Bill M. wrote:
> A PC-based solution would definitely be more FLEXIBLE than a router with
> questionable firewall solution. The laptop you describe would actually
> be overkill for a firewall box. Seriously, the processor is fine, but
> the amount of RAM doesn't need to be near 256 MB and the HD would be
> wasted. Anything older hanging around? Any friends have some old, usable
> junk they want to get rid of? The Smoothwall solution is mostly a setup,
> configure, and forget kind of thing. Just leave running in front of the
> network - don't even need a mouse or a monitor really -- you can use the
> web-based interface to do most maintenance work or SSH into the firewall
> as root and do work that way.
I would like to highlight Bill's use of the word "flexible". If your
router does everything you want it to, there's really no reason to
switch, unless you have a desire to play with router software.
> Like I said: I've had this solution for years and my WinXP systems have
> never had a problem from the various worms and viruses out there.
> (They've also had ZoneAlarm and AVG Antivirus, Spybot and Spyware
> Blaster - belt and suspenders kind of thing.)
Um, beware of any advice that says that you can "set it and forget it"
when it comes to security. It's always better to keep your software up
to date than to assume that it's perfectly secure at the time you set it up.
Chad Martin
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