Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

Need firewall help (or do I)

Just got me a cable connection. I have read (very little) about firewalls, and know nothing about them. I guess my question is, can anyone recommend one or explain why I do or don't need one? Thanks,
Sterling

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 278

Linksys or SMB. I have to go or I would write more, so connect with my mind and read my thoughts.

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

The question is not whether you need a firewall, it is whether or not you choose software or hardware.

I purchased a LinkSYS 4Port Router that is awesome. It does it all, in addition to being my FireWall. It also acts as my DHCP server, meaning I do not have to deal with setting up one of my PC's as a server.

The coolest feature is MAC Address Cloning. If your Cable Provider is like mine, they record the MAC Address of your NIC and Cable Modem. In theory, this prevents home networking. The LinkSYS allows you to configure it so the MAC Address of your NIC gets broadcast out regardless of which machine is being used.

I picked mine up at BestBuy for $79.99. It has been worth every penny.

You can always go here and test how vulnerable you are.

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In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Them Twin Cities
Posts: 1758

If you don't get yourself a hardware firewall, at the VERY least go an download ZoneAlarm. it resides on your computer and sets itself up very well. it's fully functional, free, and easily customized. it's not going to stop anybody with an ounce of determination, but that also means it stops 90% of people who'd want into joe schmoe's computer.

http://www.zonealarm.com/zap26_za_grid.html

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

quote:

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Originally posted by GSR13
The question is not whether you need a firewall, it is whether or not you choose software or hardware.

I purchased a LinkSYS 4Port Router that is awesome. It does it all, in addition to being my FireWall. It also acts as my DHCP server, meaning I do not have to deal with setting up one of my PC's as a server.

The coolest feature is MAC Address Cloning. If your Cable Provider is like mine, they record the MAC Address of your NIC and Cable Modem. In theory, this prevents home networking. The LinkSYS allows you to configure it so the MAC Address of your NIC gets broadcast out regardless of which machine is being used.

I picked mine up at BestBuy for $79.99. It has been worth every penny.

You can always go here and test how vulnerable you are.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

quote:

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Originally posted by dampeoples


I passed these tests, but would like to hook my kids PC up so they can play online games and my laptop so I can get my Notes a little faster. So a network router acts as a firewall - sounds good to me, about the MAC cloning - what service does this? I got Roadrunner if it makes any difference. Thanks,

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In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

quote:

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Originally posted by GSR13


What OS are you using?

My service provider is Adelphia.

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

GSR13 offered good advice. Most routers today are being built with web-admin tools, so it's really easy to hook one up and configure it as a firewall.

Hardware Firewalls are always more secure than software ones.

Some of the fancier routers/firewalls allow you to do additional things like filter web content and such for the kids...if you are into do that type of thing.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

quote:

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Originally posted by dampeoples


I'm using X, my kids 98 and the laptop is NT. X will be my main concern, though. If you really want to hack into the PC, I don't mind, there are lots of kids games there! If I could, I'd hook the Prism up too (is there a wireless module for this, coupled with an Airport?) Thanks,
Sterling

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In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

Thanks GSR, i'll be off to Bestbuy soon!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

GSR13:

Do you if you can combine DHCP and Static IPs with the Linksys?

I currently need to have two static IPs for our servers, but would like to stick them behind a firewall if possible. I then have 5 other machines that we'd like to set up with DHCP.

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

quote:

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Originally posted by homer
GSR13:

Do you if you can combine DHCP and Static IPs with the Linksys?

I currently need to have two static IPs for our servers, but would like to stick them behind a firewall if possible. I then have 5 other machines that we'd like to set up with DHCP.

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In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 26

A question for anyone...

Looking at the LinkSys router, seems like a good device. However, my fianc�e has DSL and requires a "dial-in" program running on her Win98 box. If the router is sitting between all computers and the DSL modem, is it possible to get the router to run the dial-in program?

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

Homer:

For the record, you can use Static IP's and DHCP combined. In an effort to iron out some really odd problems with XP losing its connection, I have done this. I now have three machines configured to run DHCP and one machine using Static IP.

You just have to assign an IP Address that falls outside of the DHCP Range, which is determined by you anyway.

Juggler:

It looks as though you can use the LinkSYS Router to work with DSL that uses DialUp and a UserName and Password.

More than likely, the DSL provider is using PPPoE. When setting up the LinkSYS, you can adjust the WAN Settings to PPPoE and you would enter the ISP's UserName and Password.

If interested, download the UserGuide that I linked to above and check out Chapter 8.

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In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

Ok, I got an Airport setup, with a hard-wired iMac and a wireless iBook, does this constitute a firewall? Thanks,
Sterling

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

quote:

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Originally posted by Juggler
A question for anyone...

Looking at the LinkSys router, seems like a good device. However, my fianc�e has DSL and requires a "dial-in" program running on her Win98 box. If the router is sitting between all computers and the DSL modem, is it possible to get the router to run the dial-in program?

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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

quote:

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Originally posted by dampeoples
Ok, I got an Airport setup, with a hard-wired iMac and a wireless iBook, does this constitute a firewall? Thanks,
Sterling

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__________________
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

quote:

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Originally posted by ToolkiT

Good question, my cable modem works the same, thats why I held off buying a hardware Router/firewall...

As a workaround would it be possible to setup 2 TCP/IP configs on the same NIC? i.e. can I setup the NIC to connect to the internet AND also set it up for LAN config?
That way I could setup a proxy server and browse on all machines on the LAN.. Right now I can only have 1 machine connected to the net at once... not really a problem since my wife is the only person in the house and she's not really an internet addict like me...

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__________________
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. JOHN 14:2

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 832

quote:

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Originally posted by GSR13


I would think so, but I am not entirely certain on Airport Configuration.

As I understand it, the iMac is hard-wired and has the Airport Base connected. The iBook has an Airport Card. I would assume you would need some type of Firewall between the iMac and the Web. Considering the iBook goes through the iMac to get out, it would still go through the Firewall.

If this is how it works, and you plan on networking via Airport, you might consider a Software Firewall on your iMac.

Of course, you might also find someone with more knowledge of the Airport setup to assist.

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 560

quote:

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Originally posted by Juggler
A question for anyone...

Looking at the LinkSys router, seems like a good device. However, my fianc�e has DSL and requires a "dial-in" program running on her Win98 box. If the router is sitting between all computers and the DSL modem, is it possible to get the router to run the dial-in program?

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