Snarkpit Forum Index » General Banter » Router went kaput today
Router went kaput today
1
2 next page »
Post Reply
Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Underdog on Sat Aug 6th at 10:24pm 2005

For the time being, I am without my router. ATM, buying a new one is not an option so I need some advice.

What is the best, free firewall program today? I got really spoiled to my hardware firewall and have not installed a software one in years. I will be getting a new router within the week so all I need is a temporary software firewall to hold me over.

Thanks for any/all advice.




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Crono on Sat Aug 6th at 10:55pm 2005

A hardware one ...

If you're getting a router later this week, just be careful at what you're doing online and such. Then once you do get a router, tidy everything up. Unless you're using IE to look at a lot of questionable sites, it should be fine.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Underdog on Sat Aug 6th at 11:11pm 2005

I visit here. Thats about my extent ATM.


There is no history until something happens, then there is.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Crono on Sat Aug 6th at 11:20pm 2005

You should be fine then unless someone suddenly goes, "I want to gain access to this guys computer randomly", which wont happen since, what would make more sense is they upload a file that runs at your next startup that tells them they have access or that sends information back (key loggers, shell exploits, etc)

But you can get those through cookies too, if the owner writes them for that purpose.

That isn't the case here.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by OtZman on Sat Aug 6th at 11:27pm 2005

There's a free version of Zone Alarm, I think. You might want to try it out.



What the Snarkpitters listen to!



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Underdog on Sun Aug 7th at 12:04am 2005

Dammit to hell, I already have s**t coming through. I suppose its zone alarm time.

Thanks Otzman




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Underdog on Sun Aug 7th at 2:20am 2005

I can't wait to get my new router. This zone alarm blocks to many things. <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/sad.gif">

Better overly cautious I suppose.




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by SuperCobra on Sun Aug 7th at 2:48am 2005

Underdog are you using FireFox or IE?



Life is like a box of chocolates u never know what you'll get you might get a.....scream.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Underdog on Sun Aug 7th at 3:15am 2005

? quoting SuperCobra
Underdog are you using FireFox or IE?

Don't ask. I already read the 12 hundred posts on the glory of Firefox and do not want to see another round over this. <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/heee.gif">




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by OtZman on Sun Aug 7th at 4:24am 2005

Is a hardware firewall like one in a router as good as, better or worse than a software firewall. Does a hardware firewall provide sufficient protection by itself?

and you should use Firefox... <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_wink.gif">



What the Snarkpitters listen to!



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Crono on Sun Aug 7th at 6:09am 2005

Hardware firewall is better.

it's an actual board and such as opposed to some code. Code can ALWAYS be circumvented. A hardware firewall is much more difficult to do so. At least that's my understanding and that's the way it is in a lot of computer related areas, so I imagine it follows the same trend. But I've never had any courses or read books/articles on firewalls ... yet.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by OtZman on Sun Aug 7th at 6:28am 2005

Perhaps I could stop using a software firewall then as I have a router with one.

Funny though that Zone Alarm apparently has blocked 12121 intrusions of which 382 were critical since install, which was a week or two ago.



What the Snarkpitters listen to!



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Underdog on Sun Aug 7th at 8:04am 2005

In the four years since I purchased my router, no one has gained access to any of my PC's. (to my knowledge)

Also, since I have installed zonealarm, I have had to constantly give permission to things, my router took care of any permissions. In other words, I was never hassled to do anything. ever so often, I had to set a port or two, but thats my choice, it was never forced upon me.

I will be getting a new router soon.




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Crono on Sun Aug 7th at 8:25am 2005

Yeah, software has the little problem of having a higher chance of errors. Also, one other thing I didn't mention, the system resources that a software firewall would use would be completely free (which is to say: a hefty chunk).

Now, don't mistake what I'm saying as "you need no more protection". A combination of a hardware firewall and an anti-virus should be good enough for general use. Using a non-microsoft Internet anything is another good idea. (Just because they integrate everything into the OS and or your user, which most likely has administration access, or is the administrator, Which I suggest changing immediately.)

I've had the problem with Norton a few times with a "Internet worm threat". It's very annoying because it sees game servers as Internet worms, which I'm sure is a common source. But, for some reason, when I was playing Far Cry (as a server at a LAN) is just wouldn't let people in and wouldn't stop asking me if it can permit them. I ended up turning the damn thing off because it just wouldn't let up. The odd thing is, in the settings it was a permitted slot for Far Cry and several other games. It only did it with FC though.

But, don't be concerned with the "amount of threatening attacks" a firewall program will report. It's over embellishing. There's no way to completely protect your computer, so moderate protection that allows you to actually use the computer's resources is best.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by OtZman on Sun Aug 7th at 3:19pm 2005

As I haven't been able to figure out how to forward ports, I've enabled DMZ on my router. Is doing so of any risk?

? quote: Crono
Now, don't mistake what I'm saying as "you need no more protection". A combination of a hardware firewall and an anti-virus should be good enough for general use. Using a non-microsoft Internet anything is another good idea. (Just because they integrate everything into the OS and or your user, which most likely has administration access, or is the administrator, Which I suggest changing immediately.)


Do you mean I should change my account from an administrator account to a limited one?




What the Snarkpitters listen to!



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Underdog on Sun Aug 7th at 3:33pm 2005

? quoting OtZman
As I haven't been able to figure out how to forward ports, I've enabled DMZ on my router. Is doing so of any risk?

The short answer: HELL YES!!!

Anyone who is smart enough to make a map, should be able to sort out a port. I suggest you do so.

"PRESS THAT RESET BUTTON IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER!"




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by OtZman on Sun Aug 7th at 3:45pm 2005

? quote:
? quoting OtZman
As I haven't been able to figure out how to forward ports, I've enabled DMZ on my router. Is doing so of any risk?

The short answer: HELL YES!!!

Anyone who is smart enough to make a map, should be able to sort out a port. I suggest you do so.

"PRESS THAT RESET BUTTON IMMEDIATELY IF NOT SOONER!"



*checks selfs control panel... "You have: listed 0 maps..."

<img src=" SRC="images/smiles/icon_wink.gif">


Ok, I suppose I'll try to learn how to do it then.

Are there any applications or something that can be used to test and see if certain ports are forwarded or not?



What the Snarkpitters listen to!



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Underdog on Sun Aug 7th at 3:57pm 2005

The only time you even need one is when you desire someone to access you. I only ever needed the port open to HL1 so people could find me when I ran a map for them.

I see no reason for any other ports to be open unless you need them to find you. Otherwise, keep them all shut.

There is a website someplace that has online documentation for most all routers. Perhaps someone here recalls the URL?

My mapping skills have no relevance to routers.




There is no history until something happens, then there is.



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by OtZman on Sun Aug 7th at 4:42pm 2005

BitTorrent uses a certain range of ports. So I'll need to forward them for full connectivity, so it'd be useful if I could check and see if the ports are forwarded properly.

I've found this website: http://www.portforward.com

They seem to have documentation and step by step guides on how to setup and forward ports.

I'll give it a shot.


Thanks for all help so far.



What the Snarkpitters listen to!



Quote
 Re: Router went kaput today
Posted by Underdog on Sun Aug 7th at 8:14pm 2005

Anytime.

You think by this time next year members will stop referring to my maps, or lack there of when referencing my knowledge base?

I am not after all, the only member map free.

Hell, I answered one editing question. I'm moving up in the world. <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/heee.gif">




There is no history until something happens, then there is.




1
2 next page »
Post Reply