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Operating system security or separate equipment? Which is the right choice for you? Security of your home computer is always on people's minds, especially since the hours we spend online every day slowly creep higher. If you are frugal, you may find that your computer already has the software to protect itself, but if you dig a little bit deeper, you may find that the very equipment you use to connect you to the Internet can also protect you from it. Operating systems often ship with some basic firewalling software. The big advantage is that it's already there, for example, Windows XP and Vista. As soon as you begin networking the computer, the security implications jump in and the OS asks you to protect it. As with any complicated task on the computer, there will usually be a software wizard to guide you through setting up the firewall step by step, so most folks won't get lost on the way. The biggest disadvantage is that you may not have all the control you want to if you want to lock everything possible down. Windows, for example, uses several ports for communication between systems, and they may stay open while you focus on closing down more obvious ones that you think are the biggest risks. Also, if you need to keep some ports open, for online gaming, for example, it may be difficult to pinpoint if the firewall is stopping you or if the game isn't configured properly. Almost every model of router sold today includes at least some basic firewalling software. The kind most commonly used, brands like Linksys and Netgear for DSL or cable, include good enough firewall options to secure both your home computer and your home network. With the added advantages of being able to add network security solutions like NAT, port forwarding, and logging of traffic, they offer the best option that is widely available. The disadvantage, of course, of having so many options and decisions is that many users may be intimidated into not using all the security available, and that configuring all these options may take an extra hand. With the cost of an average home router being around $50, even if you spent an extra $25 to have someone configure it properly for you, you may find that extra peace of mind worth the relatively low price. As with anything, the more control you have means the more protection you can have and the easier decisions you can make about spending time online.
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