I have to admit this firewall stuff overwhelms me. I run a NetGear RP114 with a NAT firewall and ZoneAlarmPro. Im running ZAP because Im told even a home computer that is on a shared high bandwidth cable connection should have layered security. So thats were Im at.

What I want to know is using a router with a NAT firewal worth the effort?

Now I used this tool http://reglos.de/myaddress/IPAddress.html from this post at computercops http://www.computercops.biz/t271-Reveal_Your_IP_not_so_smart_thinks_does_I.html

It told me what my public IP address was and the fact that I was on a router with a NAT firewall, then what the IP was to my desktop on the router. I assume through some java applet, like one that could be loaded from any visited web site.

I understand the most complete way to surf securely is to use an anonymous proxy server like Anonymizer.com. Even that had draw backs as the proxy server still has your IP.

Having said all that the question remains, what good is a router with a NAT firewall really?

Both are good because you are following a layering concept. The NAT router stops traffic from coming into your network. ZA stops traffic from leaving your PC without authorization.

Now you have to protect your browser with something like Proxomitron.

Paul isnt the router allowing traffic into my computer? As in the case of test I ran above it knew the IP of my desktop. Can anyone just put a java script on thier web site that will allow them access to your desktop?

Sorry I was not logged in, Im that guest above.

A router won't block javascript that you allow to access your computer. A router only allows traffic back to you that you have requested to be sent in. Hence, visiting a web site is such a request, the router will send back that page to you. Now what gets rendered on your browser is not controlled by a firewall, it is controlled by your privacy settings in your browser, or by the use of a proxy like Proxomitron.

Ok so if I want to surf and be safe I need to go through a proxy server either:

Local on my machine like Proxomitron or through

Anonymizer.com or using a program like GostSurf.

I will download Proxomitron and use it. Thanks for your help.

My pleasure... you're in luck, the author hosts its forum here on site.

Kool, I love this forum. Im glad I joined.

Man, messed up again. Im that guest above. I keep forgetting to log in before I post. Do you think there is a chance that the site could check to see if your logged in before posting and give you the option to log in if you not?
You know a kind of failsafe for knuckle heads like me.

Maybe in future code, but for now we're in "stable" mode. Thankfully too because my day job has been pressing lately. You can just stay logged in and not log out.

Kool, that dosent stress the server?

Nope, not at all.