router

[aaskl]

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

[camerongray]

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.

[aaskl]

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?

[camerongray]

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.

[aaskl]

yeah, probably will get a new router.

How do I turn off file and printer sharing?

[camerongray]

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

[Sid]

Plugging directly into the wall?

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

[aaskl]

Thanks Camerongray

Sid: Its just an ethernet cable.

[BC_Programmer]

Sid: Its just an ethernet cable.

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