[Rich-L79]

My small town (read that unsophisticated) cable service has been bought out by a much larger company. Along with the increased level of customers service, we are now (finally!) offered the ability to get a cable modem and improved ISP. Since DSL is likely to be a long way off if ever eventuality here, we jumped at the offer and signed up. I won't miss my slow dial up even though they've been reliable for all the years I've been with them.

I currently run Zone Alarm on my machine for an extra level of security. Will Zone Alarm (the free version) be enough to keep me safe when we are on the connected-all-the-time cable modem? Are there any settings in Zone Alarm I should update when we make the switch?

 

[Chevello]

You will surely enjoy your new speedier access.

Only thing I can think of is to make sure ZA fires up when you start the computer.
I was looking for a setting to tell Zone Alarm that the 'net is on a LAN instead of a modem, but didn't find it.

Hth

K

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64 2 Door HT 6-230 and a 'Glide (laying on the floor next to the car)
TC Member #1155

 

[Rich-L79]

Zone Alarm is on anytime my machine is on. It loads up each time I reboot. I like how it protects my ports from intrusive prods from outside servers even with my current dial up service.

 

[Matt Smith]

EVEN on Dial up, you still see nasty activity

 

[JWagner]

Zone Alarm is a pretty good product, but not perfect.There seems to be some net activity that can disable ZA. It shows up as an error message when you try to use your computer; it will say that the program has performed an illegal operation and was shut down. When you request details, it shows that ZA was shut down. Not good. There are several solutions that I have used since learning that. One is to not leave the computer on all day. The other is to disconnect the cable when not using the net ( a bit of a pain). And the better way is to add a router in the line. I got a 2-port router for $39 and it blocks 99% of the trash; the other 1% is blocked by ZA. Once you get used to the faster connection, you will really be impatient with any dial-up connection. Enjoy.

 

[Rich-L79]

Hmmm. I'm ALREADY impatient with my dial up connection!

 

[Chevello]

Its when you start getting impatient with the T1 at work that know that you have become addicted.

K


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64 2 Door HT 6-230 and a 'Glide (laying on the floor next to the car)
TC Member #1155

 

[Narti]

Rich,
This guy has some pretty cool info and utilities to check your computers safety, check out his site. Nick P.
http://grc.com/default.htm


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Nick P.
Team Chevelle Gold #36
http://home.attbi.com/~nicpal www.chevelles.com/showroom/Nick's1970ChevelleSS396.jpg

 

[BLU69]

As stated above, Get the router! Most have at least a basic firewall built-in. I would also run a software based firewall as well. I have found several people running a win9x system with their entire c: drive shared while connected to a DSL line. Even with a password there are off the shelf packages that will go thru a 9x password real quick.

SECURITY!! Shut off the cable modem or router when not in use and maintain a good firewall and antivirus package at all times.

My .05 (Inflation)

Tim


[This message has been edited by BLU69 (edited 03-31-2002).]

[This message has been edited by BLU69 (edited 03-31-2002).]

 

[DaleM]

I'd suggest the router as well. I have a Linksys 4-port unit (BESFR41) that will allow up to 253 PC's (I currently have four) to share a single cable connection. My cable provider suggested the router as the easiest way to security since only the router IP address is seen. I just (re)tested it from Gibson Research and their "Shield's Up" probe. All they found was the router itself and couldn't get through any port (FTP, HTTP, POP3, SMTP, etc.)

Personally, I prefer the hardware approach as it's one less thing to have to reinstall on a PC, have possible conflict when/if you upgrade to a new OS, etc.

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TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67 SS & 67 Elky
Dale's Place
Team 67
Midwest Chevelle Regional Governing Council
Integrity: If you have it, it doesn't matter - If you don't have it, it doesn't matter.

 

[Rich-L79]

Okay, so someone please explain to me about the router. I think of a router as a simple computer that routes info within a network (such as at work). It acts as a traffic cop controlling the ebb and flow of data around the network. Sounds expensive. I only have one computer and this will likely be the case for all time.

JWagner said he got a router for $39 and that sounds like what I can afford. Can I get such a thing at Best Buy or some kind of local store? Any fancy set up involved? Do I simply plug the cable connection to the router and from the router to the computer and turn it on?

Thanks,
Rich-who-only-knows-enough-to-be-dangerous

 

[Spawn22]

Rich-L79 if you get a highspeed cable or DSL what you want to do is get a hub/router. Hardware is the absolute best way to protect your computer. Etherfast cable/Dsl router cost about $79 but the have a built in security using IP protocals.


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<A HREF="http://www.sacchevelles.com


" TARGET=_blank>http://www.sacchevelles.com


</A> "Smell the gasoline and feel the torque, ~~~ women like fast cars"

 

[67ss]

Routers are not hard to setup.Just follow the instructions.I got mine from best buy.I have 2 comps on mine and they work slick.

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John 67ss
ACES #2887
Team Chevelle Gold #127

 

[JWagner]

Yesterday's (Sunday) flyer from Compusa shows an ad for a free(!) 2-port router from Siemens (item 288203). It is $80 minus 2 rebates of $40 each, if you buy the network card (item 288808)for $25. I do not know if you can get this deal on their website, but if you have a Compusa store in your neighborhood, take a look. Anyway, a NIC and a router for $25 seems pretty reasonable.

 

[Dean]

I wish I was smart enough to hook all of my machines together to share files
I have three here at home and one a few miles away at my plumbing shop
Do they sell a cable that long ?


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Dean Call
Team Gold member #3
A.C.E.S. # 00235
Mid America Chevelle Club #001
chevelles.net
My 69 SS

Ain't but three things in this old world worth a solitary dime........
but old dogs and children and watermelon wine

[ This message has been edited by Dean (edited today) ]

 

[JWagner]

Dean: I think that product is called "PC Anywhere". I have not used it, but some people where I work use it to access their work computers from home via the phone lines.

 

[Rich-L79]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JWagner:
Yesterday's (Sunday) flyer from Compusa shows an ad for a free(!) 2-port router from Siemens (item 288203). It is $80 minus 2 rebates of $40 each, if you buy the network card (item 288808)for $25. I do not know if you can get this deal on their website, but if you have a Compusa store in your neighborhood, take a look. Anyway, a NIC and a router for $25 seems pretty reasonable.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Figures. I just bought one for $35!

 

[427L88]

Rich, thats fine. I caught up on this thread late. With both ZA and the router IF you recieve infected emails, they'll be cleaned of any text before they get to your machine. Great security combo. We use it here at work in a small office. Black ice is a better firewall, but ZA is free and decent.