[Rhodes22-list] Router

[Mark Kaynor]

Slim,

Basically, a router acts like a traffic cop, directing packets of
information from one network to another. It can be implemented in either
software or hardware. It allows your local network (your computer) to talk
to the Internet.

Internet security is all about layers - a single layer of defense can (most
likely will)  fail - the idea is to place as many impediments in the way for
the crackers as you can. Make it hard on the bastards.

The RoadRunner service uses cable modem technology. Some cable modems come
with features that can be configured to perform firewall-like functions,
others do not. Your cable modem acts as your router. You should read the
documentation that came with your cable modem to see how "smart" it is. If
there's a configuration menu, you should also change the default password.
Lots of successful cracks occur because the sysadmin relies on default
passwords that are common knowledge among crackers.

I'm not a Mac guy, so I can't speak to the Mac, specifically. I maintain
several networks for my firm and our clients. We have firewalls in place and
have been very diligent about keeping up with and applying security patches
as we learn of them. "Door knob twisters" test us all the time. Automated
worms test us all the time. Bad guys from the Netherlands, Russia, China,
Czechoslovakia, and everywhere else in the world test us all the time. We
have servers that are connected to the Internet and these are like honey to
bees. When the crackers see an open port (like a web server or a mail
server) they start to drool <g>.

My advice: First, find and install some personal firewall software. A quick
search shows several for the Mac. Symantec / Norton makes one. Second, look
around on the net for Mac-specific security info - see the Symantec site or
http://www.macintoshsecurity.com/ as examples. Third, obtain, install, and
routinely maintain and update anti-virus software.

You can purchase and install a router if you feel a need to. A properly
configured router / firewall can be very difficult to crack. Keep in mind,
though, that an incorrectly configured router / firewall can be like having
no protection at all.

BTW - any of you PC users out there - if you don't need Microsoft file and
printer sharing, uninstall it. This is one simple way you can help keep the
bad guys (the "black hats") out.

Mark Kaynor

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Alm" <salm@mn.rr.com>
To: <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 2:13 AM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Router


> Saroj, Alex, David, Lloyd, and Will,
> Thanks for the info.  I had no idea I am being hacked constantly.  The
> National Security is surely in jeopardy!!!  I have many sensitive
documents
> that, if fallen into the wrong hands could...well...spell the doom of
> civilization as we know it.  BUMMER!
>
> Only one problem:  What's a router?  Where can I get one?  How do I plug
it
> in?
>
> Still waiting for MJM to chime in...
>
> Slim
>
>
> On 1/14/03 5:12 PM, "William P. Barry, III" <wp.barry@att.net> wrote:
>
> > I have a cable connection, as well as constantly having my computer
online.
> > The best firewall is one of hardware. Example: Router. With a router any
IP
> > address that leads to your home hits the router itself. All IPs off of
that
> > are network based and any pings hit the Router Hardware itself. Even if
> > there is only one computer attached to the router, that physical
blocking
> > device is the most protective in hiding your PC. The only way around it
that
> > the user can make more accessible is by leaving ports open. To do this
you
> > go into the router settings and enable port forwarding, so that you
yourself
> > can connect to your PC from outside the network. This should only be
used if
> > you change the default port number to something random, and when not in
use
> > disable this feature. As a secondary measure I use Sygate Personal
Firewall
> > on my PC, and am lucky to see anything hit my PC more than once or twice
a
> > year. With this software you can say yes or no to any connections coming
to,
> > or going out of your computer. Shockingly, you will find many
connections
> > being sent from your PC that you never even knew about trying to phone
home.
> > Most of these are just some ad programs that snuck onto your PC when you
> > download some freeware file. And the third measure of protection on my
PC
> > that I have is grisoft anti virus. This is a free virus program that
updates
> > itself on a set schedule, or on command. www.grisoft.com
> >
> >   Will Barry
> >   S/V Bulldog
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Alex Bell" <alexbell@coastalnet.com>
> > To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 5:21 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Hackers
> >
> >
> >> Slim,
> >>
> >> you're probably getting hit up 3 times an hour at a minimum. You won't
> >> see it unless you have some software that detects and protects you. I
> >> use BLACK ICE DEFENDER which can be bought and downloaded on the web.
> >> Looking at my log file, I see that one outfit has tried 52 times in the
> >> past year and there's a couple of hunderd addresses listed that have
> >> tried to enter my system from 50 to 20 times. I would look for
> >> something. It's just a matter of time before someone gets in and finds
> >> juicy tidbits.
> >>
> >> Alex.
> >>
> >> Steve Alm wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Mac users,
> >>>
> >>> I'm not really much of a computer expert but I'm wondering if I'm
> > leaving
> >>> myself open to hackers.  I use the broadband service (Road Runner) and
> > I'm
> >>> always online.  I have no firewall.  I don't even use any virus
> > protection
> >>> because I have a Mac...so far, I've never been hit.
> >>>
> >>> I've been looking at Lavasoft's Ad Aware anti spyware stuff and I was
> >>> wondering if any of you have any comments on this.  I don't know if it
> > even
> >>> runs on Mac.
> >>>
> >>> Of course I have all my file sharing stuff turned off, but...?
> >>>
> >>> I wouldn't want anyone to gain access to all of the very sensitive
> >>> information I have on my computer such as the lyrics to a thousand
dirty
> >>> songs.  :-)
> >>>
> >>> Slim
> >>>
> >>> _________________________________________________
> >>> Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >> _________________________________________________
> >> Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
> >
> > ---
> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> > Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 1/10/2003
> >
> > _________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
> _________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list