New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Santa is bringing me a new computer for Christmas because I've been a really good boy this year.<br /><br />On my current (soon to be an anchor) computer I am running win98se with spybot (in memory) for harddrive protection and an old version of nortons for e-mail protection. I manually run spyware doc and adaware whenever needed.<br /><br />My new computer will be running XP (registered version) & broadband (yippie!!). I am not sure yet of the exact specs of the new box but will find out soon (santa hasn't given me a budget yet) Any suggestions for firewalls? What works and what doesn't?<br /><br />Aldo
 
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18rabbit

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Aldo, I just made the jump from Win 98 to WinXP. It’s kind of like tuning on the lights after living in a cave.<br /><br />Spybot is good stuff, but not good enough. Needs to be backed up with a second spyware utility. Adaware (free) is one of the better ones. It sometimes finds stuff that Spybot doesn’t.<br /><br /> http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ <br /><br />WinXP has a built in software firewall but I disabled it. I opted for Trend Micro’s PC-cillian for anti-virus, internet security, cookie manager, password manager, personal data manager, email spam-blocker, personal (software) firewall, and spyware detection. I will highly recommend it. Don’t know it goes for in Oz but I think I paid $50 for it on Amazon and it came with a $20 mail-in rebate. Still waiting to get the rebate check. Similar software suit from Symantec/Norton goes for 3 times as much and isn’t rated as highly.<br /><br /><br />Wait until you go to do your internet setup with WinXP. Literally, you push a button and windows figures it all out and sets it all up.<br /> :) <br /><br />You’ll probably want Quicktime. It now comes imbedded with iTunes, something I didn’t need or want. See here for Quicktime without the imbedded iTunes player:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=37;t=002040 <br /><br />Other things folks here on iboats recommended that I found useful are ‘Windows XP – Inside and Out’ a Microsoft publication. It’s an excellent reference book for WinXP. And, Crap Cleaner, a free utility that cleans up all kind of residual stuff left on your hd.<br /><br /> http://www.ccleaner.com/
 
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Xcusme

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

G'Day!<br />You should consider a 'Hard' firewall too, namely a NAT router. They are really cheap these days (at least on this side of the pond).<br /><br />You didn't mention if your broadband will be the cable or DSL or ???, but it really doesn't matter, get the router. You'll use it to connect your old computer to your new one and transfer files to your new machine. <br /><br />BTW, lay down until the feeling goes away when you think about installing the ISP (Internet Service Provider) CD. You can get online just fine without it. I find the CD installs more trash on your system than you want.
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

I'm not going to transfer stuff from the old computer to the new, there is way to much crap and nothing important. <br /><br />I must confess, I don't know what the difference is between cable & DSL (what is DSL?). All I know is that optic fibre cables were installed in my area a few years ago - so I assume it will be cable. iprimus has a pretty good deal at the moment that bundles the net, local calls and selected long distance etc. I think the net has a 1 gig monthly download limit before it reverts back to 256.<br /><br />Thanks guys.<br /><br />Aldo
 
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rattana

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

I agree with Xcuseme. A router with a firewall is the way to go.<br />If you get a router with a printer server, any pc's that are connected to the router can use the printer as well.
 
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rattana

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Sorry I doubleclicked
 
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scottatwork

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Microsoft Anti-spyware (Free) puts adaware and spybot to shame, although of those two, Spybot is better.<br /><br />Buy a netgear firewall for CABLE/DSL if you have high speed........stay aw ay from LInksys, but Cisco is GOOD (Darned good).<br /><br />Wireless - unless you plan to use it, AVOID IT as it opens security holes.<br /><br />This is my expertise :) You guys keep my boat going and i'll keep yer computers going :D
 
