How do I turn on the router firewall?

1.) How do I turn on the router firewall? I don't have the model or name of the router/modem because it's not in my room. I have Verizon.

2.) Is it recommended to run the firewall in Vista and the router firewall?

 

1/ You would need to go into the router settings. Normally this is done by opening your browser and entering the IP of the router. (most home routers are 192.168.1.1, but do differ)

2/ Personally I would say yes.


- Stem

 

Thank you, Stem. I think the router is on. Is low minimum security good enough?

 

Is that a setting in the router?

It would depend on what that setting does and what other options are available.

- Stem

 

There are maximum and medium options as well.

 

That does not tell us anything as to what it is doing.

Do you have the router manual which may give you info on what protection is offered on the different levels?


- Stem

 

I do have this screenshot with the descriptions.

 

Ah right.

Those settings are basically outbound rules to control the replies. If youre only using the Internet for browsing / mail etc, then I would set it to High.



- Stem

 

What about inbound rules?

 

You only need inbound rules if you want unsolicited inbound, for if you are using P2P or a game server (or similar) Then you would set up a port forwarding rule(s) and set the router to "medium"

On the maximum setting, then only replies are allowed to the outbound of specific comms, such as connecting to a website or sending/collecting mail. Unsolicited inbound will be blocked.


- Stem

 

I do use P2P. I don't have the model or name to look on portforwarding.com for instructions.

 

I think you may struggle with the setup, as it looks like you may actually have to go to a custom setup.

As attacks are still blocked on the low setting, you may be best to leave the setting as it is.


- Stem

 

So go with custom instead of high or medium?

 

You would probably need a very open custom ruleset ,so you are just as well to leave the setting as is.
The problem is what other ports users have set for their inbound, a lot of users use low reserved ports (various ports below 1024) in an attempt to circumvent ISP throttling of P2P applications.

Because of this, and the fact that your router still blocks attacks on the low setting, then just leave as is.


- Stem