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Protecting my PC from outside intruders

M

mooojojojo

Senior member
Hi. I have a Cable modem, and I share the internet connection across with my brother can use it. I simplly enabled the Windows sharing option to acheive that.

I also have Personal Firewall enabled in XP, but someone told me it's not too secure. So I tried running an app named Outpost (I think) but then no one on the LAN could use the internet. Can you guys recommend a simple firewall program (which actually works) which will let me still share the connection? Thanks.

Also - any other precautions I should take to make my PC secure? I have NAV2002 installed so that takes care of the virus issue I hope.
 
Originally posted by: mooojojojo
I also have Personal Firewall enabled in XP, but someone told me it's not too secure. So I tried running an app named Outpost (I think) but then no one on the LAN could use the internet. Can you guys recommend a simple firewall program (which actually works) which will let me still share the connection? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I agree the WinXP firewall is not up to stratch. However, all software firewalls require a fair amount of configuration to get them working fully. If you are not too comfortable in setting up a software firewall I'd recommend a router with NAT which should offer similar functionality at the same sort of price as a software firewall (I've heard mention of $40 routers stateside).

Aside from a firewall ensure you keep your virus definitions up to date, keep WinXP patched with all critical updates from MS Update and finally get SpyBot S&D or Adaware to protect from spyware.

 
Thanks! I know about hardware routers with firewalls. But at the moment I'm interested in just a simple software firewall application. 🙂 Can you recommend one? I remember seeing such an application mentioned here, but I can't recall the name..

What are Spybot and Adaware? Which one is better?
 
ZoneAlarm has a decent free firewall. However, since you can get a broadband router for $10-15 on a rebate deal almost any day of the week, I'd STRONGLY suggest you consider this alternative. It's also nice in the fact that, unlike ICS, a server machine doesn't have to be on all the time to allow other machine(s) access to the Internet.
 
Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn
ZoneAlarm has a decent free firewall. However, since you can get a broadband router for $10-15 on a rebate deal almost any day of the week, I'd STRONGLY suggest you consider this alternative. It's also nice in the fact that, unlike ICS, a server machine doesn't have to be on all the time to allow other machine(s) access to the Internet.
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Well I know all that.. and it seems a really good solution, however here in Bulgaria there are no cute deals like that, so I have to spend $47 + 20%VAT to get a decent (read basic) router 🙂. But thanks! ZoneAlarm it is. Will I still be able to share the connection with ICS? Regardless - I'll try it and see if it works 🙂.
 
Originally posted by: JackMDS
May be this can Help.

Link: AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

Link: AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

Link: Basic Protection for Broadband Internet Installation.

Protect yourself for free.

Free Firewall (The basic product is free); ZoneAlarm.

Free Adware (Get rid of Spies etc.): Ad-aware Standard.

Free Virus Protection: AntiVir®Personal Edition.
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Those links are golden, thanks!

I even learned how to bind File and Printer Sharing to NetBEUI, from the ezlan site. One question though - when I do this (bind the File sharing to NetBEUI) I'll still be able to share the internet connection, right? Lame question I know but what can I do... 🙂
 
Originally posted by: mooojojojo when I do this (bind the File sharing to NetBEUI) I'll still be able to share the internet connection, right? Lame question I know but what can I do... 🙂
Click to expand...
The binding relates only to local network sharing. TCP/IP will still work with the Intrenet connection.

 
Originally posted by: mooojojojo
What are Spybot and Adaware? Which one is better?
Click to expand...

Both applications are both used to detect 'spyware' and 'tracking cookies' - software which is installed on your machine without your permission or knowledge when you visit certain web sites. Spyware can track and report your internet movements, bombard you with p0rn pop-ups, that sort of nasty thing.

Out of them both I prefer SpyBot as it seems to get updated more often and also seems to pickup more offenders, but Adaware is just as good really.
 
I have had poor luck with the free zonealarm and ICS, but the zonealarm pro seems to have addressed this problem.
 
Yes, like skyking said.. I can't get to work ZoneAlarm with ICS.

When I have ZoneAlarm running, the other PC can't see the Internet. It wouldn't even see the LAN, but then I set its IP 192.168.0.39 to be in the trusted zone - now I could see the PC in the Network tab in Windows Exporer but still no internet sharing. Any ideas?

Actually I can set the entire LAN to be in the trusted zone by setting the NIC to Trusted (the cable modem is still hooked up to USB) and that won't affect the internet security provided by ZoneAlarm - am I right?
 
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