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General discussion

Need firewall

by lfeder3 Oct 15, 2004 9:36PM PDT

Sorry if this is the wrong category (not sure which one to post this to...)
I have a Dell 700MHz with Win98, and a cable internet connection. I'm looking to get a (new) firewall. I had Norton Internet Security (2003), which expired beginning of Sept.(my computer is currently disconnected from the internet). I haven't upgraded to a newer version, because I've been told a hardware firewall offers better protection, and the wireless Linksys WRT-54GS router was suggested to me. I'm concerned about wireless, because I heard that hackers can sometimes break into your computer. Another suggestion, for a non-wireless router, was the Linksys BEFCMU10. I don't even know if a router is right for me, since I'm not planning on setting up a network. It'll just be the one computer connected to it. I'm just looking for a good firewall.

Unfortunately, I really don't know much about this, so I'm not sure what to do. I'm looking for advice on what to do (software vs hardware, wireless vs non-wireless, WRT-54GS vs ???).

Or should I just stick with upgrading to NIS 2005??

Thanks very much for any advice/info.

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Re: Need firewall

by Coryphaeus Oct 16, 2004 8:43AM PDT

It's a two phase process. Get a router. Whether you have one or several PCs, the router has a firewall. Next, get ZoneAlarm free firewall.

The hardware firewall in the router is the first defence, the software firewall is the second defence. And ZoneAlarm will block outgoing attempts.

I have a D-link setup - cable modem, router, three wired PCs and one wireless laptop. All running ZoneAlarm. I have had zero intrusions.

Good luck,
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