Newbie to firewalls - do I need one?
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Newbie to firewalls - do I need one?

 
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Seeker
Guest
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:35 pm    Post subject: Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Reply with quote
I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
around)?

I also use the following freeware progs:

1)AVG as a free antivirus checker (2) Spybot (3) Ad-Aware

Would these provide effective protection in a broadband environment?

Thanks!!
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IPGrunt
Guest
Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Reply with quote
broker@rock.com (Seeker) confessed in news:15e0bbff.0501200935.48c7eb17
@posting.google.com:

Quote:
I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
around)?

I also use the following freeware progs:

1)AVG as a free antivirus checker (2) Spybot (3) Ad-Aware

Would these provide effective protection in a broadband environment?

Thanks!!


No, you need a firewall to block malware at the gateway to your home/office
LAN, i.e., at the border router.

So, when you add broadband, insist that you get a router (or a WiFi hub) that
contains built-in firewall functionality utilizing "stateful packet
inspection". Properly configured, these firewalls can protect your home
system from bugs that attach to the Windows file sharing and other system
service ports.

-- ipgrunt
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Not-My-Real-Name
Guest
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:05 am    Post subject: Re: Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Reply with quote
"Seeker" <broker@rock.com> wrote in message
news:15e0bbff.0501200935.48c7eb17@posting.google.com...
Quote:
I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
around)?

I also use the following freeware progs:

1)AVG as a free antivirus checker (2) Spybot (3) Ad-Aware

Would these provide effective protection in a broadband environment?

Thanks!!

Define effective. To me that wouldn't be effective.

If you connect your PC to the Internet directly, insure you disable File and
Printer sharing and the "Client for Microsoft Networks". Just use plain
jane TCP/IP. This will protect you a bit more. Also don't leave your
machine running 7/24.
Shut it off when you're not using it.

As others have mentioned, it's best to have an external Hardware Firewall
located between your PC and the Cable/DSL/Broadband modem (<$50).

Also consider visiting the Windows update site daily and keep your machine
spyware clean with tools like Ad-aware and Spybot.
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Woody
Guest
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:13 am    Post subject: Re: Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Reply with quote
Even with dial up you should have a firewall. If you can't spring for a
router then consider one of the free firewalls like Zonealarm...


"Seeker" <broker@rock.com> wrote in message
news:15e0bbff.0501200935.48c7eb17@posting.google.com...
Quote:
I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
around)?

I also use the following freeware progs:

1)AVG as a free antivirus checker (2) Spybot (3) Ad-Aware

Would these provide effective protection in a broadband environment?

Thanks!!
Back to top
elaich
Guest
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:16 am    Post subject: Re: Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Reply with quote
broker@rock.com (Seeker) wrote in
news:15e0bbff.0501200935.48c7eb17@posting.google.com:

Quote:
I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
around)?

Firewalls do not stop viruses and worms, as they are always delivered by
trusted apps or in something you downloaded. The best use of a software
firewall is to alert the user to connection attempts from inside out. A
firewall is no substitute for safe computing and being security minded.

I am using Sygate (free version) and am very happy with it.
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John Thomas Smith
Guest
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:46 am    Post subject: Re: Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Reply with quote
On 20 Jan 2005 09:35:07 -0800, broker@rock.com (Seeker) wrote:
Quote:
I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation

You need a firewall even with dial up

I can't remember the name, but there is a particular virus
(trojan, whatever it's called) that will randomly scan the
'net for open ports... and if you don't have a firewall and
you are dialed up via modem, you have open ports

I know 'cause I got infected and had to wipe my drive to
install everything fresh


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith
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optikl
Guest
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 6:11 pm    Post subject: Re: Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Reply with quote
Seeker wrote:
Quote:
I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
around)?

I also use the following freeware progs:

1)AVG as a free antivirus checker (2) Spybot (3) Ad-Aware

Would these provide effective protection in a broadband environment?

Thanks!!

At the very least, you should block all unsolicited inbound traffic,
assuming you aren't running some legitimate service that requires this.
If you're not running XP and able to use that included firewall, look at
a cheap router, which provides NAT. There are plenty of freeware
personal firewalls out there, but most require playing with them a bit
to get the configuration down pat.
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Seeker
Guest
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:43 pm    Post subject: Re: Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Reply with quote
Hi thanks for the great reply! You wrotte:

"If you connect your PC to the Internet directly, insure you disable
File and
Printer sharing and the "Client for Microsoft Networks". Just use
plain
jane TCP/IP. This will protect you a bit more. Also don't leave
your
machine running 7/24."

Is disabling this just a matter of going into your control panel -
what exactly is TCP / IP?

You also wrote:
"As others have mentioned, it's best to have an external Hardware
Firewall
located between your PC and the Cable/DSL/Broadband modem"

Is this a piece of hardware that you would plug your broadband cable
into and then run another cable to your PC? Why does it give more
protection than software alone?

Thanks!
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Not-My-Real-Name
Guest
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 12:35 am    Post subject: Re: Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Reply with quote
"Seeker" <broker@rock.com> wrote in message
news:15e0bbff.0501211043.784cab30@posting.google.com...
Quote:
Hi thanks for the great reply! You wrotte:

"If you connect your PC to the Internet directly, insure you disable
File and
Printer sharing and the "Client for Microsoft Networks". Just use
plain
jane TCP/IP. This will protect you a bit more. Also don't leave
your
machine running 7/24."

Is disabling this just a matter of going into your control panel -
what exactly is TCP / IP?


You have to adjust this in on the Network properties of your Ethernet card
on your PC.

Assuming XP -> START -> Control Panel -> Network Connections.
Right click on your Ethernet NIC and select properties.
Uncheck the Microsoft Networking and File and Printer sharing options.

If you DON'T have a home LAN and you DON'T plan on using Microsoft
networking/File Sharing then turn this OFF!
It's useless to you and exposes you to vulnerabilities All you need is
TCP/IP.

TCP/IP is the "language" used by your computer to communicate with each
other on the Internet.

Psst. www.google.com is your friend.

Quote:
You also wrote:
"As others have mentioned, it's best to have an external Hardware
Firewall
located between your PC and the Cable/DSL/Broadband modem"

Is this a piece of hardware that you would plug your broadband cable
into and then run another cable to your PC? Why does it give more
protection than software alone?


Yes. see www.dlink.com or www.linksys.com or www.smc.com etc.

Why more, because it's not part of your PC and is a seperate dedicated
entity who's task is to protect your network.
Also, viruses and trojans now attack the popluar software firewalls
installed on your PC and disable them.
Also your PC 'may' take a bit of a performance "hit" by running software
firewalls on your PC.
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