Looking for a way to protect my computer on the internet

[Neptune3000]

Greeting gents and ladies.

I am looking for a way to protect my computer on the internet, primarily from hackers.

So far, I have a hardware router (SMC Barricade) w/ built in hardware firewall, and i use Norton internet security and AV.

I ran Norton?s internet security check and it said my ports were open to hackers, but everything else was secure.

Therefore, I would like to know:

Is there a way for me to mask my IP?

When frequenting message boards, how do I protect myself from users being able to hack into my computer? I use to visit a message board where this occurred, so I left soon after.

I am basically looking for anyway to prevent my computer from being hacked, and the ability to surf the net anonymously.

Thanks

 

[phisrow]

If you want annonymity, you need some sort of proxy.

www.anonymizer.com has the slick, shiney, commercial and I'm-not-wholly-sure-how-trustworthy offering in the genre.
On other side, we have the slightly DIY but much more respectable Tor (http://tor.eff.org/)

Either of those should keep those you interact with from knowning your IP without considerable trouble. I'd recommend the latter; but you are doomed to be free, so choose.

This will only do you so much good, however. Targeted hacks can be an issue; but most desktop machines that get r00ted are hit either by trojan horses, or by random attacks launched en masse.

Therefore, you must be careful about what you run(no dodgey programs, no IE, a decent antivirus would be a good idea), so as to avoid trojan horses, spyware, etc.
You ought also to disable any uneeded services that are listening to ports. The more stuff you are running facing the network, the worse your chances are.
You should also have a good firewall, so as to protect what you must run.

 

[n0cmonkey]

No, there is no way to completely mask you IP.

Checklist:

• Use a router/NAT device. CHECK
• Use decent anti-virus software, and make sure it is up to date. CHECK
• Use a software firewall on the machine. CHECK
• Use Microsoft Autoupdates, or check daily for new updates. CHECK
• Use a strong password, or no password. ??
• Use a limited user account, nto an admin account, for day to day use. ??
• Consider using an alternative browser, especially when browsing less trustworthy sites. ??

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: Neptune3000

Is there a way for me to mask my IP?

Proxies, but they're generally slow. More so if you want to bounce your connection through several countries or something.

When frequenting message boards, how do I protect myself from users being able to hack into my computer? I use to visit a message board where this occurred, so I left soon after.

On boards (like anandtech) you only communicate witht the server, so an ordinary user cannot determine your IP. The owner of the board could do it, or anyone else with root on the server, but that's likely to be only a short list of people.

 

[P0ldy]

Don't be so paranoid about hackers like commercials and the media would like to make you. Having your IP address is limited in usefulness. You've got protection from the main problems already. Now just use common sense (don't use IE, don't open attachments from unknown people, etc.) and you'll be fine.

 

[n0cmonkey]

don't use IE

Snake oil, a placebo at best.

don't open attachments from unknown people

Or from people you do know. If they get infected with a self e-mailing virus/worm, they'll probably send it to everyone in their address book. Chances are, your friends have you in their address books.

 

[mechBgon]

OP: you using port forwarding, or put your system in the router's DMZ or something? I'm trying to think why your ports would show as open despite a router.

When frequenting message boards, how do I protect myself from users being able to hack into my computer?

You have to pay for a subscription. That removes the HACK ME NOW!!! button from your profile. *clicks it some more... whoa, interesting stuff on this guy's hard drive :Q *












Refer to n0c's list there. Most people are their own worst enemy... I think the biggest problem with Windows anymore is the company it keeps. Looking at the latest writeups on viruses every day, so many of them are going for the weak link in the security, the keyboard-to-chair interface unit.

 

[JackMDS]

This thread looks like a strange "Apples and Pears" comparison.

If your system is set with both Router and Software Firewall, and it reports this: "I ran Norton?s internet security check and it said my ports were open to hackers, but everything else was secure".

Then something is configured wrong on your computer, and it is Nothing to do with your IP number.

99% of Internet users that are not running an On-line Bank (etc.), would be well protected with the combo Router Software Firewall set correctly.

Link to: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

Link to: Freeware Security suit for Internet Connection Protection.

:sun: