So in some basic home network configurations you have a wifi/wired router that is also a dsl or cable modem. Most, if not all, of these devices have a built in firewall that can be enabled. Most of the time is enabled by default. This firewall is a standard security feature between your home network and the internet outside of your home network and the network between you and your Internet Service Provider.

Your Internet service provider also takes in to account that its clients may not have the best security practices, or may use insecure applications and operating systems. With that in mind they protect their network from possible intrusion from security holes that their clients may unintentionally provide for attackers via internet connectivity.

So this is all pretty standard. Many years ago I heard of an case where Hughes Communications disonnected a client until the client agreed to removed a trojan from their computer. However you can't disconnect, from the internet providing network, for the insecure practices of your Internet Service Provider. Not without cuting off internet access. But you can use an additional firewall between your home network and your I.S.P. (cable/dsl modem). Your cable/dsl modem will need to support providing DMZ host to your new firewall device. Even with that, this network configuration can be a hassel. Many feel this in not needed because your Operating System probably comes with its own firewall. In addition to the modem firewall this should be good enough, right.... or maybe?

I was just wondering what you guys thought. Do you think it is important to firewall your ISP? Do you think the Built in operating system Firewall is enough?

I have been helping friends, family, and many others with their computer ills for years. Sometimes the problem pointed to access via the ISP network. Often the problems were trivial. It seems to happen more often in rural areas. Sometimes it has seemed like bad security practices on the part of the ISP. Other times (when the ISP doubles as a PC repair/sales shop), I have seen the problems look a little more like something an average college student might think up (like tasks scheduled to delete system dlls). I'm not saying that some hack over the internet couldn't be a college student, but that sometimes it seems like the attacks that have cause problems seem to be of differing artistic level. And that the simpler attacks seem to go away when you protect yourself from your ISP.