Cable Modem questions

[compudog]

Just hooked up SurfBoard SB4101 through Comcast. Very fast connection. Connected to my SMC Barricade Router. All PC's on network have access to the connection. All PC's are running Win98SE. I have DHCP enabled on the router. Just hooked up the connections (Ethernet & cable) and away it went! How important is it to install a software firewall with this configuration? I have ZoneAlarm, but not installed. Will the Barricade stop incoming traffic from nefarious individuals without ZoneAlarm, or would it be best to install it?

 

[JackMDS]

In general, security issues involve:

1. Unauthorized Internet traffic coming in (from the Internet to your computer).
2. Unauthorized Information going out (from your Hard Drive to some one else Web Server).

The latter is done mainly by programs that are ?calling home?. Unfortunately, the amount of programs that are calling home is growing by the day.

The Router?s firewall secures mainly the Incoming traffic, to secure the Outgoing aspect you need to add Software firewall.

Thus, many Router owners use the combination of Hardware, Software firewall.

Popular software firewall package is ZoneAlarm (free).

ZoneAlarm Download.

You can check your system's security here, log to the following page, scroll down, and click on Shields Up.

Gibson Default Page.

Gibson Default Page.