For maximum security, the most reliable way for home users to protect a network is to purchase a router with firewall capabilities.

These routers do more than act as a firewall - they network multiple computers, allow them to share a single Internet connection, and may even support wireless networking.

If you have more than one computer and an always-on broadband connection, a router/firewall gives you the benefits of a home network and connects every computer to the Internet. If you bring a laptop home from work, it may even be a requirement of your company's security policy.

Using a router with firewall capabilities has several advantages over using personal firewall software. Software firewalls can protect only one computer at a time and are completely unable to protect other types of devices connected to your network, such as a game system or personal television viewer.

The following are some of the popular hardware firewall products available: Linksys Routers, Netgear Routers, and SMC Routers