ADSL

[scorpio]

Hi,



Anyone out there on ADSL? I am thinking of moving to wideband and wondered if it was worth the effort.

Tony

[benzonar]

I've got a cable modem through NTL, it's very fast and hasn't fallen over yet. Make sure you get a firewall as you are permanently connected, Zonealarm is a good one and it's free.
Download speeds are very fast, mine was clocked at 546, which makes it at least ten times faster than a conventional modem setup.
I think ADSL is slightly different to cable, and the speeds may vary.

[Billyo]

Anyone who want to see how secure they are can go to:



<A target="_blank" HREF=http://grc.com>http://grc.com</A>



You can also get ZoneAlarm from there... a brilliant site!



Bill.

[scorpio]

Thank you all for your help...... I will most certainly get some sort of security.

[Beekay]

Billyo. Great site learned a lot including how insecure my PC was. Updated now......thanks for the warning....B

[scorpio]

Got my cable modem in yesterday.... absolutely amazing.... Dunno how I managed without it. Thanks for all your help lads.

[Billyo]

Hi Tony,

Have you done you Firewall installation and check at that URL above? If not, I'd suggest it's wise to take a minute to run through this site.

Bill.

[scorpio]

Billy, where can I download some freeware for a good Firewall? Any help appreciated.

[Billyo]

Hi Tony,

As Benzonar say's above, ZoneAlarm takes some beating (from what I've heard) and they do a free download version a
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.zonealarm.com/products/za/freedownload2.html>here</A>

ATB,

Bill.

[scorpio]

Thanks billy, I have downloaded the software and am pretty safe now, for anyone else Zonealarm 2 is excellent if you want protection whilst online.

[RedRooster]

You should also D/Load and install "The Cleaner" from http://www.moosoft.com/
This little proggie will sniff out any "Trojans" that may get into your PC!
You can also get the crack/patch from http://astalavista.box.sk/ just run a search for "The Cleaner" :)

Also, when running Zone Alarm, NEVER let any program act as a "server", if you do you are inviting allsorts of nasty little things onto your PC.

Red.

[Reesy]

hmmmmmm interesting...
how do you access the internet then if you dont "let anything act as a server" I have zone alarm and its ok even if it does slow net access down a tad (sorry im a lowly modem user... not through choice I might add!!!! I live in the stickiest of sticks!), if you dont let IE act as a server... how do you connect?

Or have I read this wrong?
Cheers
Reesy

[RedRooster]

Any program acting as a "server" is "receiving" data as well as sending it. When Zone Alarm asks if a program can access the internet, it means you are permitting that program to browse and send data. When Zone Alarm asks if the program can act as a server it is permitting the program to let data into your PC, this is where the aggro starts. In other words when ZA lets a program act as a server ZA is lowering its guard to allow data onto your PC...not a good move. Trust me on this, as someone who understands what a "Trojan" like Sub7, Back Orafice etc can do to your computer. Even worse, if you keep vital info on your PC you are open to all sorts of internet fraud :(

When my friend first dabbled on the net, I found his IP number and was in his PC like a dose of Epsom's. I moved allsorts of data around just to show him why he needed a Firewall like ZA installed

Red.

[Reesy]

hmmmmmmmm

yeah I understand all that, cheers anyway
BUT....
how do I access the internet or check my email if I dont let ZA allow these programmes to "act as servers"

Cheers
Reesy

[RedRooster]

Trust me...got to Zone Alarm control center and click on the programs tab, under "allow server" make sure EVERY program has a red "X". Close the control panel and you can still browse the net.
Another security feature is...do not use Outlook Express for emails. Use something like www.hushmail.com or www.safe-mail.net these email providers use encrypted emails from point to point.
I may be just paranoid when surfing, but I know how much damage a very clever "hacker" can cause when he has access to someone else's PC.
This place is good source of interest and will jolt anyone who is "slack" about internet security
http://grc.com/

Red.

[Reesy]

Cheers Mate,
Ill give it a go...
heres another simple tip for YOU.... dont use any microsoft products as these are the first ones that are target by viruses...

oh well thats me screwed then :)
Cheers for the info :)
Reesy