new dsl connection

[flingz]

I will be upgrading from my old dial up internet service to a dsl connection. i currently do not have any form of protection. i dont have a antivirus program or anything. i know that my computer will be subject to hacking once i hook up the dsl. i need some help on what i need and need to do to best prepare myself from getting hacked. i run windows xp currently.
thanks!

[diurnal]

If you are a home user many hackers do not really care about hacking you. If they do they are just practicing. If they are real good hacking it does not matter what you have on your computer i.e. a firewall or antivirus program. Having that said for a beginner hacker it would be good to have such a deterrent. But thats all it is a deterent, if they want in your computer they will get there.. But the best firewall now is zonealarm and antivirus program is Norton....

Go to cnet.com and download Zonealarm, it used to be a free download but i think now you have to pay something for it...

And Norton you can buy at any retail store...

Cya and i wish i had DSL:)

[john5211]

Hi flingz,

A good anti-virus program (to keep out the viruses) and firewall (to keep control of the internet connection) are both good things to have, especially with a broadband internet connection.

You have several options in both cases; for anti-virus programs, Norton AV (here (http://www.symantec.com/nav/nav_9xnt/)) and AVG (here (http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.htm)) seem to be solid programs (and AVG is free :) ). For firewalls, both Zonelabs Zone Alarm (here (http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/home.jsp)) and Sygate (here (http://soho.sygate.com/products/shield_ov.htm)) make good, free firewalls. Others may have good products to recommend as well (I use Norton and Zone Alarm, but will probably try AVG for virus protection when my free virus definitions run out).

Also, by the way, I think that any computer with a static IP address (which is often the case with DSL) is an attractive target for hackers who would like to use them as unsuspecting pawns in various kinds of denial of service attacks.

John

[flingz]

what exactly is a firewall and what does it do? sorry for my ignorance....

[john5211]

In short, a firewall helps to make sure that your network (internet) connection is not used without your consent (for example, by someone who wants to install and execute programs on your computer without you knowing about it).

For an overview of internet security, you might want to look here (http://www.firewallguide.com/overview.htm).

John

[mjc]

Here is a list of firewall, AV links....

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15179

[rond36]

A firewall is a software program or hardware device that hides your network from the rest of the internet. A software firewall will monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic and alert you to attempted attacks. It will also allow you to select the programs on your computer that may have access to the internet. I am using both a router that is a hardware firewall and Ontrack Net Defense(Sygate) software firewall. Both my networked computers are invisible to the rest of the internet. If you were to ping my IP address you would get no response from any of my ports it would be as if my computers were off-line or turned off.

If the crackers can't find you they can't damage your computer.

[extended_ram]

Regardless if you have broadband or not, always have Antivirus software. Its more important then a firewall.

[videobruce]

Norton is the most overated software out other than M$!

It is very bloated, uses too many resources, always runs in the background because it loads at startup and you can't stop it unless you use MSConfig or do some DOS work if you can. It is the number one trouble spot when installing new software because it is always running! Almost every software troubleshooting help section I have seen on instalation problems has mentioned Norton's AntiVirus program.

I run Ontrack's System Suite virus program from TrendMicro. It runs when I want it to and has free updates twice a month!

By the way, DSL is great! I have had Verizon for 1 1/2 years and except for a startup problem (they couldn't find the 'pair gain' on the line from the CO to the demark point) it has been fine.. 750k all the time. At 4pm or 4am, same thing.

[Budfred]

flingz,

The first thing I would urge you to do when you get your Antivirus software is to run the deepest scan you can. If you have been using dial-up for some time without any protection, you could already have an infection and not know it. Since infections like Klez will use your computer to spread themselves, you will be doing us all a favor if you secure your system.

I would also urge you to download a spyware scanner from mjc's list and run that. Chances are good that you have picked up some spyware and don't know that. In addition to invading your privacy, this stuff can also cause weird problems on your PC.

BTW, I have DSL and it is great.;) :)

Budfred

[classicsoftware]

I personally use Norton Antivirus. I want it to run all the time....

Plus NAV updates once a week amd more often when new threats are discovered.

As for a firewall. I vote for a router. Linksys makes excellent products and if you only have one computer, it will cost around $50.00.

The reason I like router is Verizon is fake always aon broad band. Verizon has to "fake" a call using dial up adapter software called WinPoet which is buggy to the say the least. With a router, the router will do the "fake" dial up for you all time and you can just click on your browser icon to get on line.

In the mean time, go to: (http://grc.com/default.htm) and run the sehilds up test.

You will see how unprotected you really are. After you put up the router, run it again and see how well it will protect you.