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18rabbit

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Originally posted by rattana:<br /> I agree with Xcuseme. A router with a firewall is the way to go.<br />If you get a router with a printer server, any pc's that are connected to the router can use the printer as well.
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I agree with Rattana, who agrees with Xcuseme. I’m sitting behind a Netgear ProSafe FR114P, router/firewall/print server. It has NAT and stateful packet inspection. I never used a soft firewall until I went to WinXP. I disabled the WinXp firewall only because there is another soft firewall imbedded in Trend Micro PC-cillian.<br /><br />Aldo, I have another, almost new FR114P sitting around here somewhere, not being used. You’re welcome to it if you want it. The wall-wart power supply is 120vac to 12vdc 0.8amp so you may need to replace that if you aren’t on 120vac. Let me know and I’ll toss it onto Santa’s sleigh for you. You can check it out, read the manual online (something you should do for any router/firewall before you get it) here:<br /><br /> http://www.netgear.com/products/details/FR114P.php
 
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mattttt25

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

the puter geeks won't agree, but after a ton of problems with my new laptop, i simply turned on the windows xp firewall. i seriously have had zero problems with viruses and spyware.<br /><br />recently switched from norton to mcafee for virus protection. seems a bit better, but slows up some processes (may be just an illusion).<br /><br />i run adaware occassionally, but it rarely finds anything.
 
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Trent

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Scott at Work.... What you said was kinda funny! :D <br /><br />Linksys is a division of Cisco. :rolleyes:
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Thanks guys.<br /><br />I'll take a look at that link, 18rabbit, and get back to you. We are on 240v mains but an adapter is no problem.
 
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Homerr

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

I use XP Pro and Trend Micro Internet Security along with a hard-wired router/firewall.<br /><br />Whatever you do... DON'T put Norton on your system. It's pure manure (in my experience and opinion) Trend Micro runs far better and faster than Norton ever will.<br /><br />Spend the extra few bucks and buy XP... you'll be a lot happier. Get an 'OEM' version off of www.pricewatch.com or from a college if you know any students... they typically get a decent price break.<br /><br />You don't need to pay full retail just for a fancy package or tech support you'll never get or if you do... it probably won't speak in your language anyway... lol<br /><br />Good luck, and have fun with your new toy.<br /><br /><br />H.
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Homerr, I think you warned me about nortons in the past - the newer versions? I have a systemworks2001, with that version I am able to get daily virus updates & definitions, for free (I don't know why, it just lets me download without limits). <br /><br />With my current computer, trendmicro is soooo slow but once I get the upgrade I will use it.<br /><br />Is it still worth getting a hard firewall (router) even though I will only ever have one computer?
 
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18rabbit

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

I read somewhere that anything less than 512mb of ram and TrendMirco can be offensive to use in realtime mode. I'm using it with 1gb ram, no issues, love it.
 
K

KRS

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

I had the norton suite with firewall and virus protection, it would consistently tell me my license had expired and I needed to reinstall it, it would consistently try to update and crash the computer,.... it was terrible.<br /><br />I now run Grisoft's free AVG virus protection and Microsoft Anti-Sypware, also free; and finally I use the windows firewall... zero problems.
 
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Stratocaster

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

I run Norton AntiVirus (paid), ZoneAlarm firewall (free), PopUp Stopper (free), Spybot Search & Destroy (free), and AdAware (free).<br /><br />They all work great and I haven't had an intrusion problem in 5 years.
 
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Xcusme

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Originally posted by Dunaruna:<br /> <br />Is it still worth getting a hard firewall (router) even though I will only ever have one computer?
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In a word ...yes
 
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18rabbit

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Re: New computer, need firewall(s) - UPDATE

Originally posted by Stratocaster:<br /> I run Norton AntiVirus (paid), ZoneAlarm firewall (free), PopUp Stopper (free), Spybot Search & Destroy (free), and AdAware (free).<br /><br />They all work great and I haven't had an intrusion problem in 5 years.
Click to expand...
You also haven’t updated PopUp Stopper. Don’t! It’s been a 30-day trial freebee for a couple years now. I like the older PopUp Stopper better, and I won't pay to use the new stuff.
 
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