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XEyedBear's avatar
XEyedBear
On our wavelength
2 years ago

Security on Home network when using Hub 3.0

I recently read a quote on a forum which said (summarsied) that if my home network runs from an ISP provided router in which no 'demilitarised' zone has been defined or port forwarding is not enabled, then no firewall is necessary on the PCs with a wired connection to the home network. Is this claim correct - even for Windows PCs (which complain continually when I disable any of the 3 firewalls in Win 10)?

Is there an exception to the security provided by Hub 3.0 which would make it advisable to have a firewall running on each PC?

Are wifi connected PCs protected to the same extent?

13 Replies

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  • legacy1's avatar
    legacy1
    Alessandro Volta
    2 years ago

    Windows firewall is fine will not cause a problem

    • XEyedBear's avatar
      XEyedBear
      On our wavelength
      2 years ago

      I don't understand this reply i9n the context of my request. Are you saying that disabling Windows Firewall will not cause a security issue, or that enabling the Firewall will not cause any problem (which it explicitly does, because certain applications will not run with the firewall enable even when an 'allow' firewall rule has been set for them)?

      • legacy1's avatar
        legacy1
        Alessandro Volta
        2 years ago

        It is rare that windows firewall is a problem so whats the app your having problem with?

        by default windows allows all outbound and you firewall inbound 

  • legacy1's avatar
    legacy1
    Alessandro Volta
    2 years ago

    Nice APP

    So as well as allow the APP in inbound you also have to make a rule for all programs inbound with UDP remote and local port 5353

  • Felim_Doyle's avatar
    Felim_Doyle
    Fibre optic
    17 days ago

    Of course, none of the above responses answer the original question about the built-in firewall in the Hub 3.0 and whether it provides any protection at all or what protection it does provide. As it has minimal configuration options, it's hard to tell what it does other than what it claims to do, which it does not.

    IPv4 firewall

    Firewall protection ✔️ Enabled
    Block fragmented IP packets ❌ Enabled
    Port scan detection ✔️ Enabled
    IP flood detection ✔️ Enabled

    I'm currently dealing with repeated attempts from multiple sources to access my network and certain devices and systems on that network. The Hub 3.0 states that it protects against such intrusions but my experience indicates otherwise. I want to stop unauthorised access to the network before it gets to any devices, as I can only protect certain devices through their own firewall, but I also need external access to certain devices and systems myself, so I can't shut everything out.

    Comments, suggestions or solutions welcome!

    • carl_pearce's avatar
      carl_pearce
      Superstar
      17 days ago

      Invest in your own third party kit that wasn't built on a shoestring.

    • jpeg1's avatar
      jpeg1
      Alessandro Volta
      17 days ago

      The VM Hubs are very basic devices designed for fit-and-forget by non technical domestic users. 

      If you want to set a firewall to your own requirements then you need to put the VM Hub into modem mode and use a better equipped professional standard router. 

      • Felim_Doyle's avatar
        Felim_Doyle
        Fibre optic
        17 days ago

        @carl_pearce, @jpeg1,

        I'm very familiar with the 'stock answer' but it is still not the answer to the OP's and my follow-up questions.

        What, if any, firewall protection does the Hub 3.0 provide?

        Non-technical domestic users are as vulnerable to attack as anyone else and cannot afford to be complacent about security by relying on the fact that VM or the Hub 3.0 itself says that they are protected.

        Questions about performance problems and seemingly weak Wi-Fi signals with the Hub 3.0 and Hub 4.0, usually elicit the 'stock answer' but I am aware of the causes of these issues and I have come up with solutions / workarounds (posted numerous times in this community) that mean my Hub 3.0 works just fine, apart from the firewall issue.

        I know that I have alternatives but I am just trying to eek out that bit more from the Hub 3.0 as I have successfully done previously.

      • Felim_Doyle's avatar
        Felim_Doyle
        Fibre optic
        17 days ago

        I presume that you weren't suggesting the Zyxel FLEX 500H at £870.80 ex. VAT, £1,044.96 inc. VAT!