Re: Equipment Questions - Modem/Router

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

MtnLadyinBlackHills1986 wrote:
I posted earlier about Internet security problems. Thank you, "Daave", for all your assistance. My computer is "well" now. However, I have a different concern now. I contacted my ISP about my DSL modem/router (which I rent) and about open ports I found in the grc.com scan. They refuse to close these ports for me. I can't access the software because my ISP has the password.

Last night my husband's laptop (with a wireless connection) was repeatedly attacked by a Trojan Horse. (The Internet was turned on but he was not using the Web - he was using a program that is not an online one.) His antivirus stopped and deleted all of them. But I'm concerned that these open ports are a major part of the problem.



This is why it's important to use a software firewall on each the the computers connected to the Internet, even by a router with NAT. Then, should there be a weakness or malfunction in the hardware, the computers still have some protection.

If you use a router with NAT, it's still a very good idea to use a 3rd party software firewall. Like WinXP's built-in firewall, NAT-capable routers do nothing to protect the user from him/herself (or any "curious," over-confident teenagers in the home). Again -- and I cannot emphasize this enough -- almost all spyware and many Trojans and worms are downloaded and installed deliberately (albeit unknowingly) by the user. So a software firewall, such as Comodo, Sygate or ZoneAlarm, that can detect and warn the user of unauthorized out-going traffic is an important element of protecting one's privacy and security, alerting you to an unwanted malware application's activity. (Remember: Most antivirus applications do not even scan for or protect you from adware/spyware, because, after all, you've installed them yourself, so you must want them there, right?)

When I ran WinXP, I used both a router with NAT and Sygate Personal Firewall, even though I generally know better than to install scumware. When it comes to computer security and protecting my privacy, I prefer the old "belt and suspenders" approach. In the professional IT community, this is also known as a "layered defense." Basically, it comes down to never, ever "putting all of your eggs in one basket."



We are considering buying our own equipment. Can you purchase a combination modem/router or would we need to get the modem from the ISP and get our own router? I know the routers have their own firewall software that we could access and set up. Or are we opening up a big "can of worms"?


You would have to contact the ISP and ask them what specific makes/models of routers and modems they're will to support, and go with one of those. Most likely, you'd need to use their modem and be free to choose your own router. If the ISP refuses to support any user-owned equipment, I'd strongly suggest that you seek out another, more reasonable, ISP. (Cable, if available; it's much faster than DSL) Of course, that may not be an option in your locale, which makes having a good software firewall even more important, if the ISP proves inflexible regarding the hardware.




--

Bruce Chambers

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Security, router vs. software firewall
    ... A NAT router will protect you from most ... A third party software firewall like ZoneAlarm protects you against outgoing ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Equipment Questions - Modem/Router
    ... computers connected to the Internet, even by a router with NAT. ... NAT-capable routers do nothing to protect the user from him/herself (or ... So a software firewall, such as Comodo, Sygate or ZoneAlarm, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: router and firewall?
    ... 3rd party software firewall. ... NAT-capable routers do nothing to protect the user from him/herself ... I use both a router with NAT and Sygate Personal Firewall, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: XP SP2 Firewall...is it good?
    ... > I forgot to mention I also have a router which supposedly has a firewall ... 3rd party software firewall. ... NAT-capable routers do nothing to protect the user from him/herself ... though I generally know better than to install scumware. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: port status
    ... >Does this mean that my computer is safe without any software firewall? ... >I did not set up the router myself, I got it from my ISP, configured and ... The router protects you against most external threats, ...
    (comp.security.firewalls)