Broadband Security

[rustyfender04]

Hi all,

I'm fairly new to DSL broadband, and I was wondering if I have enough
security to stay online 24/7. I am running XP Home with all the updates
installed, plus I keep Zone Alarm updated too.

I use Malware Bytes, and Super Anti-Spyware scanners, plus Spybot S&D, as
well as Spy Ware Blaster.

I only have this one PC, so I was wondering if I am OK without a router/
stand alone firewall combo.


Regards

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm fairly new to DSL broadband, and I was wondering if I have enough
security to stay online 24/7. I am running XP Home with all the updates
installed, plus I keep Zone Alarm updated too.

I use Malware Bytes, and Super Anti-Spyware scanners, plus Spybot S&D, as
well as Spy Ware Blaster.

I only have this one PC, so I was wondering if I am OK without a router/
stand alone firewall combo.

Spend the $40 to $100 (US) and get a router.

The more layers to your security - the better.

As for all the scanners - unless you purchased the full versions - most of
them contain no resident protection - just cleanup. What AntiVirus are you
running.

My basic recommendation is NAT router, Windows Firewall, good/updated
frequently AV, good backups and common sense.

 

[Leythos]

I only have this one PC, so I was wondering if I am OK without a router/
stand alone firewall combo.

If you don't value the data or time to rebuild your computer, then you
can work without any barrier devices.

If you value the data or time you would spend rebuilding your computer,
then consider the actual cost (including value of your time) and
consider purchasing a device that provides the most protection in that
cost range.

Since a cost to the repair shop, to have some flunky format and
reinstall can be more than $100, you should consider trying to find a
NAT device with as many protection features added as possible - some
vendors call these things firewalls, far from it, but they do provide a
great deal of protection from unsolicited traffic.

 

[rustyfender04]

Thanks.

I am using Avast! free for my firewall, since the Windows firewall only
protects one way. I'm not familiar with a NAT router. Is that something like
a gateway modem, or a Linksys router?

I am using an older Westell 2100 modem, and I presume it has no built-in
firewall.

 

[rustyfender04]

If you don't value the data or time to rebuild your computer, then you
can work without any barrier devices.

You mean my software firewall (Zone Alarm free) is not going to protect me?

 

[Tom [Pepper] Willett]

Linksys, among others, makes NAT routers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_address_translation

Check the documentation that came with your modem to see if it does have a
firewall.

: Thanks.
:
: I am using Avast! free for my firewall, since the Windows firewall only
: protects one way. I'm not familiar with a NAT router. Is that something
like
: a gateway modem, or a Linksys router?
:
: I am using an older Westell 2100 modem, and I presume it has no built-in
: firewall.
:
: : > rustyfender04 wrote:
: >> I'm fairly new to DSL broadband, and I was wondering if I have enough
: >> security to stay online 24/7. I am running XP Home with all the updates
: >> installed, plus I keep Zone Alarm updated too.
: >>
: >> I use Malware Bytes, and Super Anti-Spyware scanners, plus Spybot S&D,
as
: >> well as Spy Ware Blaster.
: >>
: >> I only have this one PC, so I was wondering if I am OK without a
router/
: >> stand alone firewall combo.
: >
: > Spend the $40 to $100 (US) and get a router.
: >
: > The more layers to your security - the better.
: >
: > As for all the scanners - unless you purchased the full versions - most
of
: > them contain no resident protection - just cleanup. What AntiVirus are
: > you running.
: >
: > My basic recommendation is NAT router, Windows Firewall, good/updated
: > frequently AV, good backups and common sense.
: >
: > --
: > Shenan Stanley
: > MS-MVP
: > --
: > How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
: >
: >
:
:

 

[rustyfender04]

Thanks. I'll read up on it (NAT).

My brother gave his modem after going offline, so I don't have any
documentation with it. I'll ask him to look for the papers ASAP.

Just in the last few minutes, I went to Shields Up and tested my ZA
firewall. All was well, except that I failed the ping test. Could it be that
the modem replied to the ping and not ZA? I have every thing set to high in
ZA.

 

[Jim]

Thanks. I'll read up on it (NAT).

My brother gave his modem after going offline, so I don't have any
documentation with it. I'll ask him to look for the papers ASAP.

Just in the last few minutes, I went to Shields Up and tested my ZA
firewall. All was well, except that I failed the ping test. Could it be
that the modem replied to the ping and not ZA? I have every thing set to
high in ZA.

Linksys, among others, makes NAT routers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_address_translation

Check the documentation that came with your modem to see if it does have
a
firewall.

: Thanks.
:
: I am using Avast! free for my firewall, since the Windows firewall only
: protects one way. I'm not familiar with a NAT router. Is that something
like
: a gateway modem, or a Linksys router?
:
: I am using an older Westell 2100 modem, and I presume it has no
built-in
: firewall.
:
: : > rustyfender04 wrote:
: >> I'm fairly new to DSL broadband, and I was wondering if I have
enough
: >> security to stay online 24/7. I am running XP Home with all the
updates
: >> installed, plus I keep Zone Alarm updated too.
: >>
: >> I use Malware Bytes, and Super Anti-Spyware scanners, plus Spybot
S&D,
as
: >> well as Spy Ware Blaster.
: >>
: >> I only have this one PC, so I was wondering if I am OK without a
router/
: >> stand alone firewall combo.
: >
: > Spend the $40 to $100 (US) and get a router.
: >
: > The more layers to your security - the better.
: >
: > As for all the scanners - unless you purchased the full versions -
most
of
: > them contain no resident protection - just cleanup. What AntiVirus
are
: > you running.
: >
: > My basic recommendation is NAT router, Windows Firewall, good/updated
: > frequently AV, good backups and common sense.
: >
: > --
: > Shenan Stanley
: > MS-MVP

No, a modem just converts from one type of hardware signal to another. The
firewall usually is the software which blocks or accepts ping requests.
Jim

 

[Nate Grossman]

Thanks.

