firewall/cable modem

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 19 Jun 2003 11:13 am

We are thinking of taking advantage of a "sale" on Comcast Cable internet access.

wondering what I'd need besides the cable modem itself to set up a firewall/internal network ... ie: sharing the cable modem connection via a router with firewall capability

??

Tony LaCroix · Post by **Tony LaCroix** » 19 Jun 2003 1:03 pm

That aught to do it...might not even need the modem (many cable internet companies provide one). I would consider going wireless. These days it's pretty cheap.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 20 Jun 2003 11:06 am

I'm using Comcast cablemodem at home. I run the cablemodem (supplied by Comcast) into a Lynksys wireless access point router. Our home computers are all protected from intrusion by the free version of ZoneAlarm, and by the internal security of the router.

Also, I don't use a mail client program. That keeps me safe from email-bound viruses. I use the WebMail service at Register.com ($30/year) instead of Outlook or whatever, and I never open attachments unless I know what they are.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax[This message was edited by Bobby Lee on 20 June 2003 at 12:07 PM.]

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 20 Jun 2003 11:42 am

Maybe I'm not up on this as much as I thought I was. I use a cable modem through a router which I thought was enough protection. What does the Zone Alarm catch that the router doesn't?

Rich Paton · Post by **Rich Paton** » 20 Jun 2003 12:02 pm

It depends on how the options in the router are configured. Ditto on a software based firewall, but if the router setup is anything like the D-Link 604 I use, the software type would be easier to configure/reconfigure. However, it is my understanding that hardware firewall protection is more roubust overall (when set up correctly).

Jeff Agnew · Post by **Jeff Agnew** » 21 Jun 2003 7:36 am

I use a cable modem through a router which I thought was enough protection. What does the Zone Alarm catch that the router doesn't?

Outbound connections. Trojans, worms, spyware, etc. that try to communicate to the mother ship without your knowledge. You can monitor which apps try to talk to the net and disable access for those you don't want. The RealOne player comes to mind.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 21 Jun 2003 9:03 am

Right, Jeff. Whenever a program on my machine tries to access the Internet for the first time, ZoneAlarm prompts me for permission. I can give one-time permission or allow it permanently.

You'd be surprised how many programs want to talk to the Internet behind your back. Some are viruses, some are commercial programs sending info back to their manufacturer, and some are 100% legit. Sometimes a Java applet will try to use the browser as a server. ZoneAlarm alerts me of that, too. Sometimes I allow it (like for ICQ chat), sometimes I don't.

ZoneAlarm is a really good program, in my opinion.

------------------
<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 21 Jun 2003 9:11 am

Okay, you talked me into it. I'll install ZoneAlarm.