Newbie to firewalls - do I need one?

Newbie to firewalls - do I need one?
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Subject Author Date
Newbie to firewalls - do I need one? Seeker 01-20-2005
Posted by Seeker on January 20, 2005, 9:35 am
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I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
around)?

I also use the following freeware progs:

1)AVG as a free antivirus checker (2) Spybot (3) Ad-Aware

Would these provide effective protection in a broadband environment?

Thanks!!


Posted by John Thomas Smith on January 20, 2005, 3:46 pm
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On 20 Jan 2005 09:35:07 -0800, broker@rock.com (Seeker) wrote:
>I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
>about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation

You need a firewall even with dial up

I can't remember the name, but there is a particular virus
(trojan, whatever it's called) that will randomly scan the
'net for open ports... and if you don't have a firewall and
you are dialed up via modem, you have open ports

I know 'cause I got infected and had to wipe my drive to
install everything fresh


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith


Posted by Not-My-Real-Name on January 20, 2005, 4:05 pm
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> I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
> about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
> you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
> around)?
>
> I also use the following freeware progs:
>
> 1)AVG as a free antivirus checker (2) Spybot (3) Ad-Aware
>
> Would these provide effective protection in a broadband environment?
>
> Thanks!!

Define effective. To me that wouldn't be effective.

If you connect your PC to the Internet directly, insure you disable File and
Printer sharing and the "Client for Microsoft Networks". Just use plain
jane TCP/IP. This will protect you a bit more. Also don't leave your
machine running 7/24.
Shut it off when you're not using it.

As others have mentioned, it's best to have an external Hardware Firewall
located between your PC and the Cable/DSL/Broadband modem (<$50).

Also consider visiting the Windows update site daily and keep your machine
spyware clean with tools like Ad-aware and Spybot.






Posted by IPGrunt on January 20, 2005, 5:46 pm
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broker@rock.com (Seeker) confessed in news:15e0bbff.0501200935.48c7eb17
@posting.google.com:

> I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
> about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
> you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
> around)?
>
> I also use the following freeware progs:
>
> 1)AVG as a free antivirus checker (2) Spybot (3) Ad-Aware
>
> Would these provide effective protection in a broadband environment?
>
> Thanks!!
>

No, you need a firewall to block malware at the gateway to your home/office
LAN, i.e., at the border router.

So, when you add broadband, insist that you get a router (or a WiFi hub) that
contains built-in firewall functionality utilizing "stateful packet
inspection". Properly configured, these firewalls can protect your home
system from bugs that attach to the Windows file sharing and other system
service ports.

-- ipgrunt



Posted by Woody on January 20, 2005, 11:13 pm
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Even with dial up you should have a firewall. If you can't spring for a
router then consider one of the free firewalls like Zonealarm...


>I am thinking of upgrading from dial up to broadband. I am worried
> about the threat of viruses etc this always on situation. What would
> you recommend as a good freeware firewall (if there is such a thing
> around)?
>
> I also use the following freeware progs:
>
> 1)AVG as a free antivirus checker (2) Spybot (3) Ad-Aware
>
> Would these provide effective protection in a broadband environment?
>
> Thanks!!




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