traxtermax
UPSTATE NEW YORK
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Joined: 05/26/2004
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I just got high speed Internet and wonder if I need any better security than what I now have (AVG, Spybot and Adware). I want to wirelessly connect a hardwired W98SE system to Windows XP HE.
I understand that routers Lynksis(?) and Belkin have built-in firewalls and are much more secure than what I have now. Is that true?
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A guy at Geek Squad told me that W98 SE would be wide open to internet “abuse” and WXP would be more secure but he still recommended Kasparsky. He said it’s a light program so it wouldn’t clog up the W98 system.
Suggestions and recommendations are most welcome. Thanks.
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joshjack
Alabama
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Joined: 11/01/2007
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Well, the programs you listed (AVG, Spybot, Adaware) are all prevention of virus and spyware - not hacking attempts. While kasparksy and others are decent products, none can match the strength and usefulness of a hardware firewall.
Please specify what kind of broadband you have. If you have DSL you most likely have a firewall already, if you have cable - most likely not.
I do not recommend Belkin, Linksys is OK, D-link is OK, Netgear is OK (check reviews of current offerings first).
Your best bet is to get a wireless router/firewall instead of wirelessly connected to the W98SE machine.
J
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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The programs you mentioned are fine for dealing with problems after they happen, but they won't prevent them. As joshjack said you need to first try and get a hardware firewall between the internet coming into the house and the the computers. Having a better software firewall is also a good idea. You can probably find an older copy of ZoneAlarm that will run on Win98. I have an old Win98 box running ZA and AVG. It's behind our hardware firewall, and I've never had problems with it.
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Bobbo
Memphis, TN
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To the OP, you list "Adware" rather than "Ad-Aware." Note that they are NOT the same. Ad-Aware (from Lavasoft) is a wonderful program, and I would not have a computer that it is not run on at least once a week. Adware is spyware masquerading under a name similar to Ad-Aware. Be ABSOLUTELY SURE that you don't have Adware on your computer!
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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I would add Zone Alarm to the mix
Yes, you need security
Personally.. Since assorted mal-ware programs have been used to attack the Military computers,and E-mail spam as well in an attempt to deny them service.. I'd like to see spammers and mal-ware authors declared terrorists and treated as I feel they deserve to be treated.
I think the net would get much much faster if that happened.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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ventrman
Erin, TN
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I use sandboxie, found at sandboxie.com. The free version is free to use from now on. I always run my browser sandboxed. The sandboxie program treats everything as a virus. It prevents anything from being written to your hard drive. When