Affordable network firewall available for under $200.
Affordable network firewall available for under $200.
I'm searching for a reliable firewall in the $100 to $200 budget that can handle 300 Mbps traffic with at least five users. I've seen several DoS ARP attacks and remote access attempts from various IPs, especially through VPNs, which makes it hard to pinpoint exact locations. Other issues include random disconnections from my wireless router and unexpected behavior on my phone. Instead of tracing IPs further, I'd prefer solutions that block these threats outright. I value added protection and would appreciate any guidance or spec details you can share. I've attached a log snippet showing some IP addresses; only 45.37.0.1 was traced to a nearby town, not a precise address. The same applies to most incidents, so VPN usage seems likely. I own a NETGEAR WNDR4300 router, but I don’t remember the modem—my provider is Spectrum. I also have a NETGEAR ProSafe GS108 Gigabit Switch and a NETGEAR WN2500RP access point. I’m concerned about potential data theft.
First, ensure all unnecessary network connections are disabled from the outside. If needed, configure OpenVPN or a comparable service to enhance security without cost. Second: I’ve faced issues in the past where someone hijacked a device on my network and attempted to access random servers using my connection. My ISP reached out about it. Fortunately, they were understanding and provided helpful guidance, which I’ll share here.
1. Avoid checking logs; you won’t find much useful there. Computers worldwide constantly ping random IPs for testing purposes. As long as ports aren’t open and you have solid hardware (which you do), you’re unlikely to be targeted much.
2. If you have a public IP address you don’t need, remove it. This forces attackers to route through your ISP’s infrastructure, making it significantly harder for them to succeed. Doing so could annoy the wrong person in a scenario like Call of Duty 3. For added safety, specialized gear is necessary—like UniFi by Ubiquity or a custom setup with pfSense (see: https://store.netgate.com/pfSense/SG-1100.aspx). However, keep in mind: even with good equipment, your ISP still purchases far more advanced hardware than you, which explains the security gap. Don’t believe you can achieve complete protection by buying consumer-grade gear—it’s a myth.
Thanks for the input! I understand using a VPN gives extra protection and reassurance about where my data travels. The multiple attacks from different IPs definitely suggest they’re using VPNs, which makes me worried. I’m not sure if my ex-girlfriend could have done this, but with so many attempts there’s no certainty she succeeded. Since I can’t trace the IPs past the VPN, I’m left guessing. Personally, I’d prefer a firewall for added security and full control over settings. It’s not my ISP’s job to manage this—it’s up to me to decide what I want. I’m also looking into Netgear firewalls with built-in VPN capabilities. They seem promising—they handle 300mbps connections and support multiple users. From what I’ve read, they’re good at handling traffic limits, but it would help to know the exact speed support for each model.
The log you shared indicates nothing suspicious was detected. The entry simply confirms your router successfully blocked the threat. You might wonder what it misses, but I’d say it’s safe to relax. If you dive deeper, it’s probably not worth stressing over. Your current firewall and computer protection are likely sufficient. Deep packet inspection could be a concern if you need a faster connection, but it usually needs strong hardware. Check the documentation for details or reach out if unsure.
Thanks for your patience. I’ll try to provide more detailed insights and avoid shortcuts. Your feedback means a lot, and I’m glad you’re taking the time to explore this further. It’s great that you’ve been learning through research and hands-on experience—it really strengthens your understanding. I’ll keep investigating and make sure I cover all aspects of security options.
Initially, if you're facing ARP poisoning, it means a device on your network is already affected. ARP messages operate at layer 2 and can't be routed across networks, which explains why they can't reach the internet. Even though a home firewall might seem unnecessary, it's probably not worth the effort. Instead, verify your packet acceptance rules and consider it resolved.