What is the DMZ setting on a wifi router?

[Jim Robeson]

Was looking to speed up my connection and found something on the internet about enabling the DMZ setting. Is this a good thing or a bad thing??

Thanks!!

 

[Murf'n'surf]

You don't want to enable DMZ. It basically opens up your network (all ports) to outside threats. DMZ is typically used in business settings with firewalls. That's about all I know... At least that's what I think until one of our local network gurus elaborates on it!

 

[Shuck Water]

Demilitarized Zone or Dennis Miller Zone...I'm confused.

 

[billyb]

I agree DONT USE IT FOR HOME USE.

Here is a decent link that explains.

http://routerguide.net/when-and-how-to-setup-dmz-host-for-home-use/

 

[Bruce]

It removes the firewall and makes one device as close as directly connected to the internet as possible. There are few reasons why you would want to use it.

 

[subysti]

It can be used for a dedicated game system so it has unrestricted access to the internet but it does open it up to attacks. Use it for something that has nothing important on it. Some people use it for Xbox or other game systems to speed up online gaming.

 

[Jim Robeson]

Thanks for the advice, I did a little more research last night and decided not to enable this feature. Sounded kind of scary actually and I don't need scary right now.

 

[Big Shasta]

You might use it if you were setting up a web server or something. It's like putting your valuables outside on your lawn instead of behind a locked door. You would only have a specific device in the DMZ, not your whole network.