doo i needa firewall????

[n0cmonkey]

I ran adaware on my mom's computer and installed AVG (because its free) for her. I found 53+ things that adaware fixed and 9 viruses. She also had zone alarm so I dont think the adaware things were a big deal. But that is definitely a concern these days.

 

[astroview]

Goosemaster, I looked at your LAN diagram at your site

And I wanted to know what the setup was for your SmoothWall Firewall Machine? I'm interested in doing the same thing, but I don't want to do it with linux unless I have to. I don't have the time nor will to learn that OS (I've already tried and failed).

 

[Dreadogg]

<< ran adaware on my mom's computer and installed AVG (because its free) for her. I found 53+ things that adaware fixed and 9 viruses. She also had zone alarm so I dont think the adaware things were a big deal. But that is definitely a concern these days. >>

accually those nasty little spyware programs work with programs that already have access from your firewall, like iexplorer kazza etc....! I personally Have Norton running the antivirus software and firewall along with my router and I have never been hit once, my father on the other hand has just norton and his system gets hit with port scans all the time! I have went to dsl reports and other sites and ran security checks and they all came back golden! So I personally would recommend that you get your self a router and some software base firewall and antivirus software along with a good trojan scanner if you spend time in those warze groups!

 

[Yossarian]

Goosemaster wrote:



<< and if you are really paranoid, do what I did
>>



Your firewall is an actual brick wall? That's cool! 🙂

 

[Goosemaster]

Unfortunately, I am a college student so I have not time to go home and setup the smoothwall firewall box. I only have 1 extra box here(I am using Linux and 2kserver on that one and only have to drives...


I will probably set it up this coming week wednesday-sat. now that I am going home.

I guess if you really need this soon, you could check thier support documentation/forums/ and check the net for more info...even so. I assure though that after I do it, I'll be glad to help you out.




P.S. From what i've heard, the installation is automated, and the interface is of an x-windows (GUI) interface...so it is all point and click..



Good Luck

 

[astroview]

Thanks Goosemaster, I didn't realise that SmoothWall Firewall was a company, I thought it was just a nickname of yours. Their product sounds good, I might try it out. The question is, does it block incoming traffic only, or outgoing too?

Other posts lead me to believe that the benefit of firewalls in windows block outgoing stuff therefore stopping trojans/spyware. Does Smoothwall also do this, there site didn't seem to mention it, but I didn't have time to go into detail.

 

[Goosemaster]

well, actually, the best option for a home is both.


Many virsuses or hacks to a pc automatically install ZOnealarm....there goes your defense...


THe firewall really hver "opens" the data....just checks ports and open and concurrent connections, so you have a wall that either lets stuff in or out.....no if ands or buts about it.

THink of the Smoothwall as the big Fat tuff guy who is the bouncer at the club...

If he doesn't get you, his six year old with a bat hiding inside willl.....

 

[astroview]

Thanks for the info. The redundency of two firewalls sounds nice, but of course then you double your troubleshooting time if your lan is acting up. I will likely play with this at home this summer, but I wish I also had a copy of MS ISA firewall to try out.