I am using Avast! free for my firewall, since the Windows firewall only
protects one way.

HUH? Avast has a free firewall?

Don't think so.

 

[rustyfender04]

Opps!

I beg your pardon. I meant to say Zone Alarm, lol.

 

[rustyfender04]

I just disabled my LAN and went online with my backup dialup account and
tried the test again.

This time I passed.

Comments?

Thanks. I'll read up on it (NAT).

My brother gave his modem after going offline, so I don't have any
documentation with it. I'll ask him to look for the papers ASAP.

Just in the last few minutes, I went to Shields Up and tested my ZA
firewall. All was well, except that I failed the ping test. Could it be
that the modem replied to the ping and not ZA? I have every thing set to
high in ZA.

Linksys, among others, makes NAT routers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_address_translation

Check the documentation that came with your modem to see if it does have
a
firewall.

: Thanks.
:
: I am using Avast! free for my firewall, since the Windows firewall
only
: protects one way. I'm not familiar with a NAT router. Is that
something
like
: a gateway modem, or a Linksys router?
:
: I am using an older Westell 2100 modem, and I presume it has no
built-in
: firewall.
:
: : > rustyfender04 wrote:
: >> I'm fairly new to DSL broadband, and I was wondering if I have
enough
: >> security to stay online 24/7. I am running XP Home with all the
updates
: >> installed, plus I keep Zone Alarm updated too.
: >>
: >> I use Malware Bytes, and Super Anti-Spyware scanners, plus Spybot
S&D,
as
: >> well as Spy Ware Blaster.
: >>
: >> I only have this one PC, so I was wondering if I am OK without a
router/
: >> stand alone firewall combo.
: >
: > Spend the $40 to $100 (US) and get a router.
: >
: > The more layers to your security - the better.
: >
: > As for all the scanners - unless you purchased the full versions -
most
of
: > them contain no resident protection - just cleanup. What AntiVirus
are
: > you running.
: >
: > My basic recommendation is NAT router, Windows Firewall,
good/updated
: > frequently AV, good backups and common sense.
: >
: > --
: > Shenan Stanley
: > MS-MVP

No, a modem just converts from one type of hardware signal to another.
The firewall usually is the software which blocks or accepts ping
requests.
Jim

 

[rustyfender04]

Well, I guess I was mistaken.

Check out the specs here...
http://dsl.evirtualworld.com/pdf/westell_2100_datasheet.pdf

It seems I have a router after all, but I don't know much about changing the
settings & such.

 

[Twayne]

Well, I guess I was mistaken.

Check out the specs here...
http://dsl.evirtualworld.com/pdf/westell_2100_datasheet.pdf

It seems I have a router after all, but I don't know much about
changing the settings & such.

Linksys, among others, makes NAT routers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_address_translation

Check the documentation that came with your modem to see if it does
have a firewall.

Thanks.

I am using Avast! free for my firewall, since the Windows firewall
only protects one way. I'm not familiar with a NAT router. Is that
something like a gateway modem, or a Linksys router?

I am using an older Westell 2100 modem, and I presume it has no
built-in firewall.

The 2100 IS a NAT router as shown in this exceprt from:
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/6096

PPPoE Passthrough capabilities. If you are using a separate PPPoE client
the modem will allow the other PPPoE client to negotiate the session
transparently. Section Section 2 for more details.
Full NAT (Network Address Translation) capabilities
Built in DHCP Server (Default Modem IP - 192.168.1.254, Subnet Mask -
255.255.255.0, DHCP Address Range - 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.253)

 

[rustyfender04]

The PC is handling the PPPoE from what I can tell.

DSL is fairly new to me, so I am learning on the fly.

Well, I guess I was mistaken.

Check out the specs here...
http://dsl.evirtualworld.com/pdf/westell_2100_datasheet.pdf

It seems I have a router after all, but I don't know much about
changing the settings & such.

Linksys, among others, makes NAT routers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_address_translation

Check the documentation that came with your modem to see if it does
have a firewall.

Thanks.

I am using Avast! free for my firewall, since the Windows firewall
only protects one way. I'm not familiar with a NAT router. Is that
something like a gateway modem, or a Linksys router?

I am using an older Westell 2100 modem, and I presume it has no
built-in firewall.

The 2100 IS a NAT router as shown in this exceprt from:
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/6096

PPPoE Passthrough capabilities. If you are using a separate PPPoE client
the modem will allow the other PPPoE client to negotiate the session
transparently. Section Section 2 for more details.
Full NAT (Network Address Translation) capabilities
Built in DHCP Server (Default Modem IP - 192.168.1.254, Subnet Mask -
255.255.255.0, DHCP Address Range - 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.253)