How does a router add extra security to your computer?
I only have one computer and its hooked up in the modem so how would a router give me extra security?
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well a router has many security features to it one being it has a hardware fire wall not software based firewall. as for the other many advantages they offer it depends on the model and manufacturer’s specifications used in making that router some are safer than others.
Routers are (normally) firewalled. However, it’s only against inbound intrusions and it’s hard to determine how good the router’s firewall protection is. So a strong software firewall is still a good idea.
a router can provide you with a great deal of security, and is certainly better than not having one at all. having your computer directly connected to a modem is not good practice and it can leave you open to attack.
if you are planning on implementing a wireless network, it is always a good idea to use encryption… an insecure wireless network is just as dangerous as having no protection at all.
routers will allow you to add network passwords, and encryption protocols to protect your network and information. they can also have a firewall function that prevents attackers from establishing a connection with your machine.
The router acts as a hardware firewall giving you that extra wall of protection between you and the bad guys.
Think of it the router as a nightclub bouncer, and the web traffic as the people who want to get in. Naturally you won’t want to let everyone into your club as not all these people have good intentions, that’s where the router comes in. It’s filtering that traffic discarding the bad stuff from ever making it to your computer.
Almost like becoming invisible on the internets.
A “NAT” router is a firewall.
Routers control & direct data traffic (in bundles called ‘packets’) to and from computers; either within it’s own network (the Local Area Network = LAN) or; to & from the Internet (WAN = Wide Area Network).
When you request a webpage (URL) with your computer, the router passes the request through to the Internet, remembering which computer on it’s own address table sent the request.
Inbound packets (data bundles), are matched (via information on the header) as a valid request, and directs the ‘packet’ to the requesting local computer. Unrequested packets are ignored (in effect ‘blocked’) and left outside the LAN.
The bundles are reassembled by your browser, and you see the webpage.
Routers have no way of interpreting what is ‘clean’ or what is malware; it just knows your machine asked for a certain URL and all it’s components.
Requested packets, nasty payload or otherwise, will be delivered to the requesting computer (from the address table), and bingo; you get whatever was asked for.
So firstly, make sure, to the best of your ability, you know what your asking for over the Internet.