Internet security...

A

ADSL Newbie

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Hey guys.

My flatmate (on the same network as me) has just been disconnected from his Internet, after not being able to get his connection back, we tried everything we could think about(twice), but he finally decided to format his windows-partition and re-install Windows.

When he tried that, he got an error message saying his whole drive is corrupt.
So he formatted his whole drive.

I think this is the result of either malicious software(a result of our ignorance when it came to our Internet Security.)

Can one of IT-geniusses give me some advice on making my computer secure?
Just a basic checklist on what I need for a relatively secure connection...

This is the details of my connection ATM :

Telkom Mega 100WR - router in bridged mode.
Windows Firewall enabled (seeing as my modem's firewall is by-passed when used in bridged mode)
AVG Free edition - up to date.
 
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I don't quite understand what happened? He disconnected from internet and then you had to format?


Well, for one, I would certainly change from AVG. The fact that It's free tells the tale. If you want proper virus protection, use something you have to pay for like NOD32 (what I use) or Norton.
 
AVG is fine. Firewalls are a pain, rather get a network monitor like netlimiter so you can see what is accessing what and where and the speed etc.
 
FaTaL said:
I don't quite understand what happened? He disconnected from internet and then you had to format?


Well, for one, I would certainly change from AVG. The fact that It's free tells the tale. If you want proper virus protection, use something you have to pay for like NOD32 (what I use) or Norton.
Click to expand...
You can do plenty better than norton - Kapersky (free via AOL) and AVG come to mind as superior solutions.

If your router is in bridged mode you do need a good firewall - just go through the windows one and look at the exceptions - if you see unnecessary ones disable them.
 
Yeah , I had problems with AVG as well...
We run LAN-cables to a switch and then from the switch to the modem.

The problem I'm having with AVG is that we can't seem to get our network's file-sharing going, we've got static IP's and try to access each other directly using Netscan.

@FaTaL :

FaTaL said:
I don't quite understand what happened? He disconnected from internet and then you had to format?
Click to expand...

Yeah , realised what I said didn't make sense, edited it...

Oh yeah ,thanks guys...
 
BTW : AVG Free has bugger all to do with networking. Can you ping one another, is file and print sharing on, is netbios names enabled???
 
ADSL Newbie said:
Yeah , I had problems with AVG as well...
We run LAN-cables to a switch and then from the switch to the modem.

The problem I'm having with AVG is that we can't seem to get our network's file-sharing going, we've got static IP's and try to access each other directly using Netscan.

@FaTaL :



Yeah , realised what I said didn't make sense, edited it...

Oh yeah ,thanks guys...
Click to expand...
Have you checked the windows firewall setting for the lan connection? It will be different than the bridged ADSL connection.
 
bwana said:
Just go through the windows one (Firewall) and look at the exceptions - if you see unnecessary ones disable them.
Click to expand...

So the Windows Firewall is sufficient?
I read in the pamphlet Telkom gave me that I could go to the "Gibson Research Corporation" to download a "better" software firewall...?:confused:
 
ADSL Newbie said:
So the Windows Firewall is sufficient?
I read in the pamphlet Telkom gave me that I could go to the "Gibson Research Corporation" to download a "better" software firewall...?:confused:
Click to expand...
I didnt know GRC did firewall software.

What I do know is they do a free testing service called Shields Up that you can use to probe for vulnurabilities - you'll find it at grc.com.

Btw if you're interested in security I hope you listen to the excellent "Security Now" podcast Steve Gibson does with Leo Laporte of Twit.tv.
 
bwana said:
Have you checked the windows firewall setting for the lan connection? It will be different than the bridged ADSL connection.
Click to expand...

Went into that settings, should I enable all?
None of them seem to be relevant to file-sharing on a network (or other ppl on the network accessing my PC)?
 
How did you go about setting the Mega 100WR in Bridge mode?
 
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