Firewall Needed! Hardware Only!

LibKill | 09-05-03 | LibKill

[ken in texas]

Many of us have had good success with Linksys routers.

You said that you have DSL... is this a PPPOE setup? If so, some folks have had problems with Linksys and PPPOE. I had to switch my church from Linksys to a D-Link router to correct connection problems because that provider used PPPOE.

[Poohbah]

"What mischief could someone do who logged into another's router using the default password? Just curious."

Open ports to allow attacks inside the routed network, scramble routing tables (good luck ever seeing your data again), install malware on the router, that sort of thing.

[Cultural Jihad]

Have you logged into your router using a browser? Do so and look at the port-forwarding options.

[Cboldt]

Yes, you need to worry. Your router can close the telnet port to the outside world, or, in the alternative, diasable the telnet service on your machine (make it so nobody can telnet it, not even YOU)

[Robert_Paulson2]

get a cheap box... intel.
install redhat 9 and TWO network cards.
one in, one out.
close all the ports, except one... end of story.
cost?
used computer and two netcards? i dunno... $120

[nobdysfool]

I installed a Linksys router with a hardware firewall on my brother's system for his RoadRunner connection, and backed it up with ZoneAlarm as a software 'second firewall". Gibson Research's test said there was no computer at the IP address of his router. I bought it at Best Buy for about $79. 4-Port, so you can hook up more than one computer to it. Cable connection comes to Cable "modem", into LinkSys router, and the computer's ethernet card is attached to one of the ports with a jumper wire (Cat5e). He hasn't had a problem with it since.

[Wolverine]

http://pcnineoneone.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=220898/ut=411c642d5ded6868

EtherFast Cable/DSL Router With 4 10/100 Switched Ports

Manufacturer:	Linksys		Avg. Product Rating      Read 28 Reviews   Write a Review
Part Number:	BEFSR41
Lowest Price:	$ 43.00
Rebates:

[LibKill]

You said that you have DSL... is this a PPPOE setup? If so, some folks have had problems with Linksys and PPPOE. I had to switch my church from Linksys to a D-Link router to correct connection problems because that provider used PPPOE.

FRiend, I couldn't find 'PPPOE' with both hands and a flashlight. I have no idea if PPPOE is involved.

The internet provider is SBC.

[Robert_Paulson2]

dittos...

[nobdysfool]

Ping to post #46. yes you can. works great!

[Cultural Jihad]

Get the Linksys router. It's what I use - I had ZoneAlarm on top of it and it became apparent really quickly that I didn't need ZoneAlarm.

Even so, ZA does one thing which LinkSys can't. It can block outgoing internet connections from programs residing on your PCs.

[NYTexan]

If a static or dynamic IP addres are located a hacker first pings default settings. (so I'm told)

[supercat]

Actually, what I'd like to see would be a combination hardware/software firewall setup so that the software firewall encrypts data going between the computer and the hardware firewall, based upon the application trying to send the data. It would seem that such a setup would make it more difficult for rogue applications to send data to the outside world (though unfortunately I think IE "plug-ins" and ActiveX create a huge security hole). A hardware firewall by itself, without software assistance, would have no way of knowing whether an outgoing packet was being sent by an authorized application, and without some form of encryption between the software and hardware firewalls it would be possible for a rogue application to simply bypass the software firewall and get out through the hardware one.

[LibKill]

Even so, ZA does one thing which LinkSys can't. It can block outgoing internet connections from programs residing on your PCs.

Good point. I have busted some programs who wanted to "call home" with ZA.

I guess I'll keep ZA, but what really bothers me is if it crashes there is nothing between me and the hackers.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Just as an FYI, here's the first page of the Google search for
VSMON errors

Good luck!

[Wolverine]

Online free virus checker cleaner, this is excellent.
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

[Prodigal Son]

Reason I asked was because I have Norton and I have not a clue about all this shite. If Norton is bad, I'd like to know from someone. The second I got my broadband connection (literally the second) I got hit with trojan horses and attempts to access my computer. I was just setting up my account- you know? I hadn't installed Norton at that point yet. I had it in the box, but figured "well, I'll at least set up my internet connection first". Wrong. My computer crashed- I had to unplug. I installed Norton and everything's been fine since. But I get the suspicion that if someone wants to get into my 'puter, Norton's not going to slow them down. That's why I asked.

[w_over_w]

bttt

[Cultural Jihad]

What's your OS? WindowsXP comes with a built-in software firewall, but it kills all file- and print-sharing on your LAN side, too, as well as the abilty to send files through such services as Messenger.

[supercat]

BTW, is there any way to disable auto-startup of CD's/DVD's under Windows XP?