One For The It Techs

[Jamesb4uk]

Ok, i'm looking for a decent network firewall,

basically here's what i'm doing...

I've got a WiFi network comprising of 2 PC's & 3 laptops. All running XP.

the network is ad-hoc 128 bit encrypted, with the SSID hidden.

basically the ADSL link is AOL (Dont ask) connecting via USB adsl modem on 1 laptop with a shared PPPOE login to the rest of the PC's/Laptops.

I'm now looking for a Firewall to put on the laptop to secure it.

i've toyed with the idea of using Smoothwall but the DSL modem isn't suppprted natively.

Any idea's on a good firewall that will protect the rest of the PC's?

J

[Matthew_McNally]

why not get a ADSL NAT router?

should support your existing network setup - if not, then it will be simple enough to make your network get IP's dished out by DHCP from the router.

and the fact it does NAT will make it act as a firewall as well. ;)

[Jamesb4uk]

basically i've got a Linksys dsl router which does everything but i'm doing this as a learning process.

J

[Matthew_McNally]

basically i've got a Linksys dsl router which does everything but i'm doing this as a learning process.

J

←

if you already have a NAT router - then this will act as an incoming firewall.

a software firewall on each of the machines would also be a good idea - but something like zone alarm would be sufficient

[right-on]

I use Clarkconnect with an ADSL Ethernet modem, rather than Smoothwall. This is only because Clarkconnect allows me to share printers connected to the firewall PC. So far (in ~12months) it has worked fine.

It is also a good idea to use someting like ZoneAlarm to prevent out-going connections from your PC's...

Richard

PS. Clarkconect also enables you to host a website, email server etc. etc. etc...

[cfc1]

Personally.. for a software firewall, i prefer Sygate to zonealarm.

[Super7]

Shoot me if you want… but the XP sp2 firewall should be ok (shudder)

[cfc1]

*shoots*

[Carrera_C]

Shoot me if you want… but the XP sp2 firewall should be ok (shudder)

←

Have agree, XP SP2 Firewall is actually quite secure.

[Jamesb4uk]

<hands CFC1 the gun....>

dunno what to try, i've used Sygate, Black Ice and Zone Alarm before as well as a few others.

XP firewall i refused to use at work, it caused so many problems with our network.

I might do a trial one on a few & see what their like..

Thanks guys..

J