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Best Hardware Firewall? Must be EASY to configure

G

ghoti

Member
I want to buy a hardware firewall for under $150 (US).

It must be EASY to configure. I want to avoid configuration problems with the firewall. I am running Norton Inernet Security now, and I have a heckuva time configuring the firewall rules because some of the time I cannot tell which applications I should be allowing to access internet, which are optional (but best NOT allowed, e.g., MSN Messenger), and which are worms, or otherwise detrimental/ dangerous!

I would ge glad if the firewall came with a DSL/ Cable router, but that is secondary to the need for a hardware firewall.

Suggestions, please?

Thanks!
 
You could setup an old Pentium system to run Smoothwall or IPCop. I run Smoothwall at my home and it is great. Very easy to configure, and has more features than a normal home internet router. This can totally replace your router, since it provides DHCP service as well. Wireless is currently not available though, but IPCop is working on it.

www.smoothwall.org

www.ipcop.org
 
Thanks Cheetah.

I went to the web site -- looks interesting; I was completely unaware of this option.

Unfortunately, I don't have the old computer to devote to this task -- I already promised it to my nephew!

🙂
 
Check around ebay. Go into the networking section within the computers section. Then check under the 'servers' subcatagory. There are often times some great finds. I saw some dual 233 Pentiums for $10 + 75 shipping. Still under your $150 limit and would let you do firewall and even file sharing and stuff if you wanted.
-doug
 
Norton Inernet security doesn't have a good reputation, there are better software firewalls.

And if tihs is for your home use, just get a linksys or similar low cost router for $50 or less.
 
Unfortunately, I don't have the old computer to devote to this task
Click to expand...

You don't have an old computer?? Just ask your relatives, neighbors, friends, coworkers, everybody you can think of, and see if someone has an old crappy computer they don't need anymore. Plenty of people run their firewalls on a 486... You must be able to find something. Or if you really want, I have a P3-550 rig I've been looking to sell that would work great. PM me if you are interested.
 
A P3-550 is overkill. Go to ebay and get a cheap computer that way. Under their servers section they always have dirt cheap boxes. A P3-550 could run a Cstrike server (as I used to run a Cstrike server on a P3-550). For what you want to do you could get away with far less.
-doug
 
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