Switching to cable

[eurolarva]

Re: Switching to cable

Spinner I hooked my system up with a Linkseys router and wireless adapter. It is simple to do and the cable company does not need to know nor do they care that I am using two computers on the same system. The router I bought is wireless and you can buy a wireless adapter card for your laptop or hookup a wireless adapter to a usb port on your laptop if you have one. the cost of a router and wireless adapter is about 120 dollars. If you hardwire the router to your laptop you need to have an eithernet card installed on the laptop.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Switching to cable

I have that already onboard the laptop.<br />That was what I was talking about.<br />It already has the ethernet card.<br /><br />Sooooo, all I need is a router and some cable then.<br />HMMMMMMM.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Switching to cable

SBN,<br />Yes, you can connect 4 computers directly to most routers (they have 4 ports on the back) using straight thru Cat5 network cables. Since you're laptop already has a builtin Ethernet adaptor, it's as simple as running the cable and pluging it in. <br /><br />The most important thing to do is to read the destructions that come with the router. This insures that you get up and running without a hassle. The first thing you would want to do is change the default password of the router itself. If you don't , it's possible for someone on the Web to hack into YOUR router and lock YOU out of the router by using the default password. Don't worry, you can always press a reset button on the router and take back control of you router IF this were to happen. Don't let this scare you into thinking that all of this router stuff is hard, it's not, just read the manual (sound familiar??--HA!) They wouldn't be selling as many routers as they do if they were that hard to install.<br /><br />Another nice thing about having both computers connected to a router is file sharing between the computers. There are setup steps to do this too, and they are simple steps. You can also share a printer that both computers can use too.<br /><br />Another option is to buy a wireless router. It does the same thing as a conventional wired router (Cat5 cables) plus it will allow you to connect to it with a wireless Lan Card (pcmcia type) in your laptop. <br /><br />The wired only router offers the best security in that others would have to be connected to your router with a cable to have access to your files and your internet connection. The wireless router opens up the possibility of others using your internet connection if it's not setup right. <br /><br />I won't go into a white paper here explaining the pitfalls of wireless networking , as it's all over the Web. The ease of wireless is offset by extra setup, from a security standpoint.<br /><br />FYI, most folks don't turn on the built-in security options of their wireless routers which makes them wide open for attack.<br /><br />One more thing, when you get your cable modem installed, ask the installer NOT to install the CD that comes with the service. Have him provision your modem and input your information manually. Their software usually installs network protocols into your computer that allow THEM to look at your system, for "Technical Help" issues. While you can remove these protocols after the installer leaves, it's easier not to install them in the first place. I personally have a problem with them installing any software on my machine that allows them to access my computer.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Switching to cable

SBN, thanks for speed check link, mine came back as;<br /> <br />File Size: 2.9297 MB <br />Time Elapsed: 5.758 seconds <br /><br />------------------------------------------------- <br /> 4.07 Mbps <br />(521.02 KBps) <br />

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Switching to cable

Xcusme. Thanks for all the info.<br />Bad thing is that it is already installed.<br />I have had cable now for about a month.<br /><br />The installer did use the cd to set up my computer, so does this create a problem with a router now?

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Switching to cable

Nope, not really. If you ever did have to call for tech support, they will try to ping your IP address and see that you're firewalled (if you do have the router) and say something like " Do you have a firewall?? I can't 'see' you're machine" Duuuh !!! That's WHY you have the router!!! They are looking to see you're setup by using those little 'helper' programs that were installed from the CD...<br /><br />Sometimes they'll ask , "Can you disconnect your router so that I can check your setup??" Fat Chance....Like I said I personally have a problem with letting anyone into my system...period. Not that I have any big secrets to hide, it's just that I don't want them snooping around in my machine...you get the idea.<br /><br />If you were to go into your network settings and see any entries that mention VPN (Virtual Private Networking), those are the files I'm talking about. FYI, AOL users have them installed with the AOL software, any flavor. If you remove them , AOL software will not run and the AOL software re-installs them again, all by itself!!!<br />That's my idea of spyware if you ask me. AOL calls it being helpful if you need tech support to 'check you're files and configuration'....yea right....<br /><br />I won't go off on a rant here (too late...) but you get the idea.<br /><br />Hey, just for grins....go to Steve Gibson's site (Shields Up...(GRC.COM)) and have them do a scan of you're system. It will show you how vulnerable you may be....

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Switching to cable

Well I went and had them do a scan and this is what it said.<br /><br />Your system has achieved a perfect "TruStealth" rating. Not a single packet — solicited or otherwise — was received from your system as a result of our security probing tests. Your system ignored and refused to reply to repeated Pings (ICMP Echo Requests). From the standpoint of the passing probes of any hacker, this machine does not exist on the Internet. Some questionable personal security systems expose their users by attempting to "counter-probe the prober", thus revealing themselves. But your system wisely remained silent in every way. Very nice. <br /><br />Port <br />Service <br />Status Security Implications <br /><br />0 <br /><nil> <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />21 <br />FTP <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />22 <br />SSH <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />23 <br />Telnet <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />25 <br />SMTP <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />79 <br />Finger <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />80 <br />HTTP <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />110 <br />POP3 <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />113 <br />IDENT <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />119 <br />NNTP <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />135 <br />RPC <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />139 <br />Net<br />BIOS <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />143 <br />IMAP <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />389 <br />LDAP <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />443 <br />HTTPS <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />445 <br />MSFT<br />DS <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />1002 <br />ms-ils <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />1024 <br />DCOM <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />1025 <br />Host <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />1026 <br />Host <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />1027 <br />Host <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />1028 <br />Host <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />1029 <br />Host <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />1030 <br />Host <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />1720 <br />H.323 <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />5000 <br />UPnP <br />Stealth There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address! <br /><br />So I guess my firewall is working fairly well anyway.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Switching to cable

Gees, that IS good news! Congrats!! Believe it or not, you are an exception. Most of the time, I see folks with the Netbios(port 139) open.<br /><br />Well done...<br /><br />EDIT:<br />Just for grins I ran these on mine....<br /><br />GRC Port Authority Report <br /><br />Results from scan of ports: 0, 21-23, 25, 79, 80, 110, 113, <br /> 119, 135, 139, 143, 389, 443, 445, <br /> 1002, 1024-1030, 1720, 5000<br /><br /> 0 Ports Open<br /> 0 Ports Closed<br /> 26 Ports Stealth<br />---------------------<br /> 26 Ports Tested<br /><br />ALL PORTS tested were found to be: STEALTH.<br /><br />TruStealth: PASSED - ALL tested ports were STEALTH,<br /> - NO unsolicited packets were received,<br /> - NO Ping reply (ICMP Echo) was received<br /><br />----------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />GRC Port Authority Report <br /><br />Results from scan of ports: 0-1055<br /><br /> 0 Ports Open<br /> 0 Ports Closed<br /> 1056 Ports Stealth<br />---------------------<br /> 1056 Ports Tested<br /><br />ALL PORTS tested were found to be: STEALTH.<br /><br />TruStealth: PASSED - ALL tested ports were STEALTH,<br /> - NO unsolicited packets were received,<br /> - NO Ping reply (ICMP Echo) was received.