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Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Many Internet providers recognize you by the MAC address of your network card. It is unique to your computer, so it is like a serial number. When you put a router between you and the Internet, the ISP now sees a different device there. Since they don't know what account the device is associated with, it doesn't get to go on the Internet. Usually there is some kind of registration process so you can confirm that device is allowed.
Once the router is allowed by the ISP, any device protected behind it will be able to get on. The ISP only sees that one device.
Generally speaking, it is a bad idea to be connected to the Internet directly. That router acts as a firewall, which is a very good thing to have protecting your computer from the open Internet traffic. You'll be a lot less likely to have any security issues with that firewall in place.
Edited by mx270a 1/17/2011 00:12
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router trouble
