sharing a broadband connection--"is it safe?"; was re: networking a satellite connection; for those of us who can't....

[WannaBeGeek]

A sincere "thank you" to those of you who responded to my post about sharing a satellite connection. My ISP wants me to buy an $800 "network server" before I can share 'net access across more than one computer. I want to set up a home network and be able to access the net from the upstairs and downstairs simultaneously.

One of the replies mentioned something that made me a little nervous--something about "port scanning"--and how to render it impossible. Brings to mind the question of whether or not my ISP will be able to know that I have networked my connection. I understand that by networking my connection, I am defrauding my ISP; at the same time, I really think that charging more to share one connection than it costs to set up a second connection entirely is outrageous. Broadband providers really have us over a barrel, huh? Well, I wont launch into arguments about moral relativism here, since I don't believe in it anyway. I'm willing to accept the consequences of dealing with my ISP if they do try to catch people doing this. My question is: is it possible for them to see that I have networked my connection? If so, what is the likelihood that they will find out? More to the point, can I prevent them from doing so? Finally, how do I keep them from snooping?

 

[fergiboy]

I have a Netgear rt311 router, it basically prevents anyone from telling that there are more than one computer at my location because it blocks NetBios from going outside the network. One time my friend was at my house and disabled the NetBios filter and when he went home I found that my printer had a little message for me. I am sure that you can configure your p133 to do the same job as any router.