Is a modem/router the answer to all our internet problems ?

A friend has told me that he uses a modem /router for his internet connection and assures me that all the internet nasties cannot get through it to infect his computer and that he has never had a problem ,I find this hard to believe because if this was all that was needed to protect our PCs on the internet surely we would all be using them.
Any comments would be welcome.

 

Hello alboy,

No, it's not the magic bullet, firewalls are half the equation. The other half is the browser and that organ between the ears. The overwhelming entry point for malware is not the firewall, hard or soft, but the browser.

Regards - Charles

 

And clicking on links in E-MAIL

If you are not sure where the mail came from DO NOT OPEN IT Or at least do not click on any links. I made one MISTAKE and hope I never do again.

Also watch the addresses at the top to see if it has been mass forwarded from someone else.

I find a lot of e-mail that has been apparently MASS mailed ( forwarded ) with a lot of addresses after the CC: With me they all begin with the 1st letter of my e-mail address.

I myself use MailWasher to check the mail first. And if I am not sure it is BYE-BYE right off of ther ISP server.

I have tired bouncing some of it. BELIEVE ME that WAS NOT the thing to do.

BillyBob

 

Ditto on the above posts - good advice. And at the same time your friend is "kind of" on the right track in that a router will hide most open ports from port scanning tools used by the "less than ethical community" out there looking for an easy mark. Now, if you want to go the extra step and buy a router with a hardware firewall, your friend goes from "kinda of" right to 100% correct, bearing in mind what Charlesvar and BillyBob have just told you. Biggest threat to any machine is the device between the chair and the keyboard.

 

I will add this to my reply. And if I am wrong Please correct or modify. As this is NO PLACE to pass bad info.

Something that A LOT users may not realize. And I have had strong arguments with FAMILY members. One of them found out THE HARD way.

When you click on a link in E-Mail IT DOES open the Browser.

You have then opened the door WIDE for trouble.

BillyBob

 

buy a router with a hardware firewall, your friend goes from "kinda of" right to 100%

Many thanks for all replies but what is a "hardware " firewall, I use ZoneAlarm Pro which is software ?

 

Hi alboy,

Yes, ZAP is software while the router that has a firewall function is called a hardware firewall. Sort of a misnomer, that also is a type of software called Firmware.

Regards - Charles

 

Many thanks charlesvar for the info ,
Surely you would also need to be running an anti-virus app as well to fully protect your pc and what about spyware / malware how does a modem / router protect against those threats ?

 

Hi alboy,

Surely you would also need to be running an anti-virus app as well to fully protect your pc and what about spyware / malware
Certainly.

and what about spyware / malware how does a modem / router protect against those threats ?
A firewall hard or soft doesn't.

Basically, a firewall blocks unsolicited packets, as soon as you use the browser, you're "soliciting ".

You're using ZAP, those add-on functions that it has, control of cookies, blocking adverts, blocking pop-ups, blocking scripts of varying kinds, the rule making option, all those are not strictly firewall functions, but a hardening of the browser.

Regards - Charles

 

Many thanks charlesvar, you have confirmed my own thoughts about the protection offered by just relying on a modem/router for protection, and i have already told my friend he is probably living on borrowed time.

regards to all Alboy