| In the process of home network setup, one thing that | | | | need to figure out what brand you want. There are |
| you may not have considered is network security. | | | | quite a few different major brands such as Cisco, |
| Wireless network installation can be very complicated, | | | | D-Link and Netgear, but in the end the level of security |
| and as such, you might believe that the security part of | | | | and quality you want will determine the price you pay. |
| it can wait till a later date, but you could not be more | | | | For instance we could first start out by talking about |
| wrong. This is something that needs to be done as | | | | the standard D-Link and Netgear. |
| SOON as possible. | | | | The lower end routers do their job, and can even be |
| You might think that you should be that one person on | | | | customized with Linux based firmware. They will cost |
| the block setting up a home network that anyone can | | | | you somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 - $50. Not |
| use, and that's a great dream to have. The only | | | | a huge price to pay, but you have to remember that |
| problem with this is that anyone could park in your | | | | their security isn't always top notch, and in many cases |
| immediate area and use your internet to download | | | | can be easily broken. Though you may not be able to |
| illegal materials. This could include music, games, | | | | afford it as a home user, a Cisco router would be a |
| movies, or even inappropriate forms of pornography. In | | | | great choice if you are big on security. |
| the end, this can all be traced back to you, which is | | | | Note that Cisco is normally used for large scale |
| why you need to make sure you have the best | | | | companies or even corporations, and their routers can |
| wireless network security system set up. | | | | easily run from $500 - $15,000. It's a lot of money, but if |
| When it comes to wireless security, there are two | | | | you can afford it, then this would definitely be the best |
| major types of firewall. The first type is the software | | | | wireless network security option for you. |
| firewall. This type of firewall is one that you install on | | | | In the end it all comes down to how much security you |
| your computer and it keeps you protected. The | | | | need, and what you need it for. All wireless routers |
| second type of course is the hardware firewall. | | | | offer some measure of security, and if you are not |
| Technically it is still software, but it is a box that sits on | | | | happy with the items on the market, then you could |
| your network keeping hackers and other malicious | | | | always create your own router. That however, is |
| users out of your private life. The question is what | | | | something best left to those with experience, and you'll |
| type of hardware firewall you are going to purchase. | | | | be there soon enough. |
| Since a hardware firewall is essentially a router, you | | | | |