Hey folks. I was just reading through that thread that made the front page, and had some thoughts regarding security.
I have been using this computer on this cable connection for over a year now, and until now felt like I was pretty secure, though not 100%.
I connect my computer to the internet using a motorola SURFboard cable modem, through the USB port. I used to use the ethernet cable to my MOBO but the Cat-5 port on the modem was fried during a thunderstorm. Thankfully the USB still worked so I didn't have to buy a new one.
Anyhow, back on subject. I run AVG and keep it updated. I also run Spybot and Adaware frequently. I don't do any P2P sharing, and am very careful about opening attachment, even from friends.
However, I was reading something about how your IP can be scanned and open ports found and used to exploit IE or whatnot.
Mention of a firewall, something I don't use, and don't know much about, kind of got me thinking. Recently I started experiencing a lot of lag in AAO, the game I mostly play. Yeah, its probably server lag, because sometimes I seem to get a good server that is lag free, but the possibility of something accessing my machine that I'm unaware of is in the back of my mind now.
The main question I have is this. Do I really need a router even though I'm only connecting 1 computer to the connection? Should I enable the WinXP firewall, or is that generally useless?
Is my cable modem in itself a firewall, and if so, how do I access it to set it up?
Thanks for the help, sorry to sound so noobish, but I'm just concerned and like to do my part to keep the web cleaner, even if it means just ONE single computer that isn't contributing to the mess.
Maybe a FAQ should be posted at the top of this forum for users like me who know a lot about stuff but not enough about this subject?
Thanks!
I have been using this computer on this cable connection for over a year now, and until now felt like I was pretty secure, though not 100%.
I connect my computer to the internet using a motorola SURFboard cable modem, through the USB port. I used to use the ethernet cable to my MOBO but the Cat-5 port on the modem was fried during a thunderstorm. Thankfully the USB still worked so I didn't have to buy a new one.
Anyhow, back on subject. I run AVG and keep it updated. I also run Spybot and Adaware frequently. I don't do any P2P sharing, and am very careful about opening attachment, even from friends.
However, I was reading something about how your IP can be scanned and open ports found and used to exploit IE or whatnot.
Mention of a firewall, something I don't use, and don't know much about, kind of got me thinking. Recently I started experiencing a lot of lag in AAO, the game I mostly play. Yeah, its probably server lag, because sometimes I seem to get a good server that is lag free, but the possibility of something accessing my machine that I'm unaware of is in the back of my mind now.
The main question I have is this. Do I really need a router even though I'm only connecting 1 computer to the connection? Should I enable the WinXP firewall, or is that generally useless?
Is my cable modem in itself a firewall, and if so, how do I access it to set it up?
Thanks for the help, sorry to sound so noobish, but I'm just concerned and like to do my part to keep the web cleaner, even if it means just ONE single computer that isn't contributing to the mess.
Maybe a FAQ should be posted at the top of this forum for users like me who know a lot about stuff but not enough about this subject?
Thanks!