How much protection do routers provide?

[Craig234]

I've heard somewhere that routers block some attacks on PC's.

Now, it's clear that they don't potect from something like going to a website and downloading a virus, but apparently they provide some protection from some attacks.

Can anyone answer what they protect from, and what if any protection software is unnecessary if you use a router?

I've got a new PC set up on a router and am considering what protection to put on it.

 

[imagoon]

Basic every day routers prevent general probing and direct access to the machines. NAT only allows connections that were out bound to come back in. Typically that is the normal level of protection which isn't much. Some do basic SPI but results vary from there.

 

[spidey07]

Basic every day routers prevent general probing and direct access to the machines. NAT only allows connections that were out bound to come back in. Typically that is the normal level of protection which isn't much. Some do basic SPI but results vary from there.

Right. It's actually pretty decent protection because it totally stops anybody from connecting directly to your machine. It doesn't stop bots on PCs going out to get instructions however, but it does what it intends to do.

 

[JackMDS]

These days putting a Computer directly on the Internet (i.ie., connected directly to a bridge modem), qualifies as Major Stupidity.

That Said, beside a Router there is a need for Software Firewall Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware.

No need to spend money.

This Anti-Virus, and AntiSpyware combo is Free and very good.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

Vista and Win & native software Firewall are two way firewall and are very good too. However it is hard to control them. If One feels that he needs control over the software Firewall, this is a very Good free alternative.

http://www.pctools.com/firewall/download/

P.S. The above software is not only free, it also Light and does not Stifle the Network/Internet traffic the way the Behemoth Security Suit do.


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[Red Squirrel]

Actually I've always wondered, is there ways to "Crack" through a NAT? Or is it pretty much 100% secure as far as preventing outside traffic from coming in, directly? Assuming no port forwarding is turned on, and no management port is open to the outside, and the inside network is clean of any malware that could potentially change settings or call home.

 

[spidey07]

Actually I've always wondered, is there ways to "Crack" through a NAT? Or is it pretty much 100% secure as far as preventing outside traffic from coming in, directly? Assuming no port forwarding is turned on, and no management port is open to the outside, and the inside network is clean of any malware that could potentially change settings or call home.

Yes. But it's extremely difficult to do. This is where stateful inspection comes into play and prevents it.

 

[NesuD]

These days putting a Computer directly on the Internet (i.ie., connected directly to a bridge modem), qualifies as Major Stupidity.

That Said, beside a Router there is a need for Software Firewall Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware.

No need to spend money.

This Anti-Virus, and AntiSpyware combo is Free and very good.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx

Vista and Win & native software Firewall are two way firewall and are very good too. However it is hard to control them. If One feels that he needs control over the software Firewall, this is a very Good free alternative.

http://www.pctools.com/firewall/download/

P.S. The above software is not only free, it also Light and does not Stifle the Network/Internet traffic the way the Behemoth Security Suit do.


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This^ Once again Jack is dead on. Go with this advice and you will be as secure as is reasonable in your scenario.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Yes. But it's extremely difficult to do. This is where stateful inspection comes into play and prevents it.

ohhh, the fun I could have if I had time. I've always wanted to be an ethical hacker.

 

[joeybaker]

There is no such thing as perfect security. Since pretty much everyone expects a router to get in the way, it's now baseline.

Yes, routers provide security. No, it's not anything special, and you shouldn't consider yourself secure just because you have a router.

 

[JackMDS]

Ice cream is a Good tasty food.

Does it means that I should drop any thing else and only eat Ice cream.

Actually No. While ice cream is a good tasty food, eating only Ice Cream would make One Very Sick.



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