Router with good firewall?

Hi.

I am looking to replace my Linksys Wireless access point router (BEFW11S4) with 54mbps or 108mbps equipment.
What I am looking for most in my new equipment is a good firewall so I stop running software ones.

Has anyone got any good recommendations?

many thanks

Spotta

 

My recommendation is to keep the software firewall. You can specify what programs are allowed internet access with it, but not a hardware firewall. If you're not happy with the s/w firewall you currently have, try another.

 

Dave - not using one yet but AFAIK, the hardware firewalls in routers these days can be configured as easily as the software ones.

Somebody jump on me if I'm wrong though.

 

Ok, foot in mouth maybe. Just checked my router. It is configurable to block services, with a list of some such as AIM, Age of Empire, FTP, HTTP, ICUII, Quake, Real Audio, Telnet, and also user defined, for which you must input a protocol, starting port and ending port, then define which users to apply it to by IP address. If services translates to programs, I assume I could add any or all of the 85 programs that my s/w firewall is currently set to allow or block, with just a mouse click or two, to the list in my router, but I wonder if I can deny one access this time but not the next, with just a click or two. Since I haven't set the router up to block any, I'm unsure if I will be prompted to allow a normally blocked program when it tries to gain access. My s/w firewall lets me to set it to allow, prompt or deny, and that is handy for me. I wouldn't want to access my router settings eveytime I wanted to allow something.

So I guess my statement

may have been inaccurate. My s/w firewall was installed, setup and blocking or allowing programs from a popup in minutes. The router setup would take a considerable amount of time. And I have more detailed information from my s/w firewall on each item that does access the net, than what I see in my router logs. I assume the same could be said for blocked items.
Either way, a second firewall can't hurt. Just a while ago, my s/w firewall blocked two incoming requests from an unknown IP (but will be) on UDP protocol, while there is nothing in the routers log and GRC reports all ports stealthed.

 

So does mine (Norton) and I also would not like having to access the router controls to block things, but the 3 PCs in the house seem to be getting slower and slower, and I quite often have other PCs hooked up to the network for fixing or playing Medal of Honour! and if hardware firewalls have progressed to a point where the offer the ease of use as Norton, it would be great to have one in the router.

If this is not the case then I will take your advice and keep running software ones.

many thanks

Spotta

 

What exactly is getting slower? Internet access? Network communications? Web page loading? Individual PC performance?

 

Individual PC speed
The never the firewall and antivirus, the more software etc, the slower the PC.

As I am upgrading the router, if I could get a decent easy to set up incoming and outgoing hardware firewall built in - I'd buy it in a shot!!

Someone Make One!!!!

Spotta

 

Alot of installed programs automatically add themselves to the startup group unnecessarily, creating programs running in the background not being used but using resources. Check your startup tab in msconfig and disable things you don't really need just to log on. Don't know what type of A/V you're using, but some tend to hog resources also. There are many other things you can do to speed system performance but vary with different OS. Might want to search the forums for various keywords related to system slowdown (cleanup) for tips. If you don't find anything helpful, start a thread in the appropriate forum for your OS's and someone will help you out. If any of your OS's are XP, you could start with Black Vipers Site and shutting down unnecessary services.

 

Should also have pointed out that my s/w firewall automatically denies all internet access, in and out, after installing and prompts to allow various programs. The router automatically allows all outgoing traffic and must be configured to block. BTW, may or may not make a difference, my router is only 6 mos. old.

 

noahdfear "If any of your OS's are XP, you could start with Black Vipers Site and shutting down unnecessary services. "

This Black Vipers is great link. Thanks.

Noahdfear how do I shut down these services?

How do I change from manual to automatic or to disable?

 

El Camino,

The answers to ALL of your questions about following his recommendations are on his site. I know it takes a good amount of time to get through all of it, but I would prefer you learn it from there. You will have a much better understanding of what you are doing and why. If you get stuck on something in particular, or have questions about something that his site doesn't cover, by all means post back. I or someone will gladly assist you all we can.

 

El Camino,

Another good supplemental site for better understandings of "running tasks" (which may or may not be called via services) is Answers that Work and click on "Task List" option.

 

Thanks for all the help but only services I need are running on my XP. everything I don't need is disabled.

I think my slowness is more due to my 1000mhz duron on an otherwise fast system.
due to be changed very soon

Looks like I'll be keeping my software firewall for a bit longer!

Spotta

 

I wish to thank both Noahdfear and Dennis L for their input.

 

My pleasure, El Camino. Hope it helped!

 

Your very welcome El Camino.

 

In the document for services.msc, by blackviper, (link given above), in the section Windows Time it says: "You may choose to set your clock manually on a dial up connection, but with a 24/7 broadband setup, this could keep you on time for work. Note: as mentioned, "time.windows.com" is the default server for synchronization. For those privacy conscious people that prefer to connect to a government site rather then MS, use "time.nist.gov. "

How do I set this up? I can't find this "time.nist.gov "

 

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