is my router secure ?.

jonno_2

I have a Thompson speedtouch 570 router connected to my desktop pc with a Ethernet cable (rj45)
I am not intending to go wireless for the time being. and as I run zone alarm and avg along with adaware and spybot I was wondering if these would be enough to keep my computer secure in its present set up.
I know that routers have their own built in firewalls, but do these only work for a wireless set up.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers and thanks.

albertross_2

If you aren't using wireless, turn off the wireless functionality in the router admin page, or give it a wpa password, and disable ssid broadcasting.

The inbuilt firewall protect your network from intrusions from the outside world (via internet). It doesn't protect you from wireless hacking from the neighbours, that done by encrypting the signal.

jonno_2

Thanks for your help albertross, its appreciated.
Theres a couple of things puzzling me about this router ( i bought it secondhand with no documentation ) in that it does,nt show up in add and remove, device manager, or programmes, and the only way i can try to access the configuration is by going to the ""http://10.0.0.138/index.htm"" address.
Also I can now get online immediatelly with internet explorer, weres originally i had to log on to aol first, is this normal ?,
Hope this does,nt sound too stupid but in its present set up (one pc to router via ethernet cable) am I deemed to be not on a network and therefore safe from hackers or other hassle merchants out there ?.
any advice would be welcome.
thanks a lot.

espresso

You can download the user manual from here. Now that you are connecting to AOL using your router, you can remove all of the AOL bloatware from your computer as it is totally unnecessary and the router will stay connected 24/7 i.e. you no longer have to connect as you would using a modem. You will not find anything in Add/Remove Programs etc. as you are communicating with your router via the Ethernet port and have not installed any software.

HTH

albertross_2

you are on your own network, and it gives you added protection from the outside world, but not from the neighbours.. turn of the wireless function if you aren't using it, in the router admin page, to protect yourself.

TNG

Try going to "Shields Up" - do a search for it. It's a web site that will test how secure your settings are

Omertron

Shields Up is HERE
Be careful of what it tells you as it is sometimes a little over zealous