Can you setup a firewall (Hardware) on a single computer?

[Briguy]

I was wondering if it's a smart idea to install a firewall (hardware) on a single computer that is not hooked up to a network but is hooked to cable internet? Can it be done? Mostly I've seen them on networks and I was wondering if installing it on a single pc is overkill on protection?

Thanks!

[Aegis]

Yes, you certainly can set up a firewall on a single computer.  It is probably a good idea to do so.  Try the free version of Comodo, for example, HERE.

I have used Comodo on a desktop computer and laptop computer.

[Briguy]

No dude I'm not talking about software. I'm talking about something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122081

[Broni]

Besides from pretty bad reviews on that site, I think, it's a pricey overkill.
Get a router for half the price, and you'll get hardware firewall as well.

[Briguy]

Besides from pretty bad reviews on that site, I think, it's a pricey overkill.
Get a router for half the price, and you'll get hardware firewall as well.

I noticed that some of the firewalls make you lose a lot of your speed. Is there some out there that won't reduce your download and upload speed very much? Or is there a way of adjusting it like setting up rules or something?

[Broni]

I'd bet, 9 out of 10 people around here use routers (including myself), and I've never seen any download speed impact.

[Briguy]

I'd bet, 9 out of 10 people around here use routers (including myself), and I've never seen any download speed impact.

How come on the reviews one person said: "SLOW! Connections through this firewall are horrendously slow."

[Broni]

First of all, on that page, you have hardware firewall, not router per se.
Secondly, I'm not familiar with that device.
Thirdly, I don't know the guy

[cjones]

how about this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124007

i've never had problems with Linksys equipment in a home environment and use Linksys' parent company Cisco for business networks.

[Briguy]

The Comcast cable modems do they have firewall protection? If they do is it any good?

[Broni]

No, they don't. You need a router.

[Briguy]

how about this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124007

i've never had problems with Linksys equipment in a home environment and use Linksys' parent company Cisco for business networks.

That's great! Now if I wanted to setup a wireless internet network with two machines I would only need a wireless one. And I would only need one correct? Which one on the newegg website provides the most security functions? 

[cjones]

how about this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124007

i've never had problems with Linksys equipment in a home environment and use Linksys' parent company Cisco for business networks.

That's great! Now if I wanted to setup a wireless internet network with two machines I would only need a wireless one. And I would only need one correct? Which one on the newegg website provides the most security functions? 

you would need to run a wireless Access Point also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124012&Tpk=WAP54G

modem would connect to  Router/firewall (BEFSX41) then that would connect to Access Point (WAP54G) 

i don't think linksys has a wireless firewall.

[Briguy]

how about this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124007

i've never had problems with Linksys equipment in a home environment and use Linksys' parent company Cisco for business networks.

That's great! Now if I wanted to setup a wireless internet network with two machines I would only need a wireless one. And I would only need one correct? Which one on the newegg website provides the most security functions? 

you would need to run a wireless Access Point also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124012&Tpk=WAP54G

modem would connect to  Router/firewall (BEFSX41) then that would connect to Access Point (WAP54G) 

i don't think linksys has a wireless firewall.

So how do you keep the wireless access point from getting unauthorized access from the outside world? And keep the wireless data secure?

[cjones]

change the 'network name/SSID'
change the default password (both the wireless AP and router)
enable MAC filtering (only allow the MAC addresses from your network cards)
enable Encryption (WPA/WPA2)

you may be able to get away with 'do not broadcast' on your network as well.

most importantly...read the directions that come with it.  they tell you how to make it secure.  people have problems with their wireless networks because they don't read the manual.