Internet Troubles - Can Any EN World Computer Techies Help Me?

[ssampier]

Olaf the Stout, glad you are staying connected.

As for your question, the router has several important functions, most of which I won't go into here. The "security" portion is NAT, Network Address Translation; basically hackers have a more difficult time to actually touch your computer. Other routers use SPI - stateful packet inspection. This where the data you request to the wide-world is allowed back to your system. Everything else is blocked.

Consumer Grade Routers run about $50 US, that include the wired and wireless switch (where you can plug all your computers into).

These are gross over-simplications. I could bore you with the details, but I'd rather let someone else do it for me:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/router.htm
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,117557-page,1/article.html

Besides this problem, how has the switch gone?

I am on a dial-up with old phone lines and it takes forever to do anything on the net. I have long been thinking about Verizon's DSL but always back out. Reading this further scares me.

DSL is pretty simple (for the home user anyway). Since service can vary from region to region, it's best to ask neighbors about their experiences with Verizon. One concern is that your phone lines are old. If you get noise on voice, then DSL will be negatively effected (sloooooooooow speeds). If you have the means and time, I'd spring for new CAT5e or CAT6 cabling in your home to replace it ($$$$).

Lastly, I'm not a software firewall fan*, but if you are going to use one, ZoneAlarm is a good, relatively simple one.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Olaf the Stout, glad you are staying connected.

As for your question, the router has several important functions, most of which I won't go into here. The "security" portion is NAT, Network Address Translation; basically hackers have a more difficult time to actually touch your computer. Other routers use SPI - stateful packet inspection. This where the data you request to the wide-world is allowed back to your system. Everything else is blocked.

Consumer Grade Routers run about $50 US, that include the wired and wireless switch (where you can plug all your computers into).

These are gross over-simplications. I could bore you with the details, but I'd rather let someone else do it for me:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/router.htm
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,117557-page,1/article.html




DSL is pretty simple (for the home user anyway). Since service can vary from region to region, it's best to ask neighbors about their experiences with Verizon. One concern is that your phone lines are old. If you get noise on voice, then DSL will be negatively effected (sloooooooooow speeds). If you have the means and time, I'd spring for new CAT5e or CAT6 cabling in your home to replace it ($$$$).

Lastly, I'm not a software firewall fan*, but if you are going to use one, ZoneAlarm is a good, relatively simple one.

Thanks for the info ssampier. Are you saying that software firewalls aren't needed? If you don't use one, what internet protection do you use?

Olaf the Stout

 

[ssampier]

I use a Router with SPI firewall, plus Antivirus and spyware protection; that's it.

I have considered building a Linux box for advanced firewall protection, but at the moment, it's not really needed.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I use a Router with SPI firewall, plus Antivirus and spyware protection; that's it.

I have considered building a Linux box for advanced firewall protection, but at the moment, it's not really needed.

What is a SPI firewall?

Olaf the Stout

 

[ssampier]

The links I posted has some description of it.

Here's another:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stateful_firewall

Granted nothing is "perfect" security wise. There are risks and trade-offs between security and convenience/speed.

 

[Agamon]

I use a Router with SPI firewall, plus Antivirus and spyware protection; that's it.

Yep, that's what I do, too. Norton isn't a crappy company just like McDonalds isn't a crappy company (but I wouldn't want to rely on Micky-Ds for prolonged nourishment needs...).

It is even more frustrating because I have recently found an online version of the Games Workshop game Blood Bowl and I have been playing online against other people.

A fellow FUMBBLer! Cool. We're on opposite sides on the planet, but what's your nick, I'll look you up.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Yep, that's what I do, too. Norton isn't a crappy company just like McDonalds isn't a crappy company (but I wouldn't want to rely on Micky-Ds for prolonged nourishment needs...).


A fellow FUMBBLer! Cool. We're on opposite sides on the planet, but what's your nick, I'll look you up.

Unsurprisingly it is Olaf_the_Stout!

 

[dshai527]

Hey Olaf have all of your questions been answered? If not PM Aurora (Since she is the community supporter in the family) and she will send you our info and I will call you and walk you through a few things. Its just easier than typing it all out. Thanks.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Yep, that's what I do, too. Norton isn't a crappy company just like McDonalds isn't a crappy company (but I wouldn't want to rely on Micky-Ds for prolonged nourishment needs...).


A fellow FUMBBLer! Cool. We're on opposite sides on the planet, but what's your nick, I'll look you up.

PM sent re: FUMBBL Agamon.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Hey Olaf have all of your questions been answered? If not PM Aurora (Since she is the community supporter in the family) and she will send you our info and I will call you and walk you through a few things. Its just easier than typing it all out. Thanks.

PM sent to Aurora dhai527.

Thanks,

Olaf the Stout