| D-Link DSD-150 - SECURESPOT appliance has been | | | | something windows XP firewall will NOT do. It only |
| a great network security device for my home | | | | blocks inbound communication. Given a scenario where |
| network. There is no longer a need to install full blown | | | | some malicious software is downloaded onto your |
| antivirus software, personal firewall, content filtering, | | | | computer and records all account and password |
| and etc. You noticed above I stated full blown antivirus | | | | information used and sends it to some internet site for |
| software, this is due to a thin client still needed for | | | | horrible use the |
| some of the features like antivirus. The thin client takes | | | | D-Link DSD-150 would alert you of this outbound |
| much less computer resources than what would be | | | | communication. |
| needed if running those memory and processor hog | | | | Identity protection is a big plus! You configure the |
| security suite packages. I admit the D-Link DSD-150 | | | | device to store private data like credit card numbers, |
| was a little buggy at first but with recent updates it has | | | | paypal account info, etc and which web sites are |
| improved a bunch! A major improvement is the virus | | | | allowed to access this data. Since phishing attacks |
| engine is now McAfee. | | | | have become more popular this will become a critical |
| The web content filter will help keep the honest, honest | | | | feature. I know I have received emails like this one |
| and protect your kids eyes for seeing something they | | | | where it sends you to some off the wall server |
| should not. You have the option to enable password | | | | address to enter all account information. At this point |
| override in case you are on the machine and really | | | | you just gave some Joe all of your paypal account |
| need to bypass the content filter. I use this alot when a | | | | info and boy are they going to have fun! |
| site is being blocked from my kids and may be falsely | | | | There is also a reporting feature that provides what |
| blocked. I have to say 99% of the time it is blocked for | | | | websites have been requested. The popup blocker is |
| a good reason. I hate those online game sites that look | | | | just another additional feature which is good since |
| fun and innocent but click through and you find some | | | | current browsers still donot do a great job of blocking |
| trashy videos!! | | | | all popup ads. There is an easy override to this feature |
| You can create profiles for each computer or user | | | | as well. Just press the ctrl key while clicking. |
| and have different protection rules for each. For | | | | The Spam blocking feature is the only thing about the |
| example my machine does not block any software | | | | D-Link DSD-150 that I would have to say is pretty |
| from being downloaded. Each child in my house has a | | | | lame. The only thing is does for you is tag suspected |
| computer profile that does enforce blocking of certain | | | | emails with some prefix of your choice. The default is |
| file extensions like .exe. This prevents any downloads | | | | SPAM. You still have go into each email client like |
| of malicious software to their machines that could | | | | outlook express and create a mail rule to send all |
| damage the operating system. You know how kids | | | | emails with SPAM in the subject to a folder of your |
| can be! | | | | choice. I have to admit that alot of broadband service |
| There is a scheduling feature to block web surfing | | | | providers these days have a pretty robust SPAM |
| access at certain times of the day. This is great if you | | | | filtering service so this feature is not critical. If your |
| need to prevent the kids from playing on the internet | | | | provider does not offer this than I would recommend |
| while doing homework or if they need to be grounded | | | | opening up an account @ GMail. |
| from surfing. | | | | I am no way an employee of Dlink, just a Dlink |
| Host Intrusion Detection is also integrated and it | | | | hardware junkie. I use this device everyday and highly |
| prevents inbound or outbound communication to and | | | | recommend it. Yes there is a yearly subscription fee |
| from applications loaded on your computer. This is | | | | but this is no different than any other security suite. |