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AlphaShield Firewall

By Stephanie Bruzzese, CNET.com on 09 May 2005

The AlphaShield fits a very narrow niche: technology novices who use only one computer and a broadband modem.

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AlphaShield Firewall Stephanie Bruzzese, CNET.com 9th May 2005 The AlphaShield's fixed firewall features are fine for newbies, but users who want protection for an always-on Internet connection will want the firewall flexibility found in most full-fledged routers. SurfSecure Routers AlphaShield Firewall The AlphaShield's fixed firewall features are fine for newbies, but users who want protection for an always-on Internet connection will want the firewall flexibility found in most full-fledged routers.

• Good: Simple setup • Basic packet-inspection and IP-address-protection features • Works with any operating system
• Bad: Expensive for what it is • Cheap look and feel • Can't alter settings • Only one protected LAN port • Doesn't support dial-up
• RRP: AU$100.00

Photo gallery: AlphaShield Firewall

For most folks with wired or wireless routers, installing the AlphaShield hardware firewall would be as ineffective as putting a chain lock on a door that already has a dead bolt. The device's fixed packet-inspection and IP-shielding capabilities pale in comparison with the flexible settings included in many of today's routers. The AlphaShield's other claim to fame -- the ability to connect and disconnect your computer from the Web at the press of a button -- can also be achieved by simply plugging and unplugging the system from your broadband modem or router. Absent-minded newbies with just one computer and a broadband connection might benefit from the AlphaShield's basic features, but more advanced users with a couple of wired and wireless computers should put their AU$100 bucks toward a full-fledged router such as the Belkin Wireless Pre-N.

The pocket-novel-size AlphaShield is unobtrusively small but looks and feels fairly cheap. Its silver-plastic top contains several rough edges that make it look like it was yanked from a sloppily constructed mold. The two blue-and-grey buttons on top that connect and disconnect your computer from the Net are shakily seated, causing them to wiggle more than we'd like. Lining the front edge are three tiny LED status lights, two change from red to green when your broadband modem and computer are plugged into the device, and the third turns green when your system is connected to the Net.

Three RJ-45 jacks on the back edge accommodate your cable or DSL modem and two other Ethernet-based devices, such as a computer or a router (sorry, dial-up users: the AlphaShield lacks an RJ-11 jack). Yet only the cable/DSL jack and one of the additional RJ-45 jacks are protected by the AlphaShield's firewall features -- the third jack is fair game for unwanted pings and data packets. In contrast, most routers include four jacks that all enjoy the same security protections. The rear edge also offers a switch for setting the device to one of its three connection modes: Auto, in which the device remains constantly connected to the Internet until you press the Disconnect button or shut down your system; 15, in which the AlphaShield disconnects your computer from the Net after 15 minutes of inactivity but does not abandon its IP address; and Lock, in which AlphaShield both disconnects your system after 15 minutes of inactivity and dumps its IP address. Though the automated modes are convenient for the forgetful, you can achieve the same result by unplugging your Ethernet cable or shutting down your system, both of which cost you nothing.

AlphaShield's assertion that device setup takes less than a minute is more or less true. Unlike most routers and access points, the device has no software-setup wizards or browser-based configuration tools. The brief hard-copy installation guide advises you to simply connect the AC adapter to the device and a power outlet, plug your broadband modem and computer into the appropriate jacks, and press the blue Connect button. While its specs claim that the device is plug and play, we had to restart our modem and computer before getting a Web connection. The overall straightforward setup puts a security baseline in place, providing your computer with basic blockage of unrequested data packets (similar to SPI) and IP-address screening. On the flip side, the absence of a configuration tool means you can't adjust these settings to fit your needs. For example, you can't change the protected RJ-45 port settings to allow a specific port to be accessed through the firewall, something you might need to do for gaming or videoconferencing.

In our basic tests, the AlphaShield successfully protected our computer. We began by disabling the Windows firewall settings on our XP-based laptop. We then instructed HackerWatch.org, an antihacker site, to send unwelcome data packets, which our notebook accepted. When we connected the AlphaShield to the laptop and again asked HackerWatch to send unwanted data packets, our laptop refused the data. We should note that our notebook also refused these packets while disconnected from the AlphaShield yet with Windows firewall settings enabled.

Topics: firewall, router, alphashield, route, jack, packet, disconnect, device, broadband, setting

• 

  Gery gave 10/10 on 08/10/2007 16:06

  • Good: Turn on and walk away forever . 100 percent usefull.
  • Bad: Need to reset after power outage.

  I to have been useing this device for 2 years and have had great results. Payed 100 bucks, well worth any hassel to repair or work on computer problems

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  priority115 gave 10/10 on 13/09/2007 07:05

  • Good: Excellent value for dollar. Stops unauthorized usage and pilfering of your precious personal information from being hacked. It is so simple to install that in all honesty anyone who can read and follow simple instructions will have no difficulty installing it. Operated quietly in the background without disturbing the user.
  • Bad: None.

