Re: Misconceptions

From: JR (notlikely@nowhere.com)
Date: 01/13/03 

From: "JR" <notlikely@nowhere.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 17:19:15 -0500

"Coercitas Temet'Nosce" <coercitas@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3e233003$0$28729$79c14f64@nan-newsreader-02.noos.net...
> Hello JR,
>
> What you said is really valid and surely may help many ppl understand what
> is what, I admit Firewalls and Routers aren't the exact same thing (of
> course they aren't). Now, I fail to see the point of your post. Someone
> asked if a router can be an effective line of defense, surely comparing it
> with firewall because of the post title. Here is his post :
>
> "A friend told me that a cheap router is a great way to protect
> yourself from hackers. Is this true? I have a cable modem and I am
> concerned about hackers. I am using the trial version of Norton
> Personal Firewall, I wonder if that program is any good? Also, if a
> router is the way to go, can someone recommend a good, cheap one. I
> only have one computer in my home.
>
> You help is appreciated and thanks in advance for it.
>
> Mark"
>
> I don't see any part of this post stating a router IS a firewall, I
clearly
> see a clever title wondering if a router can be a firewall (actually, I
> found this title really smart and I even answered something, can't
remember
> what). Further answers were kinda confusing btw. But initial post was a
good
> one and surely something many readers wonder themselves, it is NOT stated
> that a router is a firewall, only asking if a router "is a great way to
> protect yourself from hackers", which is a solid question, don't you think
?
>
> Imagine you don't know at all what a firewall is, what a router is or what
a
> virus is, not to mention you aren't even aware someone can hack your box
> just to feel himself so powerfull. A friend of yours tells you everything
he
> knows (and surely as accurate he can be), you remember some words you
don't
> correctly understand and you wonder what the hell he said to you...you
find
> this forum and try to read as much as you can to ask a quite clever
question
> (the one that was asked was NOT a stupid one, really not)...Do you think
> your question will be as smart as his ?
>
> Try something else : Find someone who knows how to pilot a plane, ask him
to
> teach you, and then, try to fly...
>
> You'll love your bus stunt I think :o)

The post was to point out to newbies, the differences in appliances and
technologies. I was not trying to demean anyone. Imagine a newbie going out
and spending the bucks on a Pix 501 firewall (for instance), and then
finding out that it has squat to do with virus protection, caching, content
filtering, etc.
I hate seeing people spending good money for the wrong thing. Actually I
hate seeing people spending good money when the technology is usually
available for free with open source software. Old computers are a dime a
dozen, and with a little research, one can build a
firewall/router/proxy/NIDS etc. for free, my favorite price.
The intent of the question was not stupid. The way it was phrased was
humourous...to me. Apparently I see things a bit differently :0)
JR

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