Computer Hope

Internet & Networking => Networking => Topic started by: aaskl on May 12, 2010, 08:53:16 AM

Title: router
Post by: aaskl on May 12, 2010, 08:53:16 AM

hi all,

My question is, does using a router mean it is more safe to use the internet and download things?

Reason is I currently have a wireless router, DI-524UP. However, the wireless seems to be not working as there are constant drop outs (meaning I can't even access the route setup page unless i reconnect). So I used the LAN cable. Now there are even drop outs using the cable (so i have to pull it out and put it back in). It became so annoying that I just directly plugged my cable into the wall socket and it works perfectly fine!

Now my question is, is directly plugging it into the wall unsafe? I have mcafee antivirus and firewall on my computer and my computer is the only computer in the house.

Thanks

Title: Re: router
Post by: camerongray on May 12, 2010, 09:27:13 AM

Nope - It is perfectly safe to use your connection without a router.  Just be sure to keep your Firewall and Antivirus up to date and running.

Title: Re: router
Post by: aaskl on May 12, 2010, 08:39:14 PM

well that's nice to know.

Cause i've heard that if i directly connect my computer to the internet, that exposes my computer via the IP address for attack. But if I have the router, then attackers can only get to the router but can't enter my local network.

Is that true? or am i missing bits and pieces of that argument?

Title: Re: router
Post by: camerongray on May 13, 2010, 02:06:08 AM

Yeh - It does remove an extra bit of protection but if you have a firewall and turn off file and printer sharing then you should be fine.  You can also look into a new router - They are really cheap now.

Title: Re: router
Post by: aaskl on May 13, 2010, 08:15:23 PM

yeah, probably will get a new router.

How do I turn off file and printer sharing?

Title: Re: router
Post by: camerongray on May 14, 2010, 04:18:14 AM

Here: http://compnetworking.about.com/od/windowsfilesharing/ht/enable_disable.htm (http://compnetworking.about.com/od/windowsfilesharing/ht/enable_disable.htm)

Title: Re: router
Post by: Sid on May 14, 2010, 08:38:16 AM

Plugging directly into the wall?

What type of cable is it?  Are you at a University or something?

Title: Re: router
Post by: aaskl on May 18, 2010, 12:00:07 AM

Thanks Camerongray

Sid: Its just an ethernet cable.

Title: Re: router
Post by: BC_Programmer on May 18, 2010, 02:06:25 AM

Quote from: aaskl on May 18, 2010, 12:00:07 AM

Sid: Its just an ethernet cable.

it's probably connected to either a router or a modem somewhere in there.