1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Question for router experts

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by r.leale, 2006/11/19.

  1. 2006/11/19
    r.leale Lifetime Subscription

    r.leale Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/17
    Messages:
    647
    Likes Received:
    4
    :confused: Hi all,

    I am running two machines, one with XP Home and Vista, the other with various flavours of Linux, and having only one monitor I was having to shut down one machine to use the other. In the end I decided to put in a router, the simplest that I could find, so that I could have both machines up and running and change as I felt the urge. (Maybe I should just get a life!!) On the XP machine I have Zone Alarm Security Suite.
    Anyway I installed a Netgear RP614FS which serves the purpose OK.
    The problem is that for several years I have had the habit to visit GRC.com every couple of weeks or so to check that all my service ports are in stealth mode. When I did that last week I was horrified to find that although all service ports were closed, only port 80 was in stealth.
    My questions are:- a. Does this represent a threat to my security or not? With GRC reporting that the ports are only closed and not stealthed, it does mean that my machine, which is often on line 12 to 14 hours per day, is visible to any potential intruders. b. Is this normal behaviour for a router or is it possible to set it not to respond to any pings?
    Any advice on this will be gratefully received.
    Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that people are not out to get me!!!

    Roger:mad:
     
    r.leale,
    #1
  2. 2006/11/19
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,068
    Likes Received:
    396
    Access the router control panel (wan setup area) and disable "respond to pings ". Also, it have dsl, you will have to setup the dsl modem in "Bridge Mode" and let the router handle ip addressing, else the GRC Shields Up test is being run on the modem and not the router. Most all dsl modems don't have very effective firewall rulesets and will pass through requests (including icmp pings) from the outside. Your router does have an advantage though, it has SPI (stateful packet inspection) and can be configured much like zone alarm.

    A "stealth" report from GRC does not mean didly anyway. It just means that your computer is not responding to ping requests on the stealthed ports. But that does not mean a computer can't be compromised, it's just one more "layer" of apparent security.
     
    TonyT,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...