Cable Modem - Secure or NOT???

[spoma]

I am going to be getting a cable modem through charter and I was not sure if this is secure or if I need to install some type of a firewall? If I do, what is a good software security program that I should be putting on my pc?

 

[virulent]

you should always have some sort of protection. ie firewall(s). if you go w/ a router, they have a built in firewall. if a software based solution is for you, then sygate is a good product.

 

[Nothinman]

You should never trust the ISP or network connection to secure you, it's just asking for trouble.

 

[cipher00]

Most ISPs I've dealt with want to know all they can about you. :disgust: I barely trust them enough to send a personal check for my service.

If it's just you, then at least a software firewall is called for. I like ZoneAlarm Pro, but others have different opinions. Regular ZoneAlarm is free; read about it here somewheres.

 

[sml]

If you take a closer look at your cable modem provider's AUP, you will see they basically claim no responsibility for your network security whatsoever. Understand that cable IP blocks are ripe targets for hackers, as they can usually penetrate machines with relative ease and use them to bounce between networks to cover their tracks more effectively. I'd recomend getting a hardware-based firewall/router such as something from LinkSys or SMC or some other SOHO-class product. In addition, you should run personal firewall software on your desktop machines and anti-virus software, and make sure to keep it up to date! Check out www.grisoft.com for good free antivirus software [AVG anti-virus] HTH.

-sean