Routers

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Any advice on a good wireless router for a home network? I’ve received an offer form ZoneAlarm for one of their Z100Gs for $130. They don’t say who makes it but I presume it’s their own label on one of the established router manufacturers. The blurb says, “The ZoneAlarm

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Andrew,
Do you NEED a router? I’m not trying to be smart here but is a router on your must have list? A wireless one to boot?
I wonder if $130.00 is a little steep but then again I haven’t been shopping for one lately either. have you done any price comparisons?

( just random thoughts )

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I need a router, because I’m adding a second computer. Plus I WANT a wireless router, so I can use my new laptop anywhere around my house or backyard.

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The “box” looks familiar, but I won’t speculate as to the manufacturer. I just wanted to confirm that you can find lots of reputable routers for less than $100. I happen to prefer Linksys, but I’m not yet wireless, so I can’t compare their models to ZA’s product.

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Im like Big Al and prefer Linksys. I use the WRT45G.

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I think the significant price difference between this device and cheaper routers is the Checkpoint firewall.

StuartR

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I would suggest that ZoneAlarm are trading on their software name to sell routers (US only, BTW!) at a premium price.

There are endless wireless routers (check if you have cable or ADSL) available from many manufacturers at cheaper prices (half? two-thirds?), and reviews galore all over the internet. I would check on the highest level of security your laptop supports, then on what the router offers, in increasing order of ‘strength’ being WEP, WPA, and WPA2.

John

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Check with your ISP. My Verizon DSL account came with a combination modem/router that is part of my monthly fee (no extra charges for the built-in router). The router is for both wired and wireless. Just a phone call could save you some .

I agree with John. ZA is trading on their software reputation. Routers need not be expensive extras.

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You must be some special because my email say $149.95!

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Dave,
I guess we are on the B list. I just got the same thing in my morning emails. $149.95

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I guess so!

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Well, it does seem that the Linksys WRT54G is a popular one with this group, so you might give it a Google to see what the best price is. I’m curious about why I haven’t received any email from ZA about this offer. Might it be because I use the free version and you guys are Pro customers? I don’t see any opt-out screens in the free version where I may have asked them NOT to send me any emails.

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Nah, I use the freebie version and still got the offer. BUT at the B list price!

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Al,
Maybe it is a personal snub.
I do not even use Zone Alarm and look what I have.
Paul

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Oooh, that’s funny! I even have the spam filter at my cable ISP turned OFF lately as a test to see what they might be filtering out. I guess they know who their likely prospects are…

I tried to find someplace at the ZA web pages to write to them to ask about these price disparities but couldn’t find an email address and gave up. I’m curious to see what would happen if someone ELSE were to respond to one of their emails. How ’bout forwarding that email to me at my Lounge email address (in my profile) and lemme see if I can respond and get that low price.

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Al,

I am a photoshop user .

Paul

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Oooh, you you!

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Email form:
CONTACT US

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How is the Linksys security? I want a router that cannot be seen by passers-by. You have to know it’s there and actively negotiate a connection and supply a password.

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While you’re waiting for one of the three to comment, here’s a review that rates it pretty well: Fast Wireless Routers – Linksys Wireless-G WRT54G Review

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To hide it from all but the most ardent sniffer, set the Wireless SSID Broadcast option to disabled.

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The Linksys security has been fine for my needs and you can disable the SSID broadcast. From the Linksys descriptioin:
“the Wireless-G Broadband Router can encode all wireless transmissions using 128-bit WEP encryption, and also supports industrial-strength Wi-Fi Protected Access

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I agree with the other responses. There are lots of excellent inexpensive routers on the market (I’m using the Linksys WRT54G). The ZA router package is a combination of hardware AND software and after the first year, you’ll have to renew the software subscription. If you are already using a software firewall of some sort (you ARE using a firewall I hope ), then the extra expense for the additional ZA software isn’t necessary.

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More of the same from here.
I use and have been very happy with the Linksys wireless G router (WRT54G). This unit and similar ones can be purchase at about 1/3 the price of the ZA unit. Unless you have some uncommon need for security I would look elsewhere. My feeling about range is that I want a strong signal where I need it and zero outside that range, which of course, you cannot have, but I would not want my wireless broadcasting a kM from my home. Hummmh ? Maybe if you do broadcast your information that far into the world a first tier security blanket is not a bad thing, so perhaps the ZA unit is a well balanced design.
Paul

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