Asking the service provider to support firewall configuration when they are charging $49 a month for the service is not realistic. If you are smart enough, to one, know you need a firewall, and two actually install it, you best be smart enough to set up your own cable modem connection. Furthermore it's in their best interest to encourage the use of a firewall, as it reduces the chance a compromised system could compromise their network. The BEST way to address this is providing a network based firewall that lives within the provider network, and can be configured by the end user via secure web page. The Nortel Shasta BSN 5000 and other similar products can provide this functionality at a fraction of the cost of ZoneAlarm, Linksys, Nortel..etc...

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Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/articles/287/9009#9009