LAN and Accessing the Internet

  • Thread starter Thread starter sam
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sam

Hi,

I have 2 computers that are connnected to each other by LAN and I access the
net with both of them with files sharing on. Does this make it easy for
hackers to access my computers ?

Thanks for any replies

Sam
 
sam said:
Hi,

I have 2 computers that are connnected to each other by LAN and I
access the net with both of them with files sharing on. Does this
make it easy for hackers to access my computers ?
Click to expand...

You are on the Internet.
That makes it easier.
You have possibly OPEN file shares.
That makes it easier.
If you are asking this question, that makes it easier. heh

Assuming you have broadband Internet access (Cable Modem, DSL, etc.)..
You should look into a router with a hardware firewall. That way you share
your internet with 1 to 255 computers at any given time and you have the
added protection of a firewall. You also want to make sure you do the
following:

1) Download, install, update and use the following anti-spyware apps:
Lavasoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/
Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/
SpywareBlaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

2) Keep your antivirus software updated!
Do not have Antivirus Software installed? ARGH!
These are free:
AVG 6.0 - http://tinyurl.com/eod
avast! 4 - http://tinyurl.com/ct9p
AntiVir - http://www.free-av.com/

3) Keep windows patched!
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

And - if you don't want to go the router.. uhm.. route - try one of these:

4) Consider installing/using a firewall.

Have XP?
To enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall:
1. Open Network Connections
2. Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet
connection that you want to protect, and then,
under Network Tasks, click Change settings of
this connection.
On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection
Firewall, select one of the following:
- To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF),
select the Protect my computer and network
by limiting or preventing access to this computer
from the Internet check box.
- To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the
Protect my computer and network by limiting or
preventing access to this computer from the
Internet check box.

Don't have XP or want more?
ZoneAlarm (FREE and up)
http://www.zonelabs.com/
Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (FREE and up)
http://www.kerio.com/
Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (FREE and up)
http://www.agnitum.com/
Sygate Personal Firewall (FREE and up)
http://smb.sygate.com/
Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/
BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
http://blackice.iss.net/
Tiny Personal Firewall (~$39.00)
http://www.tinysoftware.com/

Notice that a software firewall will actually limit your internal networking
more (and be less effective in your case) than the hardware version.

Good Luck!
 
Hi Sam. As Shenan explained, you need a properly configured firewall. The
job of a firewall is to manage tcp/ip traffic so that only authorized
traffic is allowed to enter or leave your network. If you are unsure, you
can visit a site such as http://scan.sygatetech.com/ to do a basic scan
which would report major vulnerabilities. --- Steve
 
Thanks for your reply

Shenan T. Stanley said:
You are on the Internet.
That makes it easier.
You have possibly OPEN file shares.
That makes it easier.
If you are asking this question, that makes it easier. heh

Assuming you have broadband Internet access (Cable Modem, DSL, etc.)..
You should look into a router with a hardware firewall. That way you share
your internet with 1 to 255 computers at any given time and you have the
added protection of a firewall. You also want to make sure you do the
following:

1) Download, install, update and use the following anti-spyware apps:
Lavasoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/
Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/
SpywareBlaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

2) Keep your antivirus software updated!
Do not have Antivirus Software installed? ARGH!
These are free:
AVG 6.0 - http://tinyurl.com/eod
avast! 4 - http://tinyurl.com/ct9p
AntiVir - http://www.free-av.com/

3) Keep windows patched!
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

And - if you don't want to go the router.. uhm.. route - try one of these:

4) Consider installing/using a firewall.

Have XP?
To enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall:
1. Open Network Connections
2. Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet
connection that you want to protect, and then,
under Network Tasks, click Change settings of
this connection.
On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection
Firewall, select one of the following:
- To enable Internet Connection Firewall (ICF),
select the Protect my computer and network
by limiting or preventing access to this computer
from the Internet check box.
- To disable Internet Connection Firewall, clear the
Protect my computer and network by limiting or
preventing access to this computer from the
Internet check box.

Don't have XP or want more?
ZoneAlarm (FREE and up)
http://www.zonelabs.com/
Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (FREE and up)
http://www.kerio.com/
Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (FREE and up)
http://www.agnitum.com/
Sygate Personal Firewall (FREE and up)
http://smb.sygate.com/
Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/
BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
http://blackice.iss.net/
Tiny Personal Firewall (~$39.00)
http://www.tinysoftware.com/

Notice that a software firewall will actually limit your internal networking
more (and be less effective in your case) than the hardware version.

Good Luck!


--
Shenan Stanley
"Just trying to help"
-------------------------
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http://tinyurl.com/fltf

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http://tinyurl.com/fkja

How do I go about posting an informative question?
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

How to use Google
http://www.google.com/help/basics.html
http://tinyurl.com/fkmc
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