Re: Firewall Necessity

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From: jch (JCH_at_nospam.com)
Date: 02/28/04 

Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 13:29:15 -0500

"Spiderman" <spiderman@spiderman.com> wrote in message
news:zK-dnYvsboMaSN3dRVn-jg@comcast.com...
>
> "HillBillyBuddhist" <hillbillybuddhist@shoescolumbus.rr.com> wrote in
> message news:uMw53Uf$DHA.2292@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > "Spiderman" <spiderman@spiderman.com> wrote in message
> > news:rcednet3Mdsk1d3dRVn-vg@comcast.com...
> > Can
> > | anyone give me an actual example of an outside attack on a non-virus
> > | infected PC that causes ACTUAL damage or theft to the PC...
> > |
> >
> > Yes. One good reason (among many already mentioned) to run a firewall.
> DDos
> > attacks. (see link below)
> >
> > http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci557336,00.html
> >
> > You see where it says;
> >
> > "On the Internet, a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is one
in
> > which a multitude of compromised systems attack a single target"
> >
> > You know what those "compromised systems" making these attacks are? They
> are
> > thousands of personal computers belonging to every day people just like
> you
> > and me. These systems all became "compromised" when software installed
on
> > their computers carried a hidden payload that "compromised" their system
> and
> > turned it into a zombie to be used in an DDos attack.
> >
> > Antivirus software isn't stopping it. A NAT router won't stop it. *A
> > properly installed and configured firewall on the other hand will.* DDos
> > attacks can only occur if the "compromised" computer can make an
outbound
> > connection.
> >
> > As many others have told you times have changed. For example when
Windows
> XP
> > came out inbound firewall protection seemed to be good enough. Now it
> isn't.
> > Windows XP SP2 will address the issue by making their firewall
> > bi-directional. Even Microsoft can see the need . <g>
> >
> > I know you're too smart to be taken in. That's what the thousands of
> already
> > compromised computer owners thought/think. You could be compromised
right
> > now but without a firewall to warn you of a parasite attempting to make
an
> > outbound connection from your computer you'd have no way of knowing it.
> >
> > Not your problem? Sure is. DDos attacks alone are costing the IT
community
> > millions of dollars in lost productivity and security expenditures. (yes
> > millions) Who do you think ultimately winds up paying for the increased
> > cost? That's right you and me. Internet service, banking, software,
> > Antivirus subscription renewals, cellular service, anything you can name
> > that uses technology (and what doesn't) costs more because of these
types
> of
> > security concerns. In today's Internet environment it is everyone's
> > responsibility to take proper steps in securing their own computers.
This
> > includes a firewall.
> >
> > You said in your first post you wanted to hear from the experts (of
which
> I
> > am decidedly *not* one) You've heard from several and they all agree,
yet
> > you continue to argue. Why again did you ask?
>
>
> I really DO want to hear expert opinions...that's why I asked. The example
> you just gave is, once again, regarding a PC that has been infected with a
> virus. Virus-infected PC's don't count in my thinking since they've
ALREADY
> been compromised...usually through user-error. Now, user errors
aside...why
> do I need a firewall if I'm vigilant about keeping viruses (and faulty
> programs in general) off my PC? Since I haven't gotten a good reason, I
will
> keep my firewall down, and I suggest the more educated computer users out
> there do the same. Don't believe the hype!

I agree Spiderman. As I stated earlier, all I use is a NAT router, AV
software, and I run Ad-Aware periodically to clean things up. My system has
never been compromised. What am I missing here? I'll challenge those who
swear by their firewalls. Remove your NAT router and AV programs (since you
say they aren't adequate). Just run your firewall and see how long you last.
I know how long I'll last w/o a firewall. My network is up 24/7. I've read
and continue to read of so many user network problems caused by the personal
firewalls they try to configure. Why? I have the same question you do. If
you practice safe computing why do you need a firewall?

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Black,Blue,andBlack again
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    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: Sharing a printer
    ... Here are general network troubleshooting steps. ... Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it. ... On the assumption that you in fact do have a router that connects to the Internet and that your computers then connect to the router, then if you think that you have one IP for multiple computers then you probably are using a website tool such as http://whatismyip.com/ That shows the your public IP address -- the one that the rest of the world sees. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Networks : Workgroups and Domains. How Do I Use Them?
    ... in My Network Places, it may take some time for a network resource to show up. ... all of the computers must be on the same subnet. ... it depends on whether you have Simple File Sharing enabled or disabled. ... Problems sharing files between computers on a network are generally caused by 1) a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall; or 2) inadvertently running two firewalls such as the built-in Windows Firewall and a third-party firewall; and/or 3) not having identical user accounts and passwords on all Workgroup machines; 4) trying to create shares where the operating system does not permit it. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: cannot get XP printer to share with vista PC
    ... You have to set up file/printer sharing first. ... a misconfigured firewall or overlooked firewall (including a stateful ... put all computers in the same Workgroup. ... Select a user account to automatically log on by clicking on the ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing)
  • Re: Reverting Wireless to Wired Network.
    ... I worked with Norton Firewall (disabling, ... telling me to talk to my "network administrator". ... Now none of the three computers can talk to anything, ... > uninstalled a firewall program, reinstall it and then uninstall it. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)