since I've had no luck with the router and adapter, I used the short USB Cable to plug into this computer so now I can get online. My ? is what privacy do I have connecting to another computer through the cable modem? I mean can hackers or anyone see what I am doing? and if so what can I do to make sure my privacy online is protected?
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Hooking up to a High Internet Speed Cable Modem 2
- Thread starter Igotu
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It depends if your cable modem has a built in firewall. If the cable modem has a firewall built in, you are more secure then if it does not. Easy way to tell is to look at your IP address. If the IP address is something like 192.168.X.X or 172.16.X.X the cable modem has a built in firewall. If it's something other then thoes two, you have a "live ip" making it easier for someone to access your system. Even with a firewall on your router, I highly recommend having windows XP's built in firewall enabled or using Zone Alam's free firewall if you don't have XP. It's also necessary to get some form of anti-virus software. Just because you are behind a firewall, doesn't mean some one can't run malicious code on your system. Don't give yourself a false since of security. Make sure you have anti-virus, a local software firewall, and I'd even recomend some kind of anti-spyware software (usually bundled with anti-virus).
Good luck!
Good luck!
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As long as your IP is visable, you are open to attack. Installing a firewall is highly recommended. If you are Running Windows XP, you have a firewall built in. Please do not rely on this.
There are a few firewalls that spring to mind that are free to use:
1) Zonealarm 2) Kerio Personal firewall 3) Ghostwall I have used Zonealarm & Kerio & would recommend either.
Never tried Ghostwall, so couldn't say.
Please do not use Norton Internet security, not good.
There are a few firewalls that spring to mind that are free to use:
1) Zonealarm 2) Kerio Personal firewall 3) Ghostwall I have used Zonealarm & Kerio & would recommend either.
Never tried Ghostwall, so couldn't say.
Please do not use Norton Internet security, not good.
- Thread starter
- #4
For anti-Virus try AVG free edition Adware programs are available & you can run more than one.
Ad-aware & Spybot S&D are both good.
You could also try Windows Defender This is still in Beta version, but it has realtime protection.
Ad-aware & Spybot S&D are both good.
You could also try Windows Defender This is still in Beta version, but it has realtime protection.
One other thing to keep in mind. Do NOT run several different firewalls. To many firewalls can make access to the internet impossible. More and more software comes "bundled" with it's own version of a firewall and because of this, I've seen an increase in support incidences where people can not access the internet. More often then not, it's because they have 3 or more different firewall software running on there system. Again, I recomend at least having windows XP's built in firewall installed. I've also had good luck with zone alarm or McAfee's firewall. I agree with kestrel to stay away from Norton.
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