IP Address Question?

[fracl]

WOW!! thanks so much vvirtho! .. I'm good for a while now! .

[Ghost_25inf]

the main thing you need to know is how to get into your router, Like Linksys all you need to type in the IE address bar is 192.168.1.1 this will change later, but anyways it will prompt you for your user name and password if you never used this before it will be no user name and admin for the password, understand that this changes with the router u are using. now you should be in (if you arnt refer to router manual) in the setup page you should have the ablity to change the IP address to what you want. like 10.31.1.1 this is a class A address next below that is the subnet mask choose 255.255.255.0 this is your class C subnet mask. so now you will have a fake class A address. and if anyone was to look at your address they would think you where running a Class A address and they would make the mistake in using a class A subnet mask (255.0.0.0).

there is also a place in your router where you can filter out IP addresses, you could play with this also. IE block WAN requests.

If you are running directly off a modem none of this can be done. So get a good firewall and restrict anyone from connecting to your computer.

[spankmespanky]

can i ask a question here or do i have to start a new thread?

[DjM]

If it's related to what's being covered in this thread, then yes, if not....start a new one.

Chers:

[fracl]

Hey thanks Ghost_25inf!
But I got in and change something,so now I can't go back in?.. so I called the company!! and me and the girl tried so many things? but I still can't go back in? we tried reseting it and everything but!! finally I hung up cause it was all useless after a while?

Anyways! I'm gonna try and get me a good firewall next month or so? Witch one chould I buy? I know this is asking a lot,cause of all the personal preferances but!! a few idea's would be nice! cause I don't want to get what the seller is gonna say is the bvest one because he's trying to get rid of his stock?
Also,should i get one with a popup blocker? or whatever els would be good in a package!!

I'd like to get something that's gonna pass the Sygate test?
Alright Thanks!

[fracl]

Hey Guys!
Just an update on my situation!! Today I called back D-Link! and they got me all set-up .
I'm even passing the Sygate security Scan now!! now that's a big step for me.!So now I got rid of the zone Alarm PRO that i got off kazaA! and I'm not even using a firewall the way I'm setup ..
Now I'd like to know! am I safe enough? or should I still use a Firewall? cause i don't want to over do it?
But is passing that Sygate test good Enough is what I'd like to know?

Thanks!

[PoSer]

I would still recommend that you use a software firewall.
There is no such thing as too much protection if you know how to use it.

[fracl]

Thanks For the Reply PoSer!
But! what kind of firewall do you suggest? Is the windows XP Home internal Firewall good enough with the hardware firewall I got?.. or should I get a free version of some kind? or,do you think I should get a pro Version? ..

[bluthund]

fractl,
you have to start somewhere...I am taking classes in routing (cisco) and network defense
and countermeasures. Guess what, there are a lot of knowledgeable folks in my class, and most of them have differing opinions about which software firewall is the best. It is the same here, in this forum or others; probably because of the various experiences we all have and also because the term "Firewall" means many things. A firewall is best described as the sum of software, hardware, and a good policy.

1. Software:
In order to communicate over the internet we need to agree on some kind of common language. That is what protocols are all about; they define the way the bits are arranged and transmitted. There are many protocols, and by their nature, each of them have vulnerabilities. Joe and Jane next door don't have time to learn everything about protocols, so they go out and download or buy software that mitigates these vulnerabilities and simplifies configuration.
Problem is, that some Blackhat out there figures a new way to exploit a new found vulnerability. The folks that produce software firewalls, spend time coming up with new defenses, ways to recognize the signatures of these 'exploits'. That is what "updates" are about, and that takes time and $$.

2. Hardware:
Routers and dedicated hardware platforms are a means of controlling the flow of traffic, the bits if you will. They use software themselves to regulate the protocols, but are more specialized. This kind of hardware gives you control over what kind of traffic you want to allow or deny and in which direction this traffic can flow. This is called filtering. NAT, or network address translation is another function of what some routers can do. The lines between software and hardware often blurs, as you can do many of these things on a regular computer, so as mentioned above, its all about specializing for certain tasks at hand.

3. Policy
This is probably the one area where you have the most control over. You decide who can use your computer and what they are allowed to do. This is "Access Control", and it starts with good "Passwords" and "Permissions" or user rights. Often you are the only user, but you still should use passwords. If you use software to protect your computer, you should keep it updated. Your OS needs to stay updated as well, because people frequently find new vulnerabilities that can be exploited. How you handle e-mails is something you control.
The choices you make in surfing various sites and what you download is in your control. Do you scan everything you download? Are you using good judgement in what you choose to download? There are many issues to consider, but maybe the single most important one is for you to continue to educate yourself in computerese, especially if security is important to you and you do not want to spend the money for someone elses help. It does take time to acquire the knowledge, just as Rome was not built in one day. Also, if you have a broadband or DSL connection, there is no reason to leave it on during the times you are away from your computer. Create a shortcut of the connection icon to your desktop or quicklaunch bar. It is not like a dial-up modem, where you have to wait a long time for the connection to be established. The main reason for a broadband or DSL connection is speed, or throughput, while you are connected, right? If there is no connection to the internet while you are away, nothing gets in, nothing gets out!!! And last but not least, stick to your policy.

I have tried to give you a "starting point", and as you can see, it turned into a lengthy reply. Others could easily give you more qualified explanations, this is just my way of explaining to you how complex your question can be. Do take heart.
Looks like you have your work cut out for yourself. Now get to work...

g8way2u

[bluthund]

LOL
I forgot, you can't scan downloaded files, if you don't have something to scan them with. So what do you scan the downloaded free Firewall or Anti-Virus app with?
Kind of a catch 22. Pure torture....

a little bit of humor...

g8way2u