Is XP Firewall enough?

[my3kids]

I use Zone Alarm and have not had problems, although I know many have. I just got my child a new computer which came with a free trial of Norton Internet Security. He installed it on his, and I ended up with it also through a failed attempt at a wireless router. Anyway, again, no problems on mine(so now I have the Norton, Zone Alarm and XP) On the new computer, Norton Internet Security viewed an internet connection as trying to attack and so he has turned that off(but kept Norton Anti Virus running) Is XP Firewall all that is necessary, or should install Zone Alarm for him also?

 

[emmagata]

I run all my computers behind a router (not wireless) because I have cable modem. Each computer runs Norton Internet Security (firewall and antivirus).

Personally, I don't know how good XPs built in firewall is compared to Norton or McAfee. I don't think the XP firewall watches for programs that "phone home" as does Norton and McAfee. Plus I don't think it's as powerful as a hardware firewall (such as a router).

I don't know anything about wireless setups so I can't help with trying to get Norton to work with it. IMO, it really shouldn't be any different than a wired router.

I don't know if it's a good idea to run Norton firewall along with McAfee. I would pick the one you like the best and uninstall the other one.

I rarely get hit with inbound attacks but since I install a lot of different programs, it does catch the ones that try to communicate to the mother ship. At that point I can tell Norton to block it forever if I want to.

 

[hyzdufan]

I have read in several places that XP's built in firewall provides only one-way protection, can't remember if it's outgoing or incoming, and the protection either way wasn't that great all together. Let's just say it's better than nothing, but you can do a lot better, especially with Zone Alarm, a free download. You'd be better off with it, than without it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have XP off, use firewalled router plus Zone Alarm.

 

[N.Bailey]

I just bought a new Dell and before I installed anything, my daughter was out looking for AIM icons. Well, whatever sites she ended up visiting (might I add that it didn't help when her friend was controlling the keyboard would click OK to whatever popped up) I had a huge mess with my computer. It was less than a day old, and I really had no clue what came with this system (am coming from windows 98 to XP) so trying to uninstall all that automatically installed itself was real fun, lemmie tell ya! For a week, something was taking over my puter changing my homepage and somehow getting rid of my google toolbar and replacing it with 1000 different other types.

In the end, I downloaded AdAware and Spybot, and kept running McAfee's virus scan. I installed the firewall in McAfee's and enabled the firewall in XP, and I also got a router so my son could have Xbox Live. I figure, I have to be safe now!

 

[SonicLogic]

The big problem with Norton Internet Security is that it is bloated and it is very expensive to buy, maintain and upgrade. There are far better firewalls and AV programs that are free! Also, Norton itself is a virus, in that you can't do a complete uninstall of the program (without expert help).

 

[my3kids]

N.Baily....I'm betting our little darlins' are about the same age. He had that brand new Dell more junked up within 5 hours than I could have imagined possible. Also, no idea what was important, what wasn't. I went through the start up menu and turned off everything at startup that I didn't recognize. I made him delete most of the bells and whistles, but did allow him to keep AOL Instant Messenger. Is that fine, virus, attack, problem wise?

We ended up not being able to use the wireless router; he distance was too far to maintain a strong enough signal. Ditto for a wired router, so we have 2 seperate cable modems and connections....talk about an unbelievable charge from Adelphia! If I'd gotten the router to work...no charge! Because router wouldn't and I purchased another modem, almost $40 a month in additional charges!

So, tomorrow, I will install Zone Alarm for him. I have NAV 2002(?) and I guess NAV 2004 came with the new Dell. Should I uninstall Norton Internet Security all together, since the free trial is only a couple of months? I will keep the NAV, as it has been trouble free and efficient.

 

[N.Bailey]

I am not aware of what the Nav 2000 is. I got the Dell 8300, perhaps you got another puter? It doesn't seem to come standard on all Dell's though.

