What router should I buy?

Hallo

I know absolutely nothing about routers, but read that they increase security. Can anyone please recommend a firewalled router I can get. I have a LAN ethernet connected to a D-Link switch connected to an Idirect modem which connects to a Vsat.

I currently have 1 computer connected at a time, but would like the option to connect up to 3.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Hi plodr,

Thanks for replying, and yes, it is a satellite modem.

 

Thanks plodr

Sorry for the late reply, been unable to connect to the net since Wednesday. Yes, I can use a Lynksys wireless router with my system. Very interesting forum, thanks for sending me the link and info.

 

You do not indicate there is any problem with internet connection via the Idirect modem / vsat, so we assume that side is OK.

You do ask about connecting more computers, guessing, in a SOHO environment.

You have a switch. Is there a reason to not use that switch to connect further computers? You would have to manage static IP addresses for each newly connected device / PC.

If you replace the switch with a router you would benefit from DHCP in the router to manage the IP addresses AND the router should operate its own firewall so that PC's need not do that. (possibly the vsat has a firewall)

It depends on your layout (separate rooms / buildings). The switch may still be useful in a separate room linked by a long wire run.

 

Hi muymalestado

Thank you for your reply. My connection is fine. I have a 128/128 with a 15 -1 contention ratio, and unlimited usage. The computers would be in the one house. If my vsat or Idirect 3000 series satellite router does have a firewall, it did not keep a hacker out, who has hit me repeatedly and messed up my other computer as well. I decided I needed a firewalled router, after reading that they help to hide your IP address. I currently have 2 static ones, which my ISP gave me after I had trouble with my connection dropping. It appears that the malware I had was causing the dropping problem.

I have now bought a Linksys Wireless-G broadband router, which I have connected to my laptop . I know very little about networking, and thought that the new router just replaced the D-link switch? Should I be using both?
:confused

 

You dont need both unless you want to extend your network as muymalestardo mentioned. When you buy a home router, the devices include the router and the switch ports. Using a router, you can have 1 public ip assigned by your ISP, then connect as many computers you want with private IPs. muymalestrados idea of only using a switch would only work if you had one public IP address per computer assigned by your ISP.

a router does provide additional security and does act as a firewall. not exactly the most sophisticated type of firewall, but a firewall nonetheless. this is because routers use a protocol called network address translation, or NAT. it takes a single public IP address a routes traffic to as many private IP address as you want. Your private IPs are not visible to the outside world, which is what makes your computer more secure to outside attacks. a router alone does not protect against malware, however.

 

Hi kingsteve,

Thanks very much for explaining that to me. I suspect that it was the hacker who infected me with the malware, as the same malware problems began after a couple of hours of firing up my old computer with a clean installation of XP.

I feel much more secure after reading your simple explanation of how a router works, thanks.

 

Happy to help