noob question

[MDme]

I recently installed a belkin 54G wireless router. The manual said that it supported SPI/NAT firewall technologies. I want to know if I'm "protected".

Here is what I set up:
1) I'm connecting to it via a wireless USB adapter. I think my nvidia firewall is not pretecting this port since it only protects the nvidia ethernet interface. I do have windows firewall on though I know it is very primitive. I have WPA-PSK on to protect my network and my SSID is not broadcasted.

2) I "activated" the firewall on the belkin.

3) I think the "virtual server section" on the belkin is the NAT part of the firewall. I haven't really set up any port forwards yet. But I know it is on. are any of my ports actually open??? I went to shields up and it said all my ports are stealthed. (sometimes port 113 is not)

4) WAN ping blocking is enabled (does not respond to a wan ping)

Summary of questions:
Am I protected?
How does NAT protect me?
How does the SPI part work?

You can just link an article I can read so I can learn too.

Sorry I'm just a noob

 

[multiband8303]

NAT basically "masks" your local IP address from a global list. Example your WAN (global) IP address is probally 10.x.x.x however after NATTING it will assign it a local IP address of 192.x.x.x - esentially masking it from anyone who is not physically connected on the same local connection as yours. This is what makes the hardware firewall really work its magic, by default (especially the 54G) your hardware firewall is on -0 so no worries. If your very concerned - download an application layer based firewall such as Zonealarm and you will be fine.

 

[networkman]

Edit: See JackMDS's post below. Now I've learned something about links too.

 

[c3p0]

networkman, your link take me to Paypal.com.......not sure they can help much.

c3p0
:beer:

 

[JackMDS]

This Short QA might help in clarifying the issue: http://www.ezlan.net/faq#secure

:sun:

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: c3p0
networkman, your link take me to Paypal.com.......not sure they can help much.

c3p0
:beer:

When you log to the security page of GRC it assigns a one time security number to your connection. This security number cannot be use as a link for someone else.

Instead- Log here http://grc.com/default.htm scroll down to the Hot Spots section, and click on Shields Up.

:sun: