An EtherFast Cable/DSL Router acts as the only externally recognized Internet device on your LAN. Built-in technology acts as a firewall to protect your internal network.

Internet security is rapidly becoming an important consideration when building a network. With the recent proliferation of news stories on hackers, viruses, and Internet thieves, mainstream America is beginning to understand the power that a single individual can gain by quietly sneaking into your network and downloading your personal files, data and information.

Every networked computer that has access to the Internet is, to some degree, at risk. But we don’t want to scare you too much. The odds of a hacker wasting his time on your personal network is slim. Compared to the allure of breaking into a major government or corporate system, you don’t have much to offer. This doesn’t mean, however, that it can’t—or doesn’t—happen. If someone is after nothing but small-time financial or personal data, personal networks are perfect targets. Fortunately, protecting your network from unauthorized access is both inexpensive and easy.

While firewall software does exist in-and-of itself, a home or small business user will likely want to buy an Internet Sharing software product with a firewall built in.

The most simple and flexible way to create an Internet firewall (a network shield against unwanted intruders) is to install a piece of hardware into your network that already has firewall software built into it. The most commonly used firewall device is an Internet Router.