Re: SImple advice request re home network

From: Timbo (tim.pindar_at_redyonder.co.uk)
Date: 05/01/05 

Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:29:02 GMT

<postmaster@localhost> wrote in message
news:aap771lu48g6cmj6siac1gu27vfv7psg97@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 30 Apr 2005 20:01:32 GMT, "Timbo" <tim.pindar@redyonder.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
>>Hi, this is a simple advice request as I'm a bit confused after doing some
>>research and am new to networking:
>>
>>Setup - Very straightforward. We have one PC in the house, running XP and
>>cable broadband. Due to family expansion we have a notebook PC on order,
>>and
>>I've installed a Belkin wireless router so that the notebook can use the
>>same broadband connection wirelessly and share data with the existing PC.
>>It's possible we might get a 2nd notebook as well in due course. We only
>>do
>>standard stuff at home - internet surfing, a little bit torrenting, email,
>>MSN messenger etc etc.
>>
>>On the existing PC I pay for Zone Alarm Pro and Norton Antivirus.
>>
>>So my questions are:
>>
>>The Belkin router has a firewall built-in though this doesn't appear to be
>>configurable other than off/on.Does this mean that I can get by with
>>either
>>no software firewall,
>
> the router firewall will keep most people out who attack from the
> internet. Essential nowadays if you install windows from CD then want
> to download updates ... without a firewall like this you can be
> compromised - before you have the patches that fix the windows
> security.
>
> The software firewall on the PC give some protection where you
> accidentally download something (say a trojan) that then wants to
> phone home so it can recieve new instruvtions. This is the firewall
> that says 'this keypress tracker has discovered your visa card number
> and wants to pass the info on', ot 'I'm a mail spam program - what
> messge should I send to who'
>
>>or alternatively just settle for the free ZoneAlarm for instance?
>>
>>I assume that if I want to continue with Zone Alarm Pro and Norton
>>Antivirus
>>I'll have to pay to install fresh ones on each new notebook? (I assume
>>trying to install again from the existing licence won't work.)
>
> that would be reasonable - after all your license fee pays someones
> wages, and it is something you use all the time.
>
> You may find that internet protection software may come with the PC.
>
>>
>>Is there any other solution I should consider, as these costs do start to
>>add up once you have more than one PC. Anything designed for multiple PCs
>>that is worth it for just 2 or 3 PCs?
>
> don't forget to lockdown yor wireless network, so you don't run a
> local hotspot for the benefit of passers by an nieghbours.
>
>>
>>Any advice appreciated - thanks in advance.
>

Thanks for the reply. I'm happy to pay the license fees, I was just checking
it was necessary and whether there is a better solution than 2, later 3,
lots of FW and AV fees, ie whether 3 PFW fees on top of the router FW are
really necessary. 

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