BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router

Subject: Obit: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 01:20 PM

I assume a non Mac (evil windows) user needs a norton like program installed on each computer run from a router.

Whats better/cheaper than Norton?
Is a free McAfee a joke?

Is there any software that physicly disables anyone who tries to maliciously mess with my computers. How about one that kicks him in the balls?

I already have a Norton but can I use it on multiple computers.

Subject: RE: Obit: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 01:21 PM

jeez, obit has always been too close to the intended BS button, sorry.

Sorted... Mudpiskie

Subject: RE: Obit: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 01:36 PM

I changed from Norton to AVG a couple of years ago. Not a lot cheaper, but it doesn't put your processor into reverse, and the virus definitions update daily. Much easier for a computerphobic like me to manage.

Subject: RE: Obit: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 01:37 PM

Many routers have built-in firewalls. Also, is this router on an internal LAN or does it face right onto the Internet?

Subject: RE: Obit: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 01:38 PM

And is it wireless or running on Cat 5? (I assume you're not running something like a token ring!)

Subject: RE: Obit: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 01:47 PM

I use a wired router with the internet wire straight into it.
Lightning killed my wireless routers, among other things.
I used to get several wide open/no password signals from neighbors with the wireless.

I guess I have to configure each computer to the router and each computer with a protection program of its own like AVG.   ?

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 02:27 PM

Don't use a router-- chop saw or Sawzall.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 03:02 PM

So you are saying I should spend $50 for seperate anti virus software for each computer.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 03:21 PM

Windows XP has a built-in firewall you can activate. You might also want to check your routers; many have built-in firewalls.

Of course, you might just use your neighbors' wireless setups and avoid the costs of your own Web connections...nah, that wouldn't be...are they Neocoms? If so then you'd be giving them a taste of their own...nah, be nice...it'll help you avoid jail.

Seriously, activate the Windows firewall (it's in the Control Panel) and see if the router has installed firewall software.

How far you go depends upon how secure you want to be. You could invest in a DMZ server that would only run your firewall, but that would probably be overkill and over expense account.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 03:26 PM

Use AVG free antivirus on each computer, and I use the free Kerio firewall (you should have both). Download and install on each computer. I also use one Bill D. recommended called WinPatrol, also free, that keeps an eye on my registry.

I guess I have to configure each computer to the router and each computer with a protection program of its own like AVG.   ?

One computer is hooked up to the router and is where you make adjustments. On that computer you need to open the router page (i.e., http://192.168.0.1) and set up the router to recognize and respond to any other devices you want to run on it.

My router is wireless (though I can hard wire computers from it) and I entered the MAC address of each device that is allowed access (the Linksys wireless card on the other computer, my son's Wii game, etc.) and also set up a password, told it not to broadcast that it was there, and to only respond to those devices.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 03:28 PM

Oh--if you plug the other computers in to the router, you may not have to set up MAC addresses. I'm thinking about wiring my computers all to the router one of these days, so I'll know for sure then.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 03:37 PM

Of the neighbors with wireless routers, one neighbor is CIA and the other is a RNC official.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 03:39 PM

Only the RNC official has password protection.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 04:13 PM

And so much for the CIA. Maybe it's a trap.

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 10:47 PM

I suppose if it is out there, you could use it. But at what cost?

I set up my next door neighbor's computer on her cable modem, but her computer is so old and I had to lug it into the living room to set up the wireless modem (because she didn't want to run a cable through the wall to her computer room) then lug the computer back to the next room. I put in a couple of cards so the computer could receive the wireless signal, and when it came to set up the router to not advertise it was there it just locked up, would not accept security settings. So I can see her signal on my son's computer (he's on a wireless card). But we don't use her bandwidth.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 11:53 PM

DMZ server that just conjured up old newscast images of Walter Cronkite talking about the DMZ in Vietnam!

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 27 Oct 08 - 11:58 PM

Point of possible interest: The Norton Internet Security that I use permits one "license" to be used on up to three computers.

In our case, it's two desktops and a laptop, connected via a Belkin router and Motorola DSL modem. (A third desktop on the same router/modem setup has its own AV.)

Norton makes it a little "less than obvious" that the license covers more than one machine when you log in for your annual renewal, but that's what it said on the box it came in, and I did once find someone at Norton who figured out that it's true.

The newer Norton 360 is said to be a little faster on scans than what we're using, and the upcoming (possibly available now) next version tracks what your setup is, and perhaps your "exposure habits," to compare your risk with others with similar setup and use, and scans only where intrusion/malware has been found among other "users like you," thus reducing scan times - in the words of several beta reviewers - spectacularly. Of course if there's a question, it will still run the full system scan - which takes the expected "a little longer."

Although the router does have a built-in firewall, Norton still occasionally detects "intrusion attempts," so I've prefered to keep the separate AV Suite on each machine on our little LAN. Some claim that multiple layers of protection on the same LAN can cause "conflicts" but we've seen none, with Belkin, Motorola, Norton, our ISP, and Microsoft all competing to keep us "safe."

A good suite also offers some inhibition against the "phishing" attacks that are the most common form of malware now, while the router firewall alone doesn't offer much in that arena.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Advice for protecting puters on a router
From: mrdux
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 01:41 PM

we've been using
ESET security products -- antivirus, firewall, etc. -- on our computers. small, very efficient and reasonably priced. definitely worth checking out.

bonne chance

michael