[mrss]

I got my buddy a router a a few years ago when he had DSL. He's now on cable and ditched the router. Would appreciate some reasons why he should re-install it?

[etaf]

a Router enables you to connect more than one PC to the internet, or it supplies the ability to connect multiple PC's with wireless

but if he has one PC and in one place then no point I can think of..
also is the router capable to be connected to the cable connection ???? mayneed a different router

[lunarlander]

A router has NAT, and hides the PC(s) connected to it. Without a router, the PC will be directly visible on the internet, which just invites attacks. Without a router, a software firewall is a absolute necessity.

[mrss]

It's a Vista box, so it's either Vista or a Norton firewall.

[lunarlander]

If he decides to go without a router, then tell him to use Vista's Public firewall profile.

[mrss]

Thanks all.