Security Issues

[Samuari]

I installed dsl today and was having trouble logging in. The vender (aol) had me shut down my firewalls (Zone Labs, and Tiny)and it works fine. The tech said that they maintain a dymanic ip, so there shouldn't be a security problem. That doesn't sound right, but I'm no expert. Can someone tell me if I should be worried or not?

 

[Cheyenne]

I have no clue. But someone else on the board should be able to help I'd think!

 

[sch00lteacher]

I had to erase Zone Labs, to get mine to work, then put it back after, works fine. I confess I do not know Tiny.

Still, it sounds right to me. Make sure you have a firewall. They should work now.

 

[Zamdrist]

Can someone tell me if I should be worried or not?

A dynamic IP doesn't make you immune to attacks, just makes it less likely. Be sure and get the firewall running. Other's here may agree with me.

Why are you using AOL for dsl? Do you have other options?

 

[Samuari]

Thanks, guys. I have zone labs turned on and it seems to be working ok.

Zamdrist, AOL is actually cheaper than the compeating services that I've found, mostly because I get a discount as a Wal*Mart employee. I will be moving in the near future, and I'm not sure that I will be in an area that has dsl service available. I will have to go to cable in at least two of the houses that we are considering. I'm already spoiled by broadband .

 

[KillerMuffin]

Glad to hear it's working. I bit of advice, never leave your computer turned on or physically attached to the phone line without a firewall.

I would disregard that particular tech's advice pretty much forever.

Hop on over to www.grc.com and have 'em run a test on your ports to make sure everything's blocked like it should be.

 

[Guest]

 

[alexandraaah]

How much should it concern me that I have absolutely no idea what "firewall" is?

Is it possible I have this and don't know, as most of the shit on my computer?

 

[GuyJD]

AOL=Always Offline

It's funny that you should mention AOL-DSL. I don't have the DSL version but I've been using the AOL/CS bundle plan for several months now. Exactly 5 minutes ago however, I cancelled it and kept only the CompuServe. For the past few months, I would log onto AOL and suddenly, my computer freezes up. With the help of our lovable, huggable Nicole, I made a few adjustments on AOL but it only corrected the problem about 5 %. Now, my AOL would log on and not freeze up the computer but the start up page never download.
So after extending as much patience as I can find in myself, I just had AOL remove me from the bundle package and allow me to keep the CompuServe.

 

[Black_Bird]

How much should it concern me that I have absolutely no idea what "firewall" is?

BE AFRAID!

http://zonealarm.com/

Is it possible I have this and don't know, as most of the shit on my computer?

No... If you had a firewall, you would know it. It's one of those things that are kind of hard to miss.

Our first PC went up in smoke 'cause my father didn't think we needed protection... He *still* doesn't have a anti-virus on that thing (thick headed fucker), but at least now he has zonealarm. If you have a highspeed internet connection, a fire wall is a MUST. Anti-virus software is also fairly important. I wouldn't go on the web without either.

 

[alexandraaah]

okay, i'm looking at this. amazing, i never knew anything about this. getting help via email...thanks.

 

[Samuari]

Thanks Muff. It looks like everything is hunky-dory so I'm good to go.

Alex, darlin' you really do need to look into those security thingys Good luck.

 

[Spinaroonie]

About AOL from the Guide to the Internet.

AOL si teh best ISP too use but DONT USE AOL BECUASE ITS FOR FAGOTS!!! JERRY uses AOL and his parants wont even let him watch HBO! So dont watch HBO or else it turns off yuor Lunix and then goodbye Linus Torvolvos! I use Platinum AOL which si liek AOL but si a exclusive club liek the NWA or BALACK PANTHERS. besides Mircosoft si bettar its intarnet ready and if yuo use lunix and want to cruise on the instrumation Suparhighway then yuo have too do all kinds of stuped sLunix crap

makes you think.

 

[Texan]

Thank y'all

I've spent the past hour or so reading from this thread and the associated websites. About a year ago, I installed a router for the four computers I have here in the house. The router connects those four computers to my DSL modem. The router was supposed to have a fairly elaborate firewall system built-in, but I had never tested that capability.

KM, thanks for the link to the GRC website. I used their diagnostics to check the router and all four computers. The good news is, my system is secure. Apparently, the firewall in the router is working the way it was advertised.

Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, km!!

 

[LukkyKnight]

OK, now that you've made it that far, here's the bad news.

Stealth mode, as ZoneAlarm calls it, is very good for a single machine - but it's really not a firewall. By definition a firewall would be a separate machine which does nothing but handle incoming (and likely outbound) traffic to keep it from ever reaching other machines that have other things to do. ZoneAlarm would at best be comparable to a router, not a separate firewall setup (let alone an application-level Firewall product, which is a rare bird indeed.)

The good news is, for the most part it's sufficient for home users because your machine is simply not that interesting to a serious hacker. What you have there is just a box which might be used for other purposes (most hackers don't do that, they're mostly running scripts they don't even understand which make them feel smarter than you...) Your personal box is possibly a springboard to your personal accounts (if you're silly enough to let it store those passwords) but those also aren't very big... what's interesting is the databases at places like banks and brokerage firms.

The great news is you're now more aware of the nature of the threats and the degree of one's exposure on the net. It's NOT safe out there, it's an unguarded highway with some safe havens sprinkled around, but if you think about what you're doing it's possible to enjoy the internet and the benefits it offers without becoming one of the highwaymen's victims.

 

[Guest]

 

[LukkyKnight]

You're doing what you can, LL, short of adding in your own firewall - which for most people is not worth the cost-to-benefit ratio. I applaud your newfound interest and the measures you've taken.

ISPs would do well to screen out the sorts of probes that most (if not all) of them let through still (why the hell does ANY ISP let NetBIOS traffic past their router, for instance? It's only valid purpose is on a LAN...) but if you tend to your own machine you should feel good - just aware that there's more to being on the internet than turning the box on and trusting the ISP to keep the bad guys at bay. OK, I admit, I think I know why they don't bother to implement most obvious changes, but I still don't like it.

 

[BlkPnthr]

I installed dsl today and was having trouble logging in. The vender (aol) had me shut down my firewalls (Zone Labs, and Tiny)and it works fine. The tech said that they maintain a dymanic ip, so there shouldn't be a security problem. That doesn't sound right, but I'm no expert. Can someone tell me if I should be worried or not?

I'd be worried. I am on a dynamic IP as well, but it seldom changes. Best thing to do is put a personal firewall up and open specific ports to suit your needs.