advantages/disadvantages of several firewall methods

[glenn1]

Hi all.... since i'm running DSL broadband now, i'm starting to take my computer security a lot more seriously. I know that setting up a firewall configuration is considered a pretty reasonble safety precaution to take, but i'm wondering what the best method to use would be (ease of use, and effectiveness). I'm pretty sure the main methods are: software solutions, using a router, or setting up a (low-end) computer to be a server to your main rig. Could someone tell me what the advantages and disadvantages would be for each? I'm just a simple home user, probably not a high-risk candidate for hax0rs, but if i'm going to do it, might as well do it right.... could anyone help me out in explaining it to me?

 

[Vegito]

Just get a router, it's easy, you can share it and it's hardware firewall.
Advantage is that you dont need a dedicated machine and won't take power away from you.

If you use a machine, you'll need a monitor, keyboard, etc.etc to keep it running, plus when the hd crash, since you'll probably use a low end 486 with a 1gig hd, you'll need to replace parts, etc.. and a router wont take up much room.

When you reboot, it takes a few sec for a router, it'll take you 5 min on a desktop as a router.