As to the other stuff, I wish I could help you. I really thought I knew what I was doing on a puter, but it was my OLD puter that I knew inside and out, not computers in general! LOL I sorta miss the old thing. I feel like I sorta lost a good friend. I didn't have to worry about adware or spyware on it, heck, I didn't care if I got a virus even. I'd just wipe it out and and do a complete reinstall. LOL

As for the wired router though, I have to say that I have never heard of anyone having to pay for 2 connections because the distance was too far? I can maybe understand that with wireless (I didn't consider wireless cause the guys told me you lose the connection too much while playing Xbox Live. Well that and I heard it runs on Microwaves, the same as my wireless keyboard and mouse), but the wired one? I might do some checking into that. I wouldn't want to pay the additional 40 a month either. BTW, I am Adelphia too.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I agree with N.Bailey. Do not understand why you would need two separate hooups, modem and all. Router should be fine, unless you have a house like GF or WL, LOL. For anti-virus, I run Norton, do a manual daily def update (it will do auto weekly, but as new def file is available daily, I do that), along with Panda, which does do auto dailys, sometimes more often, on a 'high alert' def. ZA and the router for firewall, Ad-aware Plus, proactive rather than reactive (never ever have any spyware if I do a manula check) and Mailwasher Pro, for email freshening. Life is pretty calm, not much worry from the cyber scumbags out there.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I think the hardware firewall is the key. As long as you have a decent one of those I don't believe you need any software firewall. XP's has all kinds of issues as does zone alarm sometimes.
I have never heard of someone having problems in a residential setting running just a hardware firewall, it's all I use.

 

[emmagata]

Originally posted by my3kids
N.Baily....I'm betting our little darlins' are about the same age. He had that brand new Dell more junked up within 5 hours than I could have imagined possible. Also, no idea what was important, what wasn't. I went through the start up menu and turned off everything at startup that I didn't recognize. I made him delete most of the bells and whistles, but did allow him to keep AOL Instant Messenger. Is that fine, virus, attack, problem wise?

We ended up not being able to use the wireless router; he distance was too far to maintain a strong enough signal. Ditto for a wired router, so we have 2 seperate cable modems and connections....talk about an unbelievable charge from Adelphia! If I'd gotten the router to work...no charge! Because router wouldn't and I purchased another modem, almost $40 a month in additional charges!

Here's a way to save $40/month...

You will need two of these.

http://www.netgear.com/products/prod_details.php?prodID=167&view=hm

Staples sells them for about $75 (online only)
http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/SKU.asp?BCFlag=False&PageType=1&SKU=IM1844981

CDW sells them for about $20 less.
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?edc=480856

Search the internet because they sell for less but I'm not sure of the reliability of some of those places that list it for less.

Staples is usually excellent and I've read mixed reviews for CDW.

EDIT to add..

There are other companies that sell similar devices so if you have problems finding the netgear, search for "powerline networking".

Also, Norton (NIS) blocks popups. The latest version (2004) allows you to custom control sites that you'd want to see the pop ups but by default blocks them all.

 

[my3kids]

Is the ethernet bridge something I would use with one wireless router? Does it help span the distance? I've tried 2 wireless setups and neither worked. First was a US Robotics, second was Motorola. No signal at all with USR. Motorola transmitted a signal but on the the second one it said it was too weak. We called Motorola and they said the number of walls shouldn't be a problem, but the floor was an issue because floors are "more dense than walls." Last choice locally is trying a Linksys system. Should I give it one more go? Is there something to plug in between to boost the signal?

One other option we have not tried is wired, so I'm not familiar at all. If I can put the router with my laptop, I could drop a line to the basement and get to the CABLE that runs to his room. I can not run an ethernet cable. Do the wired routers all use ethernet for the second PC?

 

[WebmasterAlex]

How far of a distance are we talking? Something doesn't seem right, I have shot through concrete floors in a commercial building, let alone any kind of residential construction.
Most of the wired routers use ethernet

 

[my3kids]

Hi Alex: I was surprised also since neighbors share a connection through 2 exterior walls and a yard. It isn't a huge distance....from one room on one end of a 2 story house to a room on the upper level at the opposite end of the house. We have a large fireplace in the room where the router was located if the masonry in that could have blocked the signal??

