How to turn on the router's built-in firewall

A firewall is a powerful defense system against hackers and cyber criminals. Surprisingly, many users already have a strong firewall, but do not even realize it. Most wireless Internet routers have built-in hardware-based firewalls, and unless enabled, this feature will stay dormant and not reach its full potential.

The following article will look at exactly what a firewall is; Why do you want to use it; how to find, turn on, and configure the wireless firewall's built-in firewall.

The information in this article applies to most new wireless router models.

What is a firewall?

A firewall is like a digital traffic police, controlling the network boundaries. It can be used to prevent traffic entering and / or leaving the network.

There are several different types of firewalls, both hardware and software. Operating systems usually have software-based firewalls, while hardware-based firewalls.

Firewalls help prevent attacks from the Internet, based on ports. Firewalls can also prevent an infected computer in the network from attacking other computers, by preventing malicious traffic from leaving your network.

All routers provide basic firewall protection, but many devices have more sophisticated firewall functionality.

All routers provide basic firewall protection

Check if the router has a built-in firewall

To make sure the router has a built-in firewall, open a browser window and log into the router's admin panel, by entering the router's IP address. Routers may have non-routable internal IP addresses, such as 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1.

Here are some standard admin interface addresses used by some common wireless router manufacturers. Refer to the manual for your specific router for the exact address.

• Linksys: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1
• DLink: 192.168.0.1 or 10.0.0.1
• Apple: 10.0.1.1
• ASUS: 192.168.1.1
• Buffalo: 192.168.11.1
• Netgear: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.0.227

After you log into the router's administration console, look for a configuration page labeled Security or Firewall. This indicates that your router has an integrated firewall.

Activate and configure the router's built-in firewall

1. Visit the router's configuration page.

2. Locate the item labeled Firewall, SPI Firewall or something similar.

3. Select Enable.

4. Select Save, then Apply.

5. After you select Apply, the router may indicate that it will restart to apply the settings.

6. Configure the firewall by adding firewall rules and access control lists to meet your connection and security needs.

When you have finished setting up the firewall the way you want it, check the firewall to make sure it is doing what you expect.