If router can be used to hack user's computer, wouldn't it be safer to not use router?

[Milahwol]

I have seen articles and posts how after gaining access to router, hacker can get into computer or do some nasty things.

So... wouldn't it be safer if there is no router? There are yes, hacking attempts, but computer has firewall inside anyways. Router, while it can grant more firewall power, feels like it could become even more of a threat to security than do good?

What are the opinions of specialists in this forum?

 

[kanewolf]

No. Think of computer security as an orange. The router adds another layer to that orange. You have to penetrate more layers to get to the valuable stuff.

 

[jsmithepa]

You are saying, "I hear once the thief gets through the door, he will have free rein inside the house, so getting rid of the door should...."

 

[BuddhaSkoota]

I have seen articles and posts how after gaining access to router, hacker can get into computer or do some nasty things.

So... wouldn't it be safer if there is no router? There are yes, hacking attempts, but computer has firewall inside anyways. Router, while it can grant more firewall power, feels like it could become even more of a threat to security than do good?

What are the opinions of specialists in this forum?

The biggest security threat of a typical home network is the user. Bad passwords, opening access, poor downloading discipline, and other bad network practices can open holes that allow outside threats to penetrate.

In a normal home network, a router is required to allow multiple devices access to the Internet via NAT. Without a router, only one computer can be connected, and would be assigned the sole public IP address. A computer with a public IP address is far more vulnerable to hackers than a computer behind a router's NAT.

When some people refer to the vulnerabilities of a home router, they are sometimes referring to the wifi function. A strong password and use of the latest wireless protocol and encryption will help prevent potential unauthorized access. The only way to completely eliminate the threats over wireless are to disable it altogether.