Anyway, I looked at CircuitCity.com and found the following: A Netgear 802.11g wireless router, a Netgear USB 2.0 adapter for the upstairs room. I'll try that with the config I had origionally intended. If the signal is still too weak, I also ordered a Netgear 802.11g wireless Notebook adaptor and I could put the modem and router in a room on the first floor that has a pitched ceiling so that the signal wouldn't have to travel through a floor as part of that wall shares the wall behind the upstairs computer. Being on the same floor hopefully my laptop would pick up the signal fine with the Notebbok wireless card.

Am I on the right track?

 

[emmagata]

Let me explain (jf you haven't figured out what these things are).

These devices use the electrical wiring in your house in a similar way a hard-wired (ethernet cat 5 cable) does. Only slower speeds but fast enough to share an internet connection.

Most (if not all) wiresless routers have hard-wired ports as well so they are really dual purpose.

If I understand you right, you can't (or without great effort and expense) run an ethernet network wire from the main internet connection location to the other room. Is that right?

If so, you can try getting two of the powerline network bridges and see if that works for you.

You will still need a router to be able to share the internet connection. Even if you only had one PC on the internet a router is still a good idea as it acts as a firewall.

The connections would look something like this

The cable modem would plug into the WAN connection on the router. Plug an ethernet wire from the 1st PC into any port on the router. Plug an ethernet wire from the powerline bridge into another port on the router. Plug the powerline bridge into the wall outlet.

At the other PC, connect the powerline bridge to the PC with an ethernet wire and then plug it into the wall outlet.

On both PCs you should make sure that the network connection is configured for DHCP (IOW, to get an IP address automatically (from the router)).

After that, the two powerline bridges should automatically see each other and complete the connection from the second PC to the router. You should be able to access the internet now.


Lastly, there are wireless repeaters that will essentially extend the range between the wireless adapter on the second PC and the wireless router (they're called a WAP (wireless access point)).

I don't know how (if any) delay in the repeating process will affect online gaming but it's worth a try.

Try google for "wireless repeater".

Here's a link that explains more about wireless setups.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/wireless_bridge.htm

 

[jfulcer]

If you house was built with metal studs that may interfere with the connections somewhat, but even with that you should be able to get a connection whereever you are in the house. Like the tech said, floors are worse than the walls. I actually ran a connection upstairs and hooked up my wireless router there - it's hidden behind my couch and I get an excellent signal anywhere in the house, especially sitting on the couch like I normally am.

If you don't want to use the powerline bridge find a friend that can wire it for you (a lot of electricians do this on the side) and have a hard wire ran to the location where the others computers are. I agree that paying $$ monthly for the extra connection is just a waste of money.

 

[my3kids]

I didn't see the powerline bridge at Circuit City.com but did go with the Netgear. Will the Netgear Wireless Adaptor do the same thing?

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.j...okmark=bookmark_0&oid=87770&catoid=-10265&m=0

I was going to use with the new PC upstairs.

 

[emmagata]

Netgear makes a wireless router that can act as a repeater.

http://www.netgear.com/products/prod_details.php?prodID=170

but it doesn't look like CC sells that model.

Staples does.

http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Brow...&bcClassName=Wireless-G+Access+Points/Routers


I guess I'm as baffled as Alex and Jeff are as to why you can't get a good signal with the stuff you already have.

Do you live in a Bill Gates style mansion???

 

[my3kids]

No, definately not Bill Gate's house.....I'm guessing his was well wired from the start anyway!!!

All the consumer reviews on the CircuitCity site said they were up and surfing within a few minutes with the NetGear stuff. Hopefully it really will work that well right out of the box.

 

[emmagata]

Originally posted by my3kids

All the consumer reviews on the CircuitCity site said they were up and surfing within a few minutes with the NetGear stuff. Hopefully it really will work that well right out of the box.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.