You need to use the Windows Wizard to setup an Internet Connection.
When you run the Network Setup Wizard, you are given the following five
choices for connecting your home or small office network to the Internet:
This computer connects directly to the Internet. The other computers on my
network connect to the Internet through this computer.
This network configuration uses Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) to share
this computer's Internet connection with the rest of the computers on your
network. As this illustration shows, this computer, called the ICS host
computer, is connected to the Internet. Communications to and from the
Internet to and from all the computers on your network are sent through this
computer. For more information about using ICS with different network
configurations, see To connect your computers together.
This computer connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or
through another computer on my network.
This computer is part of a home or small office network that connects to the
Internet through a residential gateway or through another computer on the
network. A residential gateway is a hardware device through which the
computers on the network connect to the Internet. Typically, a DSL or cable
modem is connected to the residential gateway, which is connected to an
Ethernet hub, as this illustration shows. Internet communication travels
through the residential gateway to all of the computers on the network.
If you have an ICS host computer (another computer on your network that
shares its Internet connection), this computer can send and receive e-mail
and access the Web as if it were connected directly to the Internet. This
illustration shows this computer connected to the Internet through an ICS
host computer.
This computer connects to the Internet directly or through a network hub.
Other computers on my network also connect to the Internet directly or
through a hub.
We do not recommend this network configuration. It exposes all computers on
the network directly to the Internet, creating potential security problems.
Instead of this, use a secure host device, such as a residential gateway or a
computer running Windows XP with ICS enabled.
This computer connects directly to the Internet. I do not have a network yet.
Select this option if you only have one computer and it has an Internet
connection as shown in this illustration.
This computer belongs to a network that does not have an Internet connection.
Select this option if you have two or more computers networked together, but
do not have an Internet connection as shown in this illustration of an
Ethernet network. You can also have a home or small office network with the
same configuration using a home phoneline network adapter (HPNA) or wireless
adapters. If you have different network adapter types, such as Ethernet,
HPNA, or wireless devices, installed in your computer, the Network Setup
Wizard can create a network bridge so that all of the computers in your
network can communicate.
In Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Firewall is enabled by
default for all network and Internet connections. Windows Firewall helps
protect your computers from intrusions from the Internet. You can also
download and install a firewall of your own choosing. To enable file and
printer sharing, open Windows Firewall in Control Panel, click the Exceptions
tab, and then select File and Printer Sharing.
To open Windows Firewall, click Start, click Control Panel, and then
double-click Windows Firewall.
Also note: You are exposing your PC to unnecessary risk by failing to
install Anti Virus applications prior to getting onto the internet. Get
hold of one, if you can't afford to pay for one, try one of the Free
Applications that are included in Magazine Cover CDs.
