OS X firewall and ADSL router

[michelec]

Hi there,

I'm after a bit of a clarification. I read about the issue (bug?) of 10.5 not having the firewall switched on by default, I can see that being a big security issue but I'm unsure if this would be a big problem when using your mac behind a ADSL router.
I always thought that if you are connected to the internet via a router, the requests for pages and other files on the net are requested by the ip address associated with your router rather than your mac. The router then relay the packets to the mac without the rest of the world knowing. Is this assumption true? If that is the case should I stop worrying about setting up the firewall correctly?
If that's not the case, and the firewall needs to be set up, what are the sort of "standard" safe settings? The fw got a million of options and settings and it's very easy to get confused.
Any thoughts?

Thanks

Mike

[appleman_design]

if you are behind a router, the NAT will block unwanted outside attacks. no need to turn it on twice.

[michelec]

So, as most users are operating behind a router, what is all the hype about firewalls etc.? If its not needed for most users why bother? Am I missing something?

[mclbruce]

In the past DSL and Cable came with what are called modems, not routers. This meant that you could only connect one computer to the broadband connection.To connect more than one you had to buy and set up your own router. So, in the past anybody with broadband at home and one computer was probably directly connected to the Internet. If that's the case, then it's a good idea to have your firewall on, particularly if you're running Windows.

[michelec]

Thanks a lot! Good to know you don't need to switch the thing on as I never bothered to set up any firewall rules. Out of interest which would be the everyday situations where the firewall should be on and properly configured?
When I'm at home behind my NAT router I don't have to worry but if I use a dial up modem on my laptop (or a wireless connection in a Starbucks) I guess I need the firewall on - is this correct?