anyone can explayn what is and what do a router?
is it software ..or adware..and if it is software is like firewalls..we just need to instal and let do the job??

is it really necessary?

i mean hardware..not adware..

thanks..

Hardware that allows multiple computers/printers to be connected together. You can get a router that has a firewall built into it. The best for the buck (about$50) are made by Linksys, DLink, 3Com and Adaptec. The most and cheapest solution for a small office/home user is to use one of these and a free software firewall(Zone Alarm, Sygate, Kerio, Outpost). All the best!

hi sea,
usually a router is a piece of hardware used for networking more than one computer. lately more and more people are using them for their ability to protect their machines from hackers, as a router acts a physical firewall. used in conjunction with a virtual firewall a machine will then be in total stealth. a computer with both firewalls will be protected from incoming and outgoing data packets, your ip address will also change regularly and your machine will be masked from all intruders. for more info go to www.thepublicworks.com security section and link to practically networked, firewall forensic, and the firewall guide.
the capt. has mentioned some good routers in his previous post together with some very good virtual firewalls.
hope this helps, all the best,
murve