Router filters...worried about conflicts

[MichaelD]

**I had originally posted this in General Hardware, but got no takers...if NE1 could help me out, I'd appreciate it**


I wasn't really sure which forum this should go in; my apologies if this is the wrong one.

I am a networking/router newbie. I'm trying to get smarter on my router's capabilities. I've been reading the documentation that came w/it. Some of it "I get" but a lot of it is way over my head.

It's Netgear RT314. It comes from the factory w/several very cool pre-defined filter sets that prevent anyone from Telneting into the router from an outside IP and things of that nature. Up till now, I always power-off the PC when I'm not home as a precaution because I know the router isn't as "locked up tight" as it could be. I want to make it so.

Of course, the router does let you set additional filters and the like. I've done that, but haven't set them active yet because I'm afraid of my new filters conflicting with the existing filter on there already. Is this just a fear from ignorance that has no basis? Can filters conflict? Iv'e no idea. If you guys could smarten-me-up, I'd appreciate it. Thanks very much.

Router-Wrangler Mike

 

[Zach]

I wouldn't think they'd conflict, unless one is alowing and the other disallowing.. then it'd get interesting.

 

[MichaelD]

Yeah! A reply! Thanks Zach. No, the rules aren't conflicting each other. I don't know how each rule does it's thing, but by looking at it (the instruction manual helps! ) I can tell what it does.

Basically, I want to score a 100% secure on the DSL reports and ZoneAlert port scans. I'd like to leave my PC up 24/7, but don't want to have to worry about when I'm not home, which is like 16hours/day. I get home from the second job, eat, surf and game in about 3 hours and go to sleep.

Thanks again.

 

[Wintal]

MichaelD, you might want to try the forums at DSL reports. Heres the Netgear forum.

Your router *shouldn't* conflict with its filter sets, but I cant guarantee it. The router runs its own OS, which is subject to its own bugs and/or features. Never played with a Netgear, sorry.

Good luck!

 

[vash]

The default filters in the RT314 are ok -- they will block basic things, but you can still be subject to different types of attacks.

Get onto the dslreports.com's forums for the Netgear/Zyxel routers. Find DrTCP's filters, install them and be merry.

vash

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks very much, everyone. I have already installed the newly-created filters I mentioned. No conflicts and no decrease in DL speed. Yahoo! I'm going to check out those Dr. Filters though. Later.

 

[MichaelD]

Wow! I went to DSLReports Forums (link provided by Wintal) Man, for routing/filter/networking questions, that forum is DaBomb! They even have exact screen shots of my menu and what it should look like. I must pat myself on the back; I entered the filters exactly as shown, and I'm invisible...at least I hope! Thanks guys.