is directly connecting dsl modem to computer safe?

i gotta know ur ip to help u...

J/k yeah its fine... just have a firewall or use linux with a firewall if ur more paranoid.

 

It all depends on if you've got other people in the house that use the router. If it's just you using the Internet, then by all means a no-router, modem only to the comp deal is fine.

 

Don't most routers have a built in firewall? The modem that you get when signing up for DSL typically will not. I would say that you'll probably be fine with a good software firewall. But also having a hardware firewall would be better.

 

I'm not at all computer savvy.. but.. what dangerous could you possibly risk having a direct modem to computer connection..? wouldn't a modem that requires a direct connection.. indicate zero means to tap into said modem.. without directly connecting to it.. a rule which would apply to any ill-willed third party..?

 

Try adding one of them free firewall programs onto the PC if the router doesn't already have one. ZONELABS' ZoneAlarm is a good one... noisy at first, but will protect you well from inbound requests you shouldn't be responding to.

 

ive done this since 2003 and dont see the point in not doing it?

ive never had security problems, my internet connection is always faster than my friends(because they use routers), and other members of my house can still connect to the modem through a wireless connection.

trust me go without the stupid router.

 

in fact ive never even had a firewall turned on.

 

If your computer is connected directly to the modem then it's visible to everybody on the internet and they can send requests to it. Default installations of a lot of software and operating systems have security holes that can be exploited if that is the case. By connecting a router to the modem the router is visible to the outside world and filters any incoming requests so they never make it to your computer. Since routers only have one specific purpose they don't have the security problems of normal computers.

 

So your computer is connected to the modem and you also have a separate wireless network set up?

 

I do that now. at&t's uVerse allows you to connect physically and wireless to your gateway which manages all your devices on the local network for your HDTV, cable and DSL. I have no router in between the gateway and the computer .

 

He most likely has a 2wire wireless gateway, which is a combination router/modem.

 

If you see smoke coming out of the back of your computer then its a bad idea.

Seriously though I agree with the other posters. There's nothing wrong with this provided you have your firewall turned on.