Bob,
Good question. Another point to ponder is: How many of them are *USING*
Linux inside? The major benefit of these boxen is that they are cheap,
and they are easy to use (supposedly). I believe that obscurity plays a
major role in the security of these devices. They don't tell anyone what
is in them, so, theoretically, no one knows where to begin cracking
them. While security through obscurity is an extremely valuable layer in
any security strategy, it is far from the best, and, IMNSHO, it
shouldn't be a selling point. Another high point to these devices is
that they have a built in hub. It's less equipment to deal with.
So, in a nutshell, here are the good points:
- small
- inexpensive
- easy to use (often a web interface)
- multiple ethernet interfaces
- built in routing, NAT, etc.
FYI,
Kenny
PS The bad points of these devices are dependent upon your point of
view.
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> In a message dated 4/24/2001 4:48:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
> > Greg, the best advice that you will get from me and others who frequent this
> > group is to invest in a firewall/router box. I use the LinkSys BEFSR41
> which
> > has
> > 4 10/100 ports but there are several other manufacturers of these devices.
> > They
> > cost around $150 or so but allow you to share up to 4 systems on your
> > cable-modem connection and as far as I know are impervious to
> hackers/script
> > kiddies. Well worth the piece of mind!
> >
> > -Alex
> >
> I'm confused here. Isn't that what Linux is supposed to do with
> IP* (name of the month)?
> Why is this box more secure than Linux?
> What are they doing that Linux isn't? Or what aren't they doing that Linux is?
>
> Bob Sparks
> Linux enthusiast / mouth / newbie / fanatic / ...
>
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Kenneth E. Lussier
Geek by nature, Linux by choice
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