DSL and security issue...

[jharrison]

I'm about to get DSL and want to know how serious the issue of security is with this kind of connection. I'm supposed to have my own IP address and it's an always on connection as long as my PC is on. It will be one maybe a few hours a day average. If it's a serious issue then what are some good FREE programs that are easy to setup and use? Any help would be great.

Oh yeah, I'm using Win98SE.

[Bsdboy]

One word: Zonealarm and it's free.


Bsdboy

[jharrison]

I forgot to say that I'll be using this on my home PC almost exclusively for entertainment value (online gaming, web surfing, the like). There won't be any sensitive stuff on the PC.

[daveleau]

I recommend two firewalls together since any one is vulnerable to attack. I use ZA and Sygate together. Covers all the bases (or as much as software can cover).

Dave

[KAknight]

If you are really concerned about security make sure you don't have a wake on LAN header connected. If you are that concerned, ZONEALARM will cover most everything you need.

[tepo]

I'm very keen to secret, I have some work-related stuff on my 'puter, so I made it quite solid:

- Server. Connected to outside with DSL.
- Workstation. Where the sensitive stuff is.

Both using NTFS, encrypted, and user access rights. And both running ZA. So far a few tries, but not penetrated. As far as I know, no trojans, no viruses, no nothing. I scan my 'puters for trojans and viruses on weekly bases, plus realtime protection is on and all emails are scanned at arrival.

Tepo

PS: Hey davelau ! 2 Firewalls ? Could You plz explain this ? What are the benefits ?

[wyvrn]

I have not tried this one but you may want to give it a shot.

I also would like to know the benefits of two firewalls

[jansson_markus]

DONT USE TWO FIREWALLS ON THE SAME TIME!!!

Sorry to put that up in capitals, but its really important! If you arent using "different firewalls" like "packetsniffer" (like in companies or intranet/internet connectionstations) and "workstation" (like ZoneAlarm). Using two firewalls means that they might interact together with unpredictable results. Using two firewalls isnt any more safer than using one, since any decent firewall works 100%...It block outcoming scans and doesnt let unwanted info leak out of your computer.

So, in short, use just only the ZoneAlarm. Its excellent and its free. BlackIce isnt even a firewall and it leaks as hell...whatever you do, DONT use it!!!

But, also, remember that even a firewall doesnt protect you if your security isnt fixed. This means UPDATED and PATCHED programs and OS, and a good virusscanner (like Norton or F-Secure). Also, its VERY, VERY important that you have your internet settings in decent shape: the default settings are INSECURE.

Most of the really bad stuff can happen to modem users aswell as cable users. But its still more likely that you get into trouble with fixed IP.

Markus

[daveleau]

I typically run ZA (the most popular firewall, free, thus easy to find the holes), BID (intrusion detection), Jammer (registry checker...detects and prompts at any registry change), Tauscan (trojan scanner). I do online banking so I keep mine locked up. Please see this post for more details as to why one firewall, especially a free firewall, is not enough. I have not noticed any problems concerning my current setup nor my revious setup with ZA and Sygate.

Dave
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/012982.html

[Mntsnow]

I too used to run dual software firewalls prior to me setting up hardware firewalls which are typically better (of course when configured correctly). I use Jammer still as it uses very little overhead resources and I like to know what if any registry setting have been modified

[prttybean]

I don't think there is a benefit to having two firewalls on your PC. They compete to get to scan the same incoming process and can cause system performance problems. If you want to then I'm told a router and Zone Alarm are the way to go.

[korgul]

Here is a thread that I posted some add ons for ZoneAlarm and some other utilities to track where the attacks are comn from. Don't worry the attacks will come, yes they will come.

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/013924.html

korgul