Chip Rose <ncrose@pinn.net> [2002-12-07 15:04:25 -0500]: > I'm thinking of getting a Cox cable connection/modem, and was > wondering how hard it is to make the static IP address secure. I > don't have a lot of knowledge in this area. What is needed? A > cable modem that I could lease or buy on Ebay, and a network > interface card, and turn off all unneeded services - how easy would > it be for someone to hack me, and what all could they generally > accomplish? Is getting a cable connection a no-no for someone of my > limited knowledge level? You will like the high speed connection. Don't be scared off. Everyone will recommend a backup so recover from in the case of trouble. A CD writer is convenient and doubles for this. A high reason crackers want systems on high speed networks is so they can have a fast network source. A thousand cable 'bots from all over the planet all pinging a site can overwhelm it in a distributed denial of service attack which cannot be blocked since the sources are all over the place. And there are other purposes. Who can understand the reasoning of the sociopath? Don't try. Just block them. Although the linux kernel iptables firewalls are excellent I still recommend a separate firewall box between your computer and the Evil Internet. That way you can have a lot more freedom over what you do on your own computer. You can install software without worrying as much about how that is going to affect your security. You are independent of the OS you are running behind it. In my opinion the cable modem should always have had one of these built into it. A firewall box like a Linksys, D-Link or Netgear or other is just perfect for SOHO needs. They run around $80 right now. Look for a rebate or sale and save. No disk drive to crash, no need for backup, no fan, quiet and can be left on for instant access. You can add a second or third computer trivially. You can run any OS you want behind the firewall since these are usually configured by a web interface. Bob
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