On my W2K machine with an internal Intel 2100 DSL modem...if the phone line does not go into the modem then there is no problem with virus etc, right? Is there an "inline" switch that can go in the phone line for remote access to shut off the line, and then disable firewall and virus programs for better computer performance? Does this make sense?
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No phone line = no virus problem?
- Thread starter Toonah
- Start date
the easiest way i know of to disconnect from the dsl, is to phsyically reach behind the computer and unplug it. fastest and easiest. everyday you learn something new, the day you dont is the day you die....so make someone live longer teach them something.......MUTT
Personally I would recommend getting an external DSL modem, connecting it's output to a home router, and using a NIC card to connect to the router.
This will also make it very easy to add additional computers to your home lan. This way, your ISP only sees one PC at your house and you can hook many machines to it sharing the connection.
The router will also give you the added protection of a hardware firewall for all machines connected to it, making the use of a software firewall such as ZoneAlarm or blackIce etc.. not as important.
When I hooked mine up at home, left ZoneAlarm run for over a month, and never once did ZA report a netbios attempt. Then i simply uninstalled ZA and have the resources it used back. Good luck, and Happy Computing
This will also make it very easy to add additional computers to your home lan. This way, your ISP only sees one PC at your house and you can hook many machines to it sharing the connection.
The router will also give you the added protection of a hardware firewall for all machines connected to it, making the use of a software firewall such as ZoneAlarm or blackIce etc.. not as important.
When I hooked mine up at home, left ZoneAlarm run for over a month, and never once did ZA report a netbios attempt. Then i simply uninstalled ZA and have the resources it used back. Good luck, and Happy Computing
One other thing, do NOT get rid of the antivirus software. It simply is not worth the risk of getting a virus and having to rebuild your machine, or worse, having to rebuild your life/credit because of one that sends your info out to the world.
Any outside connection or any type of media inserted into the computer could introduce a virus in your computer.
Not a risk I am personally willing to take. Especially since I am not the only user of the machine, I can't control what gets stuck into a drive on it. Good luck, and Happy Computing
Any outside connection or any type of media inserted into the computer could introduce a virus in your computer.
Not a risk I am personally willing to take. Especially since I am not the only user of the machine, I can't control what gets stuck into a drive on it. Good luck, and Happy Computing
- Thread starter
- #7
A "NIC" card is a Network Interface Card, it usually is installed into a PCI slot on the motherboard. A Router as a network device that the cables from each of the computers(workstations) are plugged into to share resources, etc. I'm guessing you are now on a cable modem for high speed access. The physical layout would be something like:
Cable from outlet|Cable Modem(external..you need an ethernet/RJ45 Cat5 cable connection|cat5 cable to Router| Router to NIC card.
The router can have a firewall(hardware) or you can install on your PC a software firewall such as Zone Alarm.
Cable from outlet|Cable Modem(external..you need an ethernet/RJ45 Cat5 cable connection|cat5 cable to Router| Router to NIC card.
The router can have a firewall(hardware) or you can install on your PC a software firewall such as Zone Alarm.
Toonah,
A simple description of a router would be: A router is a device that has one port for input from the modem (external) and a built in switch (multiple ports) for output to your computers.
The router obtains an IP address from your I-net provider, (which in your case your internal modem is doing this part)and then its built in DHCP server, hands out IP addresses to each computer plugged into the switch thus sharing the one internet connection with all of your PC's. This also gets around some ISP's practice of trying to charge additional fees for additional PC's on your network.
A NIC is a network interface card that provides the interface between your PC and the switch of the router.
It also provides connectivity to the other PC's on the network, allowing you to share files and folders between your PC's.
The result of this setup, is a basic home ethernet network.
One of the main benefits of this type of setup, is the IP address the router gets from the I-net provider will be a public IP address,(one that potentially can be seen from any internet connection)
and the one supplied to your PC, (handed out by the routers' DHCP server) will be from your private network, making your PC invisible to the public internet, provided the unit is set up correctly.
The good news to the novice user is, most home routers will come out of the box pre-setup and by default be locked down pretty tight.
You can get these item at any electronics / computer store, such as Best Buy.
You can get a router for around $75 or so with rebate, a NIC for around $20 or so, and the cables used to connect the two, for around $5 each.
As you can see, this is an inexpensive set-up, the potential benefits are huge, and as you already know, you have the best support group in the world to help you hook it up if you run into trouble. Good luck, and Happy Computing
A simple description of a router would be: A router is a device that has one port for input from the modem (external) and a built in switch (multiple ports) for output to your computers.
The router obtains an IP address from your I-net provider, (which in your case your internal modem is doing this part)and then its built in DHCP server, hands out IP addresses to each computer plugged into the switch thus sharing the one internet connection with all of your PC's. This also gets around some ISP's practice of trying to charge additional fees for additional PC's on your network.
A NIC is a network interface card that provides the interface between your PC and the switch of the router.
It also provides connectivity to the other PC's on the network, allowing you to share files and folders between your PC's.
The result of this setup, is a basic home ethernet network.
One of the main benefits of this type of setup, is the IP address the router gets from the I-net provider will be a public IP address,(one that potentially can be seen from any internet connection)
and the one supplied to your PC, (handed out by the routers' DHCP server) will be from your private network, making your PC invisible to the public internet, provided the unit is set up correctly.
The good news to the novice user is, most home routers will come out of the box pre-setup and by default be locked down pretty tight.
You can get these item at any electronics / computer store, such as Best Buy.
You can get a router for around $75 or so with rebate, a NIC for around $20 or so, and the cables used to connect the two, for around $5 each.
As you can see, this is an inexpensive set-up, the potential benefits are huge, and as you already know, you have the best support group in the world to help you hook it up if you run into trouble. Good luck, and Happy Computing
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