Need some home network security help.

[bobbyZ34]

Hello everyone, new to this forum, it's been a great resource in specing out my new computer.

I just finished ordering all of the parts for my new computer. My previous computer is directly connected to my wireless router which is connected to my cable modem. Right now I've only got virus protection on my computers and encryption on the router. I want to make my home network safer. I've heard you can use a computer just as the firewall, so to say.

The old computer is a Compaq AP500 workstation, 400 MHz Pentium II, 512 Mb, 2 x 9 Gb SCSI disks, and it has been running 24 hrs/day for the last 3 years or so. Never a problem.

Questions:

1 - I would like to make this the main protector of the network, Would going to some form of Linux make it less suseptable to intruders?

2 - What are the proper terms I should be using, the better to search Google with, for what I'm trying to do.

3 - What are your recommendations for doing this type of setup.

When the new computer is built and running I plan on transfering everything off of the old one so formating it is what I'll be doing anyway. I don't need to reinstall WinXP Pro again, I wouldn't mind going LINUX. I've also got 2 laptops that roam the house.

Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Rob

 

[djdrastic]

Stay the hell away from XP / Windows

Format With Linux

Purchase a book like Hacking Linux / or Gardening Linux and run through it

 

[Kelemvor]

For home use you would probably be fine with some of the free Firelwall programs to put on each computer like ZoneAlarm or something similar. But I'm sure someone will pop in with some firewall softare to use on a stand alone box like that.

 

[skyking]

SME server will run on that.
smoothwall.
Try googling "linux firewall".
That box will run anything out there, most likely. Get two good NICS and you are set.

 

[SaintTigurius]

well u already have a firewall, thats your router.. but if you want to make it TOIGHT secure i would use LINUX, i now suse9.1 you can stup it up there its easy. Buy to find more infor i would hit up www.google.com/linux

 

[Woodie]

Another vote for SmoothWall (smoothwall.org)

 

[bobbyZ34]

Looking into smoothwall.org it shows that 2.0 Express doesn't support SCSI, the 3.0 Commercial version does.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Building Firewalls with OpenBSD and PF. $9.99, but it's the first edition, I think.

 

[JackMDS]

LOL.

I just opened my monthly Electrical Bill while reading this thread.

Cable DSL/Router usually takes 20W.

Computer at least 100w.

Where I live KWH goes for 14cent.

The 80W difference is 24hours x 80W x 30days = 57600W that is 57.6 KWH.

57.6 x .14= $8 a month more in electricity just for a Noisy Heat producing Firewall.

Wire only Router can be found for $15, so the first two months pays for the Router, and then you save $8 a month.

:sun:

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
LOL.

I just opened my monthly Electrical Bill while reading this thread.

Cable DSL/Router usually takes 20W.

Computer at least 100w.

Where I live KWH goes for 14cent.

The 80W difference is 24hours x 80W x 30days = 57600W that is 57.6 KWH.

57.6 x .14= $8 a month more in electricity just for a Noisy Heat producing Firewall.

Wire only Router can be found for $15, so the first two months pays for the Router, and then you save $8 a month.

:sun:

A VIA c3 system would be just barely above the router. With a maximum design power of just over 20 watts at 1.4GHz, the VIA C3 runs extremely cool and delivers very low levels of energy consumption. Add in a CF card and some memory and you have a low power high power solution.

 

[bobbyZ34]

Good point. I guess I'm looking at suggestions to make my network safe. If I can do without the other computer that should be cheaper.

Okay, would you just rely on the wireless router to be the firewall?

What kind of software would you load on your main computer besides virus protection?

Thanks, Rob

 

[n0cmonkey]

One of those Linksys home router things would be fine, especially if used with Windows XP firewall (or kerio, or ZA, or whatever you prefer). AVG is free for home use, and I think Panda has a free 1 year trial or something.

 

[JackMDS]

Like every thing else in life there is personal presences even in Security software.
So as an addition to n0cmonkey good list.:thumbsup:

Free Firewall: Link to: Kerio v215.

Kerio is very easy to configure, it is light on resources, and does what need to be done.

Free AntiVirus: AntiVir Personal Edition 6.22.09.09

Has very high rating for detecting Viruses, and does better then other Antivirus programs in blocking Trojans.

Free Adware: Ad-aware

Free AntiSpy: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta...-4C57-A8BD-DBF62EDA9671&displaylang=en

If you need Parental Control, to block certain aspect of the Internet.:Q

Free Parental Control: Parental Filter - block porn.

Or, and use Windows Host File for parental Control: Windows Host File- What is it and How to Mange it?

You can do some general reading here.

Link to: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

Link to: Internet infestation -Or, how you are getting Internet "Junk" in and compromise your Computer/Network?

Link to: Basic Steps in cleaning Internet "Junk".

:sun:

 

[bobbyZ34]

Thanks for all the resources JackMDS