home hardware firewall?

[rockyct]

My parents have four computer on the network at home and I'm tired of having to make sure the software firewalls on each computer are working whenever I visit. I'll be setting up a windows home server for them with avast AV that can keep the av software updated on all the computers, so AV is taking care of.

I don't really trust the combination of the router firewall and the built in windows firewall, but if you guys say that this is ok, I'll just do this instead. However, if this is not an acceptable solution, is there a hardware firewall that isn't too expensive but works pretty well in the home environment? Thanks.

 

[Emulex]

linksys router comes to mind?

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

The router firewall is good enough. I think.

 

[mc866]

If you are worried about bugs on the PC's make sure everyone is running limited user accounts, that should significantly reduce the number of issues also.

 

[Modelworks]

You are using NAT when you use a router so that is a good first level of protection, add in the firewall in the router and unless they are doing something like downloading spyware all the time, you are probably fine.

I did a test a year ago where I set up a pc with a direct IP connection to the internet, no firewall, not nat. Let it run for over 3 months, not a single problem with any attacks, or intruders. The important thing was the pc had all ports closed so nothing to connect to. Firewall and AV are important but it isn't the panic , everyone is out to get into your pc world that software sellers would like you to believe.

 

[rockyct]

Great. Thanks. They actually are very good about keeping their computers clean. My mom has a 4.5 year old Dell laptop that still runs almost as good as the day she got it. The ethernet port got borked on it (under in home warranty) and the repair guy couldn't believe in how great it's condition was in considering she uses it everyday and it had never been reformatted. My Dad used to install programs like Weather Bug (freeware with spyware) but a firewall's not going to stop that.

 

[rockyct]

Originally posted by: Emulex
linksys router comes to mind?

They actually have a consumer grade linksys router currently and I changed the admin account password.

 

[JackMDS]

If they are on Win XP you need to install a 3rd party Software Firewall too.

Here why, http://www.ezlan.net/firewall.html

This is a good free Firewall for XP/Vista/Win7, http://www.ezlan.net/firewall.html

 

[rockyct]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
If they are on Win XP you need to install a 3rd party Software Firewall too.

Here why, http://www.ezlan.net/firewall.html

This is a good free Firewall for XP/Vista/Win7, http://www.ezlan.net/firewall.html

It's the same link BTW.

I'd rather not keep a software firewall on their computers because it's almost impossible for me to keep them working when I'm gone. I've been using some free ones and even just renewing the free license is very hard for them. Unless the software firewall is almost invisible and never needs to be renewed, I'd rather just go with a real hardware firewall. With Avast Windows Home Server edition anti virus/spyware it makes sure the software is up to date on the client PCs. That will keep most of the bad outbound traffic down because it will catch trojans/spyware. ( http://www.avast.com/eng/avast...me-server-edition.html )

They basically have too many computers for me to keep the software updated on all of them. So, if they do need more protection than windows firewall and the router firewall, I need to get them a consumer grade hardware firewall.

 

[JackMDS]

I am sorry about the link.

Unlike AV and Anti-Malware programs, Software Firewalls do not need signature updates.

PCTools software does not have to be renewed there is an Auto Update but you can shut it off, the update is just for New version so it is not relevant for None-Geeks.

In addition, it can be set to invisible mode allowing regular known program to pass through Automatically.

Router's NAT Firewall blocks "Knocking on the door" but otherwise it does nothing for real protection inside the Network.

The correct link is, http://www.pctools.com/firewall/download/

 

[rockyct]

Ok, now that one actually sounds pretty good. I'll give that one a try and see if they can handle that.

 

[melchoir]

For a home user that doesn't need a truly complicated setup, I'd recommend a Fortinet Fortigate unit. (Fortigate 60B).