Windows 7: I want to use my router as a firewall - Please Help

Yes it can, it's under windows firewall>advanced settings>windows firewall properties>private profile>state..

Yes I was able to get Windows firewall to work for the time being with the application recommendation mentioned earlier.

I was hoping I could figure out the router firewall though. I understand the router firewall won't ask incoming and outgoing data, but I would like to find out what it actually does do.

Haha, why would anyone even need an app that 'controls' windows firewall when it's all right there under advanced firewall settings. Weird. They even think people will pay for it, lol.

Btw, your router firewall will just open ports, nothing fancy.

No, it wont "ask" you anything... all it will do is "tell" you, and that would be in a .log file, if you have logging/SMTP enabled on that router. Not sure what chipset that router uses, (i'm thinking atheros, but could be wrong) but there are, used to be, software out there that will communicate with the SMTP on lan side (That is user friendly). Its been ages, and i dont have any names off hand, sorry. Would have to do some googling around. Even a "business class" router isnt going to "ask" anyone anything. Just give you more control over the lan is all. But its not a built in butler robot thats gonna ask you what to do about every little task it has to do. Thats what a log file is for. To see what and how you set things up, and what errors or such is coming back.

Some routers and 3rd party firmwares offer in depth filtering, whether its at the mac, ip, or port "level" . App restriction would be likely done locally, not by hardware router, unless done by port possibly.

Not quite true -- but you'll need something like a "Virtual Server" or even a Proxy (which is a server anyway) to do it.

If you ensure that your Internet requests go through the server you can then "Intercept" the requests and block them if you want.

However as a previous poster says if you want that level of control then you'd be better off with some cheap (or even free) firewall software. You only need something simple for this.

Home or consumer grade Routers usually only block PORTS and standard SERVICES.

Cheers
jimbo

yep...
and if you have a extra computer lying around then you can use it as a hybrid firewall is either smoothwall or IPcop...
if your have a compatible router then DD-WRT can have a better options...