What's better hardware firewall or software firewall?

well just wondering. my question is on the topic.

 well not really :P

both, put a *nix based OS onto a dedicated box!

i concur





oh i was just looking at the more emoticons. i like these ones:

most routers only block incoming traffic so it is a good idea to use a software firewall which blocks outgoing packets.

some firewalls dont block outgoing packets so get the right one.

example windows doesnt block outgoing packets.

Hardware fw doesn't affect the bandwidth compared to the software fw. You can get a hardware firewall for 50$ and a norton soft fw for 70$ so the cost is much cheaper with the hardware ones[no all are 50$ bt you will have most of the stuffs to secure a home]
Sw fws consumes memory processor speed and bandwidth
Hw fws are seperate device so they dont consume mem or pro

or, goto a comp sale, and get a 486 - P2 200 for less than $50, download ipcop/softwall or any other linux based os (those 2 are special firewall ones) for total of $0

throw in a couple of eth cards (less than $15 each), boom, dedicated box with software firewall

ipcop/softwall (i think thats the name, its early atm) is easy for anyone to use

Do what rogue said and pick up an old junker comp with two NICs in it, then install this:


http://www.zelow.no/floppyfw/

i couldn't remember the name of FFW this morning, thanks

yep yep!

Very true... nowadays one could build their own HW firewall for next to nothing. Plus, it's good expierence doing it.