Re: @Home cable service

From: Nathaniel Hekman (hekmanATgeo-slopeDOTcom@no.spam)
Date: 09/19/02 

From: "Nathaniel Hekman" <hekmanATgeo-slopeDOTcom@no.spam>
Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 12:32:53 -0600

I'd suggest a hardware solution, like a LinkSys router.

http://www.linksys.com/products/group.asp?grid=23

The advantages of hardware, in my opinion:
    - no software to install, it's really plug-and-play for any simple home
system;
    - it also gives you a home network, so you can share files & printers
between computers at home, and share your Internet connection;
    - if you ever get more than one computer at home it protects all of
them, rather than having to buy licenses and install software on every
computer.

I experimented with Zone Alarm at work, where I do some IT. A software
firewall does not seem secure to me at all, for a couple of reasons:
    - ZA would pop up a message whenever someone on the network tried to
connect to me, and similarly when software on my computer tried to connect
out, and it would ask if I wanted to allow or disallow it. As an
experienced IT person I found it often difficult to know what kind of
connection this was in order to decide whether to allow or disallow. For a
casual user it would be nearly impossible. It would be very easy for me to
unknowingly open a gaping hole in my network.
    - Because a software firewall is just another programme running on your
computer, it is susceptible to all the bugs, viruses, worms and trojan
horses we hear about every day. Sure, a hardware solution is really just
software running in its own box so it could be targeted by a virus as well,
but fewer programmers have the requisite experience or interest.

M2CW

Nate

"John C." <john92us@midco.net> wrote in message
news:uoin1mpfqv522@corp.supernews.com...
> I'm new to all this firewall stuff but I know I'm vulnerable.
> Any suggestions for software and/or settings? (win 98se)
> Thanks in advance
>
>

Relevant Pages

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