Quote:
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Originally Posted by Banana Man << snip >>
Don't know if you've got Firewall software at the moment, but this is a must if you have broadband. You'll get hackers coming at you from all directions, as soon as your PC is connected. |
Very important advice.
I have an ADSL modem / router* (NetGear) and this has built in Firewall whose default settings are:
* Allow all PC to internet (outbound) connections
* Disallow / block all internet to PC (inbound) connections
This should do the job, and is pretty secure, unless you want to contact into your PC from the internet.
I would guess most "free" modems supplied with services don't have such firewall options. (waits for someone to show me to be wrong)
If you run a software firewall on your PC this will consume SOME CPU and memory - but I don't know how much. ZoneLabs I believe is free and well trusted.
There is a freeware online tool that tests your setup vulnerability to hacking by port scanning - but I can't remember its name just now.
XP will probably automatically configure a software firewall for you and cause confusion at some point.
Yep you will be online a lot more.
Good luck.
Clive
{* it's really a hub than a router but let's not quibble}