Can my computer be hacked even though I'm behind a router?

Question

Any responses and info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

Absolutely.

Without an active firewall, (hardware and/or software) maintained correctly, you are vulnerable.

Most routers are setup incorrectly if they have firewalls.  Most people with software firewalls don't want to be bothered maintaining them so they either turn them off or they allow everything to pass.

But most people really don't get hacked, they get trojaned & viruses and spyware.  Most hackers (wrong term really) couldn't care less about your machine unless they want to use if for a DOS or some nefarious thing.  They just want to cause you grief.

Think your protected.  You are probably not.  Go to http://www.grc.com and run the "Shields Up" test of you firewall.  You will see how exposed you really are.

Answer 2

I have used Computer Associates for years and am well pleased

Does not slow down your computer

Answer 3

Yes.

Answer 4

I dunno, what's your IP address?

The answer is yes, it can. The pentagon CAN be hacked, and I'm pretty sure they have heard of routers, maybe even have a few.

Now, some routers have a built in firewall, and that will go some way towards penetration prevention, but the question is. Will your computer be hacked? and the answer to that is probably not, like lottery probably not.

While there are some folks out there who spend hours and hours poking around the net looking for open ports to sneak in to, you are far more likely to fall victim to somebody reading unencrypted signals off your network, than you are to somebody actually banging their way through your firewall and in to your system. That c**p only happens inthe movies, and so long as your password isn;t "bypass" you'll probably fine.

Answer 5

yes it can, a router is just a a device that routes the enternet to your computer. you need a fire wall like windos defender or nortin enternet security in order to protect you computer. those will block pop ups too and frequently scan you computer for viruses. i perfer windows defender which is free and can be downloaded form microsofts web page. norton works but its expensive and slows your computer down cause it scans everyting. i have had both.

Answer 6

Possibly, but a router makes it very much harder, since it shields your IP address.

Your biggest vulnerability is probably your own behavior. I'm not picking on you specifically - it's the same for everyone.

Don't download questionable files, attachments, etc and you'll reduce your chances of infection.

Answer 7

Most routers have firewalls but a virus (or other malware) that has infected your computer could take it over and send out information from behind your firewall without you knowing it.

Answer 8

Make sure that you had a firewall, and it's always on if you don't want to be hacked.

Download and install this free 4 out of 5 star firewall:

http://www.download.com/Filseclab-Person...