Is a Linksys router considered a firewall? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

BentNotTwisted · 08-05-2003, 06:41 AM

I have broadband cable internet access. To allow multiple PCs access I bought and installed a Linksys 4 port switch. I have left the Linksys with the factory default settings for security, except the admin password. With it's current setup can this router be considered a firewall? As a precaution I have also installed Zone Alarm on my PC. Is Zone alarm overkill?

hrdwareguy · 08-05-2003, 06:58 AM

You can consider your router a type of firewall. It will block all packets, that have not been requested, that try and gain access to your network.

I would not consider Zone alarm overkill because it will stop applications from accessing the internet from your PC without permission.

rocinante2003 · 08-05-2003, 08:05 AM

I have used Zone alarm with my linksys router before. If you have newer firmware, or have purchased the router within say the last year, the linksys router will partner/talk with zonealarm.

MontanaXVI · 08-05-2003, 08:16 AM

firewalls pretty much stop everything from connecting, while the router serves the purpose to block incoming, so my suggestion would to be use both.

JBX · 08-05-2003, 08:24 AM

Yes it is and according to TechTV, It's a real good one.

BentNotTwisted · 08-05-2003, 01:14 PM

Excellent, thank you.

mortius · 08-05-2003, 01:30 PM

Make sure you update the firmware on the router. Linksys are well known for fixing the bugs within there software.

L33tFck3r · 08-05-2003, 01:52 PM

The linksys routers are not firewalls persay. They only do something call NAT, or Network Address Translation. It is basically the simplest form of a firewall. If you are worried about security, use both the linksys router and zonealarm as the user above stated.

Pragma · 08-05-2003, 02:35 PM

Technically, it's not a firewall. It does Network Address Translation to route connections from the external IP address to various internal connections. As such, only connections you configure can be initiated on the outside (ie: you tell it that you're running a webserver on machine X, so forward traffic for X on port 80 to it).

True firewalls do so much more than simply "block all packets unless specified otherwise", they do stateful packet inspection, etc. NAT is a poor-man's firewall, I suppose.

Running ZoneAlarm or any other software firewall is an excellent idea, even with the NAT solution.

08-05-2003, 06:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
BentNotTwisted Optimistic Skeptic Location: Midway between a Beehive and Centennial	Is a Linksys router considered a firewall? I have broadband cable internet access. To allow multiple PCs access I bought and installed a Linksys 4 port switch. I have left the Linksys with the factory default settings for security, except the admin password. With it's current setup can this router be considered a firewall? As a precaution I have also installed Zone Alarm on my PC. Is Zone alarm overkill? __________________ IS THAT IT ???!!! Do you even know what 'it' is? When the last man dies for just words that he said... We Shall Be Free

08-05-2003, 06:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
hrdwareguy "Officer, I was in fear for my life" Location: Oklahoma City	You can consider your router a type of firewall. It will block all packets, that have not been requested, that try and gain access to your network. I would not consider Zone alarm overkill because it will stop applications from accessing the internet from your PC without permission. __________________ Gun Control is hitting what you aim at Aim for the TFP, Donate Today

08-05-2003, 08:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
MontanaXVI Junkie Location: Go A's!!!!	firewalls pretty much stop everything from connecting, while the router serves the purpose to block incoming, so my suggestion would to be use both. __________________ Spank you very much

08-05-2003, 08:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
JBX Unfair and Imbalanced Location: Upstate, NY	Yes it is and according to TechTV, It's a real good one. __________________ "Youth and Strength is no match for Age and Treachery"

08-05-2003, 01:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
BentNotTwisted Optimistic Skeptic Location: Midway between a Beehive and Centennial	Excellent, thank you. __________________ IS THAT IT ???!!! Do you even know what 'it' is? When the last man dies for just words that he said... We Shall Be Free

08-05-2003, 08:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
rocinante2003 Insane Location: Dallas	I have used Zone alarm with my linksys router before. If you have newer firmware, or have purchased the router within say the last year, the linksys router will partner/talk with zonealarm.

08-05-2003, 01:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
mortius Tilted Location: Houston, Tx	Make sure you update the firmware on the router. Linksys are well known for fixing the bugs within there software. __________________ What's Your Addiction?

08-05-2003, 01:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
L33tFck3r Upright	The linksys routers are not firewalls persay. They only do something call NAT, or Network Address Translation. It is basically the simplest form of a firewall. If you are worried about security, use both the linksys router and zonealarm as the user above stated.

08-05-2003, 02:35 PM	#9 (permalink)
Pragma I am Winter Born Location: Alexandria, VA	Technically, it's not a firewall. It does Network Address Translation to route connections from the external IP address to various internal connections. As such, only connections you configure can be initiated on the outside (ie: you tell it that you're running a webserver on machine X, so forward traffic for X on port 80 to it). True firewalls do so much more than simply "block all packets unless specified otherwise", they do stateful packet inspection, etc. NAT is a poor-man's firewall, I suppose. Running ZoneAlarm or any other software firewall is an excellent idea, even with the NAT solution. __________________ Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!