended course of action for creating a secure LAN.
Why a router?
This device was usually considered the optional piece to the home LAN. This marvel of technology not only facilitates an efficient way to split one connection to the ISP to multiple computers without the need for software solutions, but also provides for a number of key functions, most notably providing hardware firewall security. With the rise in popularity of wireless networks, routers have evolved to include a wireless AP (Access Point).
Do I need a router?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, it is highly recommended that you use a router:
- Do you have a wired or wireless LAN with one or more computers connecting to a WAN or the Internet?
- Do you have a non dial-up connection to the internet?
If you have a single computer dialing into an ISP to connect to the internet, you likely do not require a router for a firewall; however it is highly recommended that you use a software solution as your firewall. Windows XP provides a software firewall that can be used efficiently. With the release of Service Pack 2, the firewall has undergone a number of improvements that make it a good choice. Some antivirus offerings (like Norton and PC-Cillin) have evolved into internet security suites providing adequate firewalls. If you want a dedicated software firewall, ZoneAlarm, Kerio Personal Firewall or Sygate Personal firewall provide adequate protection.
Does a router provide perfect security?
Using a computer behind a router is definitely a step up in securing a network or a computer, but it does not provide perfect security. Let’s face it, there is no perfect security; as with the ying-yang of our species’ creative and destructive tendencies, perfect network security is a myth that no good system administrator will believe in. There are various levels of security, and a router’s firewall is one that will provide adequate security at a reasonable price. The firewall forms a restrictive barrier for incoming traffic; unfortunately there are many kinds of threats out there that cannot be completely blocked out by a firewall. It is highly recommend that you complement the router with a good, updated real-time scanning antivirus program. A router’s firewall also has a limitation on monitoring and restricting only incoming connections; if your computer has already been infected with a rogue code (virus, Trojan or spyware), and is sending out information that you’d rather keep to yourself, the router will do nothing to stop this flow. A software firewall, however will likely point out when a specific program tries to send out information.
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