Home networking and cable Internet security

[Eigil Krogh]

Hi

I have 3 PCs running Windoiws XP. They are all connected to the Internet via
Cable modem. They get their IP-Addres via DHCP from the ISP. Except for one,
that has a static IP-Address the addresses change randomly when the ISP DHCP
server changes them.

I want to use the 3 PCs in a home network to share files, printers etc.

I have McAfee Personal Firewall Plus and Norton Internet Security running on
the PCs (only 1 on each of course).

My problem is, that I can't figure out how to configure the security. On
each PC I can open for access for the IP-number of the two others and lock
all other IP-Adresses out, but then I have to reconfigure the firewalls each
time the DHCP server changes the IP-Adresses.

How/what do I do to avoid the configuration of the firewalls. The MAC
addresses instead of the IP_Addresse would be a solution, but I don't know
how to enter MAC addresses in NIS and McAfee Personal Firewall. Is that
possible ?


Thanks in advance

-- Eigil

 

[R. McCarty]

If your wiring can accommodate it, I would get a Router and then use a
manually assigned IP from the Router's range for each PC. You would
be better off using NAT (Network Address Translation), instead of a
leased DHCP address from the ISP.

You didn't mention your hardware (Assume Motorola Cable modem),
but Routers are very inexpensive now.

As to McAfee and NIS, most all have a Networking Tab where you
enter a "Trusted" IP or Range.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

"You should not enable the firewall on any connection that does
not directly connect to the Internet. ICF is not needed if you already
have a firewall or proxy server on your network in your home."

Use the Internet Connection Firewall
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/icf.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi
|
| I have 3 PCs running Windoiws XP. They are all connected to the Internet via
| Cable modem. They get their IP-Addres via DHCP from the ISP. Except for one,
| that has a static IP-Address the addresses change randomly when the ISP DHCP
| server changes them.
|
| I want to use the 3 PCs in a home network to share files, printers etc.
|
| I have McAfee Personal Firewall Plus and Norton Internet Security running on
| the PCs (only 1 on each of course).
|
| My problem is, that I can't figure out how to configure the security. On
| each PC I can open for access for the IP-number of the two others and lock
| all other IP-Adresses out, but then I have to reconfigure the firewalls each
| time the DHCP server changes the IP-Adresses.
|
| How/what do I do to avoid the configuration of the firewalls. The MAC
| addresses instead of the IP_Addresse would be a solution, but I don't know
| how to enter MAC addresses in NIS and McAfee Personal Firewall. Is that
| possible ?
|
|
| Thanks in advance
|
| -- Eigil

 

[Eigil Krogh]

Thaks for the answers !

1) It is the "Trusted IP" "Networking Tab" I'm using now. But as my PC gets
their IPs from the ISP DHCP server I have to reconfigure the firewalls each
time the DHCP server changes the IPs.

2) It is a wireless cable modem I have, Scientific Atlanta model DPR 2320
Cable Modem/Gateway.

 

[R. McCarty]

I just read the Specification sheet for your unit. You don't have to use
DHCP
you can manually assign IP ranges yourself. Once that is done, then it's
pretty
simple to configure Trusted Zones and set up your Workgroup.

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

I have 3 PCs running Windoiws XP. They are all connected to the Internet via
Cable modem. They get their IP-Addres via DHCP from the ISP. Except for one,
that has a static IP-Address the addresses change randomly when the ISP DHCP
server changes them.

I want to use the 3 PCs in a home network to share files, printers etc.

Eigil,

you already got good answers. Please have a look at
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxCable.htm for some more details.

Hans-Georg