I know its probably better to have a router (with its hardware firewall) between the PC and cable modem, but is it basically still okay to directly connect your PC to the modem? The PC has antivirus software, MS firewall in WinXP SP2, and MS Antispam tool.
Is it safe enough to directly connect your computer to a cable modem?
- Thread starter StormRider
- Start date
- Oct 25, 1999
- 29,528
- 415
- 126
Actually you should have a Router and a 3rd party comprehensive Software Firewall.
Link to: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.
However, "Secure enough" is a relative term. It depends on your surfing habits and on the whole scheme of software that is installed on your computer. Many software packages these have the nasty habit of Calling Home.
In any case, there are routers out there for $10.
Link to: Freeware Security suit for Internet Connection Protection.
:sun:
Link to: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.
However, "Secure enough" is a relative term. It depends on your surfing habits and on the whole scheme of software that is installed on your computer. Many software packages these have the nasty habit of Calling Home.
In any case, there are routers out there for $10.
Link to: Freeware Security suit for Internet Connection Protection.
:sun:
I'm of the opinion that NO. It is not safe enough.
Only because the amount of dilligence and work to protect a publically accessible internet address is more than most can and should tackle.
Only because the amount of dilligence and work to protect a publically accessible internet address is more than most can and should tackle.
I never recommend a computer being directly connected to the internet, even with a software firewall. There's always plenty of known holes with software firewalls. Plus, the cost of a SOHO router nowadays is cheaper than the amount of time and frustration to properly secure the computer anyway.
AT LEAST use zone alarm instead of the windows built in firewall. Pick up a cheap router or use an old computer and put linux on it and use that as a router/firewall.
I've been running my computer directly connected to a cable modem for about 2 years and everything's been fine. I run sygate and avg, system has been clean and as fast as when I formatted it a year ago. Only thing adaware reports are cookies. And I use IE.
It isn't the cost that's the problem. It's my time. This weekend I help set up a computer system I built for a needy co-worker. He got Comcast cable. I brought along a Netgear 614 v2 router I got from CompUSA that I bought earlier last year but never used (it was so cheap after rebates that I bought one even though I didn't need one).
Well, the Comast guy came and set things up. I was planning on setting up the router after he left but he said to leave the computer on for 24 hours "directly connected" to the modem so Comcast can finish setting things up. After that period of time, it would be okay to hook up the router. I thought that was a little weird.
The problem is that I live about 1 hour away from this guy and I didn't want to go up there next weekend to set up the router and was hoping that WinXP SP2's firewall, AVG's anti-virus, and MS's beta anti-spam stuff was good enough.
Well, the Comast guy came and set things up. I was planning on setting up the router after he left but he said to leave the computer on for 24 hours "directly connected" to the modem so Comcast can finish setting things up. After that period of time, it would be okay to hook up the router. I thought that was a little weird.
The problem is that I live about 1 hour away from this guy and I didn't want to go up there next weekend to set up the router and was hoping that WinXP SP2's firewall, AVG's anti-virus, and MS's beta anti-spam stuff was good enough.
2 hours is generous. I have heard a fresh XP install on broadband lasts about 12 minutes
SP 1 might add more time, but not much. SP2 helps alot because it adds the firewall.
SP 1 might add more time, but not much. SP2 helps alot because it adds the firewall.
Originally posted by: skyking
That is bogus advice from the comcast guy. Clone the computer's MAC address to the router, hook it all up.
What happens if the power goes out in that 24 hours? Does the sky fall, or what?
Yeah, I thought that advice was weird. I wish I had just gone ahead and set up the router after he left. Now I have this thing hanging over my shoulder.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 24K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 19K
-
-
-
Facebook
Twitter