Broadband and modems

I'm sick of dial-up slowness, and am thinking of finally getting broadband..
However, should I get my own modem with firewall? Will this be a more secure solution than using the one given by my ISP (who'll probably be Homecall, if they can clarify their terms and conditions!)?

And if so, which one should I get?
I don't need wireless as I've only got 1 PC, and will most likely only be able to get 1MB/s broadband.

 

if you don't have more than 1 pc just use their freebie modem (if they do one) and use zone alarm and avast for protection. if you want to spend some money you could try norton or panda but they are no better than the free ones really.
cheers


julian

 

I've already got Panda, but someone told me that isn't necessarily enough, especially with broadband - 2 firewalls are better than 1!
Amazing how many times my ports are scanned (!) just on dial-up surfing..

 

I have hardware and software (Sygate) firewalls. Since ADSL modem/router/firewalls are so cheap, seems silly not to. I use a Netgear DG834 and it's been great.

 

i use a linksys wrt54g (not a modem though although they do have a modem version iirc). if you want to spend the money then fine but as long as you have a firewall that stealths your ports and allows you to control access then nothing is going to get in or out (without your knowledge and consent). an antivirus will take care of dodgy downloads and e-mails and a coupel of the more popular adware scanners will take care of tracker and logging crap.
that said a router could be useful in the future if you ever want to investigate pc audio or you get another pc etc.
cheers


julian.

 

Having fun with Linksys-G (WRT54G)

It looks like you can have a bit of fun with these and make them go a little faster if you are up for it.

 

hi Leonard, I have a Thomson one with Tiscali that works quite well and I use xp's firewall which does its job ok...I think

 

I use a hardware router too, its great especialy when using older obscure PCs. Basicialy as longs as everything is plugged into the network the DHCP function in the router gives each client an IP address and internet access. No messing about with modem drivers or anything. Its brilliant.

 

We started off using the USB modem supplied by Tiscali. One word..DONT. From what I gather its less secure than a router (it broadcasts your computers IP add rather than the routers IP) also we had to kep re-connecting the USB modem. Now we've got a Netgear DG 632 router and its excellent.
Jeff

 

the router will mask the ip of your pc (that's it's job it translates the outside / internet ip to an internal network ip so multiple pc's can use the same connection) however a software firewall like zone alarm will block any and all unused ports that weren't opened by the pc so well that the attacking computer won;t even see that there is a pc there (port stealthing).

 

Just get Broadband you won't regret it. I find it so frustrating at work waiting that extra half a second for everything i do to happen,
I bought a SafeCom 4114 ADSL Modem/Router very cheaply from e-buyer. It was a dream to set up taking just minutes and they also have a very helpful support/discussion forum which is jam packed with info. I went for a wired router as i only have 2 computers in the house and it is really easy routing hidden wires about my house due to its design and layout.

I use Norton AV 2005 which i picked up for peanuts off e-bay. I also use XP's built in software firewall on both machines as well as my routers firewall. According to Sheilds-Up ! and Norton AV's online scanners my computer is fully stealthed and doesn't exist- not even sure how i managed to acheive that - its that easy and seemed to happen automatically.

I use BT-Yahoo Broadband , it is not the cheapest but then again I've also seen plenty of other folk go for cheaper/different ISPs on similar threads to this one and they've nearly all been back with tales of woe- you aint heard no complaints from me !

 

Cheers chaps!
I'll probably get a router just to be safe - though my computer got a "perfect stealth" score from Shields Up.. Belt'n'braces n'all..
Still vacillating wildly about ISP, as none of them seem to be able to answer any questions apart from "will you accept my money?"