Korean Job Discussion Forums

[redbird]

My guess is that a router would be a good thing for Tzechuk if she wants to devote some time to understanding what routers do. The router would also allow her to share data between the two computers in her house.

I know you've had a recent bout with malware, but this seems like it's a little more complicated response than you really need-- unless you want to learn more about computers. There are a couple things you can do first that are a little simpler. The first is to make sure that the administrator log-in on your computer has a complex password. When I set up my Dad's computer, I made his usual surfing account a simple user account so he couldn't accidentally install something and he's been fine. You can also re-name your administrator account for some extra protection. Add on a typical anti-virus program like Norton and you'll probably be in good shape, although you should still periodically back up anything that's vital for you.

I don't want to make routers seem ultra-complicated, but they'll take a little Googling to understand.

[Demophobe]

[Pangit]

A router's not going to protect you from a virus. Not one that you're most likely to buy, anyway. They usually don't have built in virus scanning. A router is only good for sharing an internet connection or setting up a local area network so that you can share data with computers connected to the network. The most common extra that routers come with is the firewall. That might protect you from a trojan that you've unknowingly installed on your computer by opening up a questionable file. Either way, the router's still not going to stop you from opening up junk e-mails with viruses attached to them. Neither will the firewall. You have to keep yourself from doing that. Stop opening questionable files! Tell your mom to stop forwarding you junk! Well, I get most of my nasties from Mom - I don't rightly know about you. So, how did you get the virus?

[tzechuk]

[Derrek]

[hypnotist]

[Giant]

@tzechuk

Demophpobe pretty much said it all. The router is what in laymans terms is know as an "IP Sharing" device. But it also acts as a hardware firewall. In the sense that there is software (BIOS) in the router that does what a software firewall does. By software firewall I mean one that you would install like ZoneAlarm.

Basically the most common type of consumer router has a "switch" built in. Not to be confused with a "hub".

Basically a switch and hub do the same thing but a switch is better since it allows direct traffic from sending port to destination port. A hub simply broadcasts to all connected ports and that slows down traffic.

Anyway, if you to Yongsan, or where ever, just ask for a IP sharing router with a firewall built in. You will find you can get one that has like 4 or 5 ports to connect up to 4 or 5 computers. I know in Korea the "Gateway" make is popular. But Linksys, Netgear, 3Com are all good too.

Cheers

[tzechuk]

Thank you you guys... most helpful.

{{{{{hugs}}}}}

[seoulstomper]

Can any of you techies help me?

I have just connected a (Taiwan-made) Netmate 4-port router to share a connection in my home. However now my torrents downloads are abysmally slow (20kB/s vs. 200kB/s pre-router), and sharing them is even slower on uploads. I have used the internal router configuration page to forward to applicable port (50000) that Azureus uses, but with no luck so far.

Has anyone else had a similar problem and managed to solve it? Since this is an obscure router there is not much help on the 'net. I would appreciate any suggestions, or if anyone with networking expertise lives near Haebang-chon in Seoul, I would get you drunk if you could come over and help set it up!

[hypnotist]

What does https://www.grc.com/x/portprobe=50000 say?

[seoulstomper]

It says "STEALTH". I'm at my half-wit's end over here.

[Wrench]

[jazblanc77]