Network Set-up with firewalls between computers

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Guest

Hi All ...

I would like to set up a basic network (hard-wired) between my computer and
those of my two girls (ages 13 & 16) to share my cable internet connection. I
use my computer for home office, hence I want to insure their activities
cannot impact my computer.

Kids tend to attract viruses, adware, etc, hence while I want them to have
internet access (and yes they are a lot more careful now than in the past)
I'm concerned.

I have cable modem, with a router, my unit and one girl with XP, the other
is Win2000. All hardwire in place. Is there a way to insure any trouble they
get into doesn't impact my computer, via a firewall or other method.

thanks in advance for any advice.
 
Probably the best way to do this is to get a router that supports "AP
Isolation" - each computer on the network is isolated into its own network
bin and cannot see or touch any other computer on the network. Many newer
routers support this.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
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Well, the best way is to try to prevent them from getting into trouble in
the first place. When any machine on any network becomes infected, it poses
a threat to other machines. In addition to the firewall which is probably
built into your router all machines can run an individual firewall plus
antivirus and antispyware. Also many routers have the capability to block
web sites by name or IP address. If you use static IP addresses, you can
easily edit the scope for any allowed exceptions in the XP firewall on your
machine to block incoming connections from the girl's machines.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP
 
Hi All ...

I would like to set up a basic network (hard-wired) between my computer and
those of my two girls (ages 13 & 16) to share my cable internet connection. I
use my computer for home office, hence I want to insure their activities
cannot impact my computer.

Kids tend to attract viruses, adware, etc, hence while I want them to have
internet access (and yes they are a lot more careful now than in the past)
I'm concerned.

I have cable modem, with a router, my unit and one girl with XP, the other
is Win2000. All hardwire in place. Is there a way to insure any trouble they
get into doesn't impact my computer, via a firewall or other method.

thanks in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...

A properly configured firewall will do what you want.

If your computer has a third-party firewall (Norton, McAfee,
PC-cillin, ZoneAlarm, etc), configure it to block access by all other
computers and networks.

If there's no third-party program and your computer has XP Service
Pack 2, turn on the Windows Firewall and specify "Don't allow
exceptions".

An even more certain solution (because it doesn't require any software
configuration) is to create two independent and isolated networks
using three home broadband routers. Connect the WAN port of router #1
to the cable modem. Connect the WAN ports of #2 and #3 to LAN ports
on #1. Connect the girls to one router, and connect your computer to
the other one.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
reggelv said:
Hi All ...

I would like to set up a basic network (hard-wired) between my computer
and
those of my two girls (ages 13 & 16) to share my cable internet
connection. I
use my computer for home office, hence I want to insure their activities
cannot impact my computer.

Kids tend to attract viruses, adware, etc, hence while I want them to have
internet access (and yes they are a lot more careful now than in the past)
I'm concerned.

I have cable modem, with a router, my unit and one girl with XP, the other
is Win2000. All hardwire in place. Is there a way to insure any trouble
they
get into doesn't impact my computer, via a firewall or other method.

thanks in advance for any advice.
Click to expand...


Install a firewall on each PC such as Zonealarm and don't let your daughters
sign on with Administrator rights - only give them a limited account which
helps prevent malicious programs being installed. Other than that, make
sure they have up to date anti virus such as Avast or AVG, install the free
Microsoft Antispyware. Run regular checks with Adaware and Spybot.

Easier solution would be to install something like Ubuntu on their PC's.
 
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