Opinions on Linksys router

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Archived from groups: comp.security.firewalls (More info?)

Hi, I’m thinking of getting a second hand linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL
Router with 4-Port Switch BEFSR41. What are people’s opinions about it?
I plan to use it at home with my cable modem and our small network.
Is it easy to configure? Can I set and forget and come back latter and
configure it a bit more? I really want to add a little more security to
my network at home, will this be able to do this and what about the NAT?
I have heard it’s not a true firewall as such but will it still offer
me added protection with what I currently have (Sygate personal firewall
5.5) Thanks for your time.
 
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Archived from groups: comp.security.firewalls (More info?)

"BW~Merlin" <s4076794@student.uq.edu.au> wrote in message
news:cainu9$qlr$1@bunyip.cc.uq.edu.au...
> Hi, I’m thinking of getting a second hand linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL
> Router with 4-Port Switch BEFSR41. What are people’s opinions about it?
> I plan to use it at home with my cable modem and our small network.

It's the way to go to protect the home network.

> Is it easy to configure? Can I set and forget and come back latter and
> configure it a bit more? I really want to add a little more security to
> my network at home, will this be able to do this and what about the NAT?

Yes, Yes, and Yes. What about NAT?

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/explain/about-NAT.asp

> I have heard it’s not a true firewall as such but will it still offer
> me added protection with what I currently have (Sygate personal firewall
> 5.5) Thanks for your time.

No it's not a real FW appliance but it's good enough to protect the average
home network.

The link explains what a FW does.

http://www.firewall-software.com/firewall_faqs/what_does_firewall_do.html

You should install Wallwatcher (free) to review the router's logs.

Duane :)
 
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BW~Merlin <s4076794@student.uq.edu.au> wrote in news:cainu9$qlr$1
@bunyip.cc.uq.edu.au:

> Hi, I’m thinking of getting a second hand linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL
> Router with 4-Port Switch BEFSR41. What are people’s opinions about it?
> I plan to use it at home with my cable modem and our small network.
> Is it easy to configure? Can I set and forget and come back latter and
> configure it a bit more? I really want to add a little more security to
> my network at home, will this be able to do this and what about the NAT?
> I have heard it’s not a true firewall as such but will it still offer
> me added protection with what I currently have (Sygate personal firewall
> 5.5) Thanks for your time.

I prefer my BEFSX41 that does have basic firewall components, but the
BEFSR41 should serve you fine IF YOU INSTALL THE LATEST FIRMWARE that takes
care of a recently reported flaw where people could access the router setup
over the Internet.

--
Tom McCune
My PGP Page & FAQ: http://www.McCune.cc/PGP.htm
 
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Archived from groups: comp.security.firewalls (More info?)

In article <CQ5zc.337313$M3.106369@twister.nyroc.rr.com>,
news@DELETE_THISmccune.cc says...
> BW~Merlin <s4076794@student.uq.edu.au> wrote in news:cainu9$qlr$1
> @bunyip.cc.uq.edu.au:
>
> > Hi, I=3Fm thinking of getting a second hand linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL
> > Router with 4-Port Switch BEFSR41. What are people=3Fs opinions about it?
> > I plan to use it at home with my cable modem and our small network.
> > Is it easy to configure? Can I set and forget and come back latter and
> > configure it a bit more? I really want to add a little more security to
> > my network at home, will this be able to do this and what about the NAT?
> > I have heard it=3Fs not a true firewall as such but will it still offer
> > me added protection with what I currently have (Sygate personal firewall
> > 5.5) Thanks for your time.
>
> I prefer my BEFSX41 that does have basic firewall components, but the
> BEFSR41 should serve you fine IF YOU INSTALL THE LATEST FIRMWARE that takes
> care of a recently reported flaw where people could access the router setup
> over the Internet.

The BEFSR41 is a bottom end line, the BEFSX41 is the better choice. The
flaw mentioned only effects the BEFSR41 rev 3 (not rev 2 or 1) and one
of the wireless units. As I read it earlier it does not effect ALL
units.

The idea of the BEFSX is that it also provides restrictions for Active-X
and some blocking that the simple router does not provide.

Now, for real-world issues - none. We've got MANY of the BEFSR41 units
in the field, and people running Windows Update daily, and Norton AV
2003 or 2004 with the router have not suffered ANY problems due to
viruses, trojans, worms, intrusions in the last 5 years.

--
--
spamfree999@rrohio.com
(Remove 999 to reply to me)