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Thread: Network Security

  1. #1
    Junior Member
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    Apr 2002
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    Network Security

    I am currently trying to build a secure network to protect my computer running Windows 98 from any outside source. I am thinking of building another computer and running Linux as the OS and using it as a router to connect to the internet (yes I have dial-up, and yes I am ashamed). But I am thinking of running an open source Linux (once I learn to use it, heh, thats on the to-do list) and putting firewalls on it. I also plan on booting it on a disk so no need for a hard drive. Then I plan on putting security on the Windows computer as well. This is only a basic starting idea and I would appreciate any input you can help me with.
    \"What doesn\'t kill me only makes me stronger\" Nietzsche

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Sep 2001
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    All linux' are open source. However some of the software (which is what actually makes it a distro) is not always open source. There are many firewall distros that can sit on floppy or CD. Take a look on http://www.linux.org at their list to find one that interests

  3. #3
    You might wanna check this out:
    http://www.faqs.org/faqs/firewalls-faq/

  4. #4

    Re: Network Security

    Originally posted here by DaRkVeRtiGo
    I am thinking of building another computer and running Linux as the OS and using it as a router to connect to the internet (yes I have dial-up, and yes I am ashamed). But I am thinking of running an open source Linux (once I learn to use it, heh, thats on the to-do list) and putting firewalls on it. I also plan on booting it on a disk so no need for a hard drive.
    Great idea! You can learn a lot from projects like this. There are many floppy based distros available on the internet for free. Two popular ones that I would recommend are:

    http://www.freesco.org/
    http://www.linuxrouter.org/

    There are many more, however, these two seem to be mentioned more often than others. Hope that helps.

    B.T.W - Not all distros are open source. For example, I don't think SuSE's installer and software is open source (certainly not GPL.) Please correct me if Im wrong.

    --Sudo

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    Jan 2002
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    did I hear Windows 98 and security in the same sentence....If you build yourself a linux gateway/firewall, spend your time learning to configure it and don't bother with trying to secure the windows 98 machine unless you are hosting something on it (not likely with dial-up)

  6. #6
    If you serious about your networks security then building your own personal firewall would probably be your last sollution, if you want good protection try getting ZoneAlarm, I would also recommend some other scanner that scans all conections going in and out of your network, therefore protecting your computer to the maximum..(http://www.ZoneAlarm.com/)

  7. #7
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    Jul 2002
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    I agree with the previous posts on Windows and security not being the best of combinations, but if you are set on a Linux FW, here is a site to help you out from A to Z (http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Firewall-HOWTO.html) and here's a site for the "simple" Linux FW (http://www.isaac.cs.berkeley.edu/simple-firewall.html). Hope this helps...

    ...aberration...
    [shadow]
    \"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.\"
    ~ Albert Einstein ~ [/shadow]

  8. #8
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    Feb 2003
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    SysAdmin had an article about this a while back here is the link http://www.samag.com/documents/s=115...101i/0101i.htm

    You could try Smoothwall located at http://www.smoothwall.org
    or dubbele at http://www.dubbele.com/ if you are agnostic

    Have fun!

  9. #9
    Senior Member
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    Jan 2003
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    686
    If you are interested in recycling old hardware, check out http://www.coyotelinux.com. I knew nothing about how to setup ipchains and such, but I was told about CL and used it as my firewall/router for almost a year (until I moved in with someone who had a router they "had to use"). Very nice, very easy to use, and nice to configure. I can even give you some tips and help with configuring the firewall if you need it ;-)

    But what I meant by "recycling old hardware" is that all you need to run CL is a 486DX2, 16MB of RAM, a floppy drive, two ethernet cards (or an ethernet card and modem), and power. Really nice setup, runs so nicely, and is so cheap! =)
    [shadow]There is no right and wrong, only fun and boring...
    Formatting my server because someone hacked into it sounds pretty boring to me...
    That\'s why it\'s all about AntiOnline.com!
    [/shadow]

  10. #10
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    Nov 2002
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    I think you may need to use windows2000 proffessional it has high security than win98, it gives you the ability to build your own security, you can control these things......or go to linux..it is the most secure operating system in the world , but you may have a big problem to deal with it, especially at installation.............
    if you need help just send your question to star_eng@hotmail.com

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