Security Hardware..aaahhh I cant believe that now..

This page currently lists mostly host-based, software security solutions. As part of a strategy of defence-in-depth, you may also want to add security hardware devices that sit in between your "internal" home network and your connection to the Internet. For the home user, this usually consists of firewall features built-in to a broadband router.
Note that the term "firewall" is bandied about quite freely. Most of the inexpensive boxes only provide NAT (Network Address Translation) and port filtering. This is not the same as a full Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall.
For this topic in general you should look to other sites on the web for reviews and information, and to the vendor and your ISP for support on how to configure the firewall features of your broadband router.
Some good starting points are:

• Links to Firewall Router Reviews from FirewallGuide.com
• Practically Networked
• HomeNetHelp
• Small Net Builder
• Hardware By Brand forums at BroadbandReports.com

Another possibility, for advanced users, is to built your own firewall using commodity hardware and free software. There are too many software possibilities for me to list here. I will mention just one that was recommended.
Astaro Security Linux is free for home use. You will still have to register it in order to get a license key. You will of course have to also supply your own hardware to run it on.

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