Leaving a Windows XP box permanently connected to the Internet

P

pkid

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2005
Messages
1,789
Reaction score
93
Location
Durban North
Hi

I have a USB Sentech Mywireless modem with no Ethernet port. So it will be almost impossible for me to use a router with it.

The reason I would want to get a router is for security. I have a fully patched Windows XP system with Mcafee Total Internet Protection with the firewall set to stealthed etc. I have tested it at www.grc.com and no ports are open. Do you think that it is safe to leave my PC connected 24/7? Thanks
 
They say leaving Windows XP running for more than a day at a time is like re-using a condom five or six times: theoretically it would work, but it's not highly advisable.

Murphy's First Law of Firewalls: the safety of the firewall is inversely proportional to the importance of the system being protected.

What I'm trying to say is: I wouldn't do it myself.
 
I bought the router for the ability to share the Internet connection across computers and for the file and printer sharing. I would have left the box connected. There are so many spyware and other malware out there that get in through your browser etc and so completely bypass the firewall that I think a router doesn't give you much protection anyway...
 
Start with trying to get linux on the pc or use a "live cd" would be a good start if you must leave it on 24/7 if your worried about security
Getting the USB Sentech Mywireless modem working could be a breeze or a nightmare ,Im sure there are a good couple of people able to help with that....
 
I still thank you shouldn't be so paranoid, the worst I've had on my permanently connected XP box was a tracking cookie! :D
 
The whole idea of broadband is to be permanently connected to the internet.

XP's firewall will protect you from the world.

It will not protect you from yourself, of course, or your anti-virus adware-sorry-software.

Yes, my worst infection behind an XP firewall has also been a tracking cookie.
 
Gatecrasher said:
The whole idea of broadband is to be permanently connected to the internet.

XP's firewall will protect you from the world.

It will not protect you from yourself, of course, or your anti-virus adware-sorry-software.

Yes, my worst infection behind an XP firewall has also been a tracking cookie.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't trust the XP firewall. It appears to be as secure as a sieve :eek: !!
 
If you want to be paranoid then you can install ZoneAlarm and have the devil's own job of setting it up...
 
Skeptik said:
I wouldn't trust the XP firewall. It appears to be as secure as a sieve :eek: !!
Click to expand...

Actually, it's like having no firewall at all. Tests run by PC WORLD and other online computer magazines show that 99% (or more) of the intrusion attempts on it went through. It just goes to show once again how incompetent Microsoft are with their security software. They're so-called antispyware product doesn't even detect something as simple as a tracking cookie. :rolleyes:
 
The only problem with it is that it's EXTREMELY annoying. It tends to drive you insane after a few days of using it. :p ;)
 
Before I had a router with firewall, I used Sygate personal firewall and it was excellent (it doesn't bug you all the time like ZoneAlarm). However I have seen that Sygate has been bought by Symantec, so the latest version will pro'lly be bloated, use 95% of your resources and not work correctly...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X