#Computer modem vs router software
#Computer modem vs router Pc
#Computer modem vs router windows

A router adds another level of security to your connection with the internet using its firewall, which is considered to be more robust than what’s available on any operating system of your choice. Even anti-virus programmes don’t work very well against such inbound vulnerabilities.

#Computer modem vs router windows

You surely can rely on the firewall of your Windows or any other OS, but that’s not as reliable as a hardware firewall offered by a router.

Try thinking of it like what would happen if you left the window of your house open, or leaving your keys in the ignition of the car with the door open - you’re kind of doing that to your home’s digital connection when connecting directly to the internet without the security of a router.

#Computer modem vs router Pc

If you have a single PC at home and the ethernet connection via your modem is working well for your needs, you might speculate that a router isn’t needed, rather will add to the clutter - well that’s not entirely true.Ī modem isn’t secure at all as all it does is transfer digital information - or data, in simpler words - between you and your internet provider and doesn’t provide any security - exposing your system to attack over the internet as your public IP is being used.ĭirectly connecting your computer to the modem leaves it vulnerable to an attack from someone else on the internet, who can snoop in, try to initiate communication with your system and look for vulnerabilities. Advantages of Using a RouterĬonnecting to the internet using your modem is completely possible and people do that too, and although using a router might feel like adding up unnecessary hardware to your desk, but it provides you with enhanced security, wireless internet to multiple devices as well as file sharing capability over the local network.

#Computer modem vs router software

No matter how many devices are connected to the internet via your router, the internet would only receive all search queries as if from a single device - meaning all the devices will share the same world wide web IP address.īoth of these devices are also available as a single unit these days - containing hardware and software to both connect to the internet and then transmit the signals to multiple devices, also creating a home network. Not only does a router allow multiple devices to connect to the internet with derivative IP addresses, it also allows devices on a local network to interact with one another. It is the link between your local network and the internet.

The modem plugs into an internet service providers line via telephone wire, fiber, broadband or satellite and then relays the internet to your system or the router through an ethernet cable.Ī router cannot be directly connected to the internet - you need a modem to act as a bridge.Īt home, your router is connected at two ends - one to the internet and another to your private local area network. A router is basically used to share the internet signal, relayed by the modem, to multiple devices using the same IP address - either wirelessly or using an ethernet cable. Nowadays internet signals are usually transmitted via broadband or fiber lines but in the earlier days when telephone lines were widely used, a modem would ensure a steady route is maintained by encoding and decoding digital information. Although not recommended, users can connect the modem directly to the system to stay connected with the internet too. The main function of a modem is to send internet signals from your service provider to your computer - usually via a router. People running a single PC at home more often than not connect their system directly to the internet provider’s line via a modem’s ethernet cable, but that’s not secure at all too - something we’ll discuss later on.

While the modem is a data transfer device that works as a medium to connect you to the internet via ethernet, a router essentially acts as a means to transfer the internet signal to multiple devices at once and allow devices within a local network to interact with one another.