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Firewall information

Discussion in 'Security and Privacy' started by Mudlet, 2002/02/18.

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  1. 2002/02/18
    Mudlet

    Mudlet Inactive Thread Starter

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    After just cleaning out some sort of hidden infestation last night from one of our 2 computers networked together, and after reading for the past week about viruses and firewalls, I'm interested in hearing thoughts about personal firewall usage, and what is good to use.

    We both have 98 SE and are networked together for file sharing and transfer. We were both running Norton AV (2000 with current updates) and this thing still got through somehow. We did have a virus show up in an email attachment that we thought we got rid of around Christmas,,but we are wondering if that could have either reinfected or if this is something else? Can you get a virus just from browsing sites?


    Also, is there anything special we have to do to install a firewall since we are networked?

    I might be paranoid here but am after as much protection as I can get at this point without being too fanatic about it,,,,

    thanks!
    Mud
     
    Mudlet,
    #1
  2. 2002/02/18
    brett

    brett Inactive Alumni

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    There's no reason why you shouldn't install a PF to each workstation.

    Which is best? You'll find an interesting thread here.

    Happy reading!
     
    brett,
    #2


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  4. 2002/02/18
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    I might be paranoid

    I would not call you paranoid at all. I would say that you are raising some VERY real and ligitament concerns.

    Can you get a virus just from browsing sites?

    I believe the answer to that is a BIG YES. If the site is infected you can be also.

    As to the LAN and a Firewall. I can only mention what I have and say that it does work for me. I will not say it is the BEST. Just that it does work and has done a good job of keeping me out of trouble, ( as long as I don't mess up ) :)

    I have a Cable Modem conneccted to Uplink port of a Hub ( not a router ). This machine and two other are also plugged into the Hub. One of these days I plan on investing in a Router. Keeping three ( 3 versions of ) firewalls up to date is a real PITA. I am just thankful that they can be all updated from the same site.

    Of course each one has its own AV software also. Which still would be needed even with a Router.

    I am using Norton Internet Security which is both AV & Firewall. Each machine has its own firewall since I do not use any form of Internet Connection Sharing. Each machine is 100% independent. Each machine has its own IP address. This is a little more costly but if one machine goes down the other two can still function.

    If the Firewall is set up certain way ( I do not use the Auto premit ) I can not get to the other machine without granting outgoin permission. The other machines can not get to me without me granting incoming permission.

    But, I do not use TCP/IP for the LAN. If TCP/IP is used and FIle and Printer sharing is bound to it every machine on the LAN can very easily be infected from any one of the others.

    In fact I have nothing bound to TCP/IP on any machine.

    Also I do not keep any drives set as shared except when actually needed. Doing otherwsie ( at times and under certain conditions ) creates boot up and/or shutdown problems. ( which it took me 3 days to finally figure out. )

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  5. 2002/02/19
    Newt

    Newt Inactive

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    Billy Bob - just a thought but if you are paying around $10 each per month for the additional IPs, a $100 router/switch will pay for itself pretty quick. Plus they are just plain fun to dink around with.
     
    Newt,
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  6. 2002/02/19
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Hi Newt

    Even though I am only paying $6/MO I agree with you.

    And as soon As I can get the extra $$ I plan on making the
    change.
     
    BillyBob,
    #5
  7. 2002/02/20
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    BillyBob would have had a router prior to last Xmas, but he lost all his savings on short putt wagers!


    Nowaday, it's just about impossible to get a virus from a webpage unless one visits a known malicious website and has all scripting enabled in the browser. But, a virus program cannot get downloaded unless you choose to download it.

    There are some known exploits in IE that MS has no fix for yet.
    IE 5.01SP2 is not vulnerable to them, it's the most secure IE to date.
     
    TonyT,
    #6
  8. 2002/02/21
    bobmc32

    bobmc32 Well-Known Member

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    Just a thought

    Mud-I just networked with Sygate and found Sygate Personal Firewall and installed and am impressed. You might go here http://www.sygate.com/swat/default.htm and look at it. Free for personal use and seems to do a good job for me. I got rid of Zone Alarm after installing PF.
     
    bobmc32,
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  9. 2002/02/21
    Mudlet

    Mudlet Inactive Thread Starter

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    What happens if one of the computer users on the network decides to use a firewall and the other doesn't?

    My partner is not sure he wants one, will I create havoc if I do and he doesn't? Or is there a way to set it up so that it works and we can still share files?

    thanks,,,,
     
    Mudlet,
    #8
  10. 2002/02/21
    Newt

    Newt Inactive

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    mudlet - you will for sure create extra work for yourself and you will have to decide if you trust an unprotected machine with much access to yours.

    What is his problem with a firewall?
     
    Newt,
    #9
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