  Dear Readers,
  
  After a thorough investigation of this units abilities I was just floored by the comments left by individuals referring to it as a Router. The AlphaShield is NOT a Router but instead a positive displacement FIREWALL that simply allows only what the user has requested from the terminal (keyboard) THEY are personally using to enter the computer and rejects anything that is NOT requested by that user. That is how this unit functions so that hackers and the like cannot enter your machine. Typically, the AlphaShield operates seamlessly in the backround. You won't even know it's there and that's the whole point behind owning one. You want three things things in a firewall. 1. Seamless integration with your current system. 2. A price you can live with. The AlphaShield is available for about $20 to about $100.00 depending on where you shop. 3. It should simply work. Period. Without question the AlphaShield does just that. It works seamlessly in the background just as it should. All you care about is that it works and stops the bad guys from stealing your precious name and all you have worked for and hold dear. Your Safety.
  I don't pay attention to so called or self proclaimed Guru's... Much less the staffers at CNET. They have been wrong plenty of times. This is just one more time. The item was designed for high speed travel and not 56K snail mail. Perhaps CNET could improve itself rather than critique others with an obvious acid tongue. There is nothing worse than an over-reactive critique with little or no common sense in their report... Read on ~
  Firstly, the AlphaShield is designed for any user with a High Speed connection being either that of DSL or Cable.
  Secondly, the Alphasheild is a positive displacement FIREWALL and not a Router at all. The AlphaShield is a PROTECTION DEVICE. A Router is Not primarily a protection device but a supplemental device to assist you and also offers you some protection, but Routers are not primarily designed as a Firewall, so don't be confused by the lack of honesty in the CNET reviewer. Simply put, She's incorrect about the units abilities. There are tens of thousands of these units in use by home users and SOHO users alike as well as major corporations and the majority all had but one comment to offer you... It works just as described right out of the box. The truth being the truth, I have built many computers over the years and was with the industry in the beginning when I was with Apple Computer in the early years of PC development. I enjoyed my time there with no regrets whatsoever and I can very safely say that if you want a simple device that does takes a complicated job and completely simplifies it so the home user finds out that it really is a true plug and play device then the AlphaShield is definitely for you! I have owned one now for over 2 years with no regrets whatsoever and I have watched the unit stop everything from a simple pop-up to a Trojan threat in it's tracks.
  This does not mean that you should not invest some of your money in a good Anti-Virus - Anti-Spyware program to work with the AlphaShield as a supplement. Yes you should. But beyond a simple add on such as Norton or the equivalent it is not necessary.
  The AlphaShield is a VERY worthy device that when applied properly will yield a very high level of personal security when accessing the web.
  END~

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  VOLfan gave 9/10 on 18/07/2007 05:38

  • Good: It just works (whether you are "newbie or oldie")
  • Bad: poor and brief CNET review of a very good product

  Great Product. Have been using for 2 years. Secure. Product box states: "100% Unhackable internet protection Guaranteed!" or your money back.The Cnet reviewer is either uninformed, biased prior to review, or worse. I use this between my router and the internet, have a SOHO with 8 desktops behind this little gem, no problems. Much easier to configure if your needs require, than any router or software you are likely to encounter. The user guide totals 15 pages to address all the various "tweaks" you may wish to perform. Despite the disparaging remarks of this CNET reviewer and snobhead "know it alls" all too common in the computing world, just research this product, look at the user reviews here. It works. Form your own opinion. I have formed mine from real world use and am not affiliated with nor in any way to this or any computer hardware or software company... these are my OWN thoughts I share with you FYI. Good luck.

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  David gave 4/10 on 15/05/2007 07:48

  • Good: It works. It's easy to use.
  • Bad: Everything else.

  The most ridiculous idea I have ever seen in my life. Get a half decent (and cheaper) router which will do WAAY more than this. Most routers work out of the box like this, too.

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  jsbourman gave 8/10 on 16/04/2007 04:58

  • Good: Inexpensive
    Simple to install
    Works
  • Bad: None for the "home" user.
    

  Simple! No configuration. Works with home wireless router for any number of computers. This IS NOT A ROUTER!
  Unfortunately, most commentators are ill informed about the product and make judgements based on 2nd hand information. Bottom line - product works, works well and can be purchased for under US $30.00.
  FYI the Aux. port is for passthrough Voip or other applications as neede.

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  Monk1 gave 10/10 on 08/11/2006 08:48

  • Good: Easy installation, blocks popups.
  • Bad: My first one was fried by a lightning strike. Second one has been working fine for over two years.

  Been using this on my single PC for about 4 years now. No popups, no viruses/spyware. I always had problems with Software firewalls getting bugs and causing problems with my system. Now they're under $20 on Ebay and worth every penny.

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  Schultz gave 4/10 on 21/10/2006 14:06

  • Good: Perfect if all you have is 1 PC.
  • Bad: For the price of this device you could get a really nice (and very configurable) wireless router that will support over 200 PCs. Hope you don't plan to have someone remote into your PC to help you with a problem...you can't configure this device to open up the required ports. IE: VNC port 5900

  Great for Dummies

  Being extremly familiar with networking and the such, I find this device to be a complete waist of money. However, I do see where this device could come in handy for a networking dummy who doesn't have a friend or family member in the industry.

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  Kindle J gave 1/10 on 11/02/2006 18:31

  Thumps up security

  AlphaShield is not a router, as suggested in some of the comments. i have been using this product for 2 years, i am not a technically inclined, but i find this product has eliviated most of my security problems, and all my pop ups are gone. My system has been running like a charm. ALPHASHIELD IS PEACE OF MIND. i agree with the companys pitch: most secure and very simple for everyone.
  Kindle,
  Boston

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  Ross Kline gave 1/10 on 30/01/2006 10:04

  Ultimate Online Security Machine

  I am a technical analyst, i have seen security but but not like AlphaShield, most of them require configuration, patches, upgrades. AlphaShield i find is very simple and very powerful for the consumers with limited technical knowledge. As we emerge rapidly into the Cyber World security is becoming a number 1 threat,there is no such thing as a secret everthing can be accessed through internet.A product like AlphaShield is innovative and provides a level of security that everyone requires. Spying and eaves dropping on people are a major concern, this product will secure. Everyone connecting to DSL should have an AlphaShield Hardware Firewall.
  
  Ross Kline

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  Anonymous gave 1/10 on 21/01/2006 19:24

  very effective, and yes you can configure selected ports ot open.

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