Im new to home networking, so would appreciate help here!

I am on a broadband connection, and want to share this against two computers.

Ok, here is a nice diagram of how I propose to set it up .


[Cable Modem] --> [Router] --> to both [PC1] + [PC2]

I read that the above setup is dangerous. Now with this setup, how secure will my setup be? Each PC will be running a firewall. I understand that I will have to setup a home network, thats no worries. However, will I be able to have shared folders on each PC, without risking that whatever is in these folders is viewable to anyone on the web, will files being copied between the two PCs be viewable?

The Router is the
Netgear WGR614

Part of the specs are this: True Firewall with SPI and NAT protection.

What is SPI and NAT and will that make my above config secure??

Many thanks in advance
Graham

Your Configuration will be secure, well as secure as it could possibly be. I have almost the same setup (Add more PC's) and have never been hacked or had anything compromised.

However, wireless networks are not as secure so make sure you use MAC Address and WEP security along with firewalls.

Manually configure your IP addresses and only allow those two IP addresses in your desktop firewall software. Thus, only those two IP addresses can talk to one another.

You should be fine without going too far, all depends on where you live and who is around you.

I agree as well, that setup should work fine and you "shouldnt" have to worry about security too too much.

If you're worried about being attacked your firewalls should take care of that.

As of right now, you're not planning on adding any wireless devices, correct?

d00d ditch teh netgear and get a Linksys

anyway my setup is similar to that, but the linksys routers have a built in firewall

Hi guys and thx for getting back to me

I have my pc and my dads connected wireless at mo, both sharing the connection. Im not sharing files between the two yet, not until im more clued up

j-dogg, the Netgear has 'True Firewall with SPI and NAT protection' (whatever that means!)

I know with a firewall like orton or Zonealarm, your IP address is hidden, how will that work with hte Router? If the Router is always on 24/7, then wont I always be broadcasting an IP address if the firewall dont work?

Be ABSOLUTELY sure to set up WEP as Fantazmic said... there are literally guys who drive around with laptops and just wait for their wlan to pick up a signal. They park in front of your house and then ur screwed.

Well, I don't use WEP but here is my deal.

Change default password
Change SSID
Use MAC filtering and DENY anything else
Use hardware firewall on router
Use firewall on Windows XP

I also use Norton AV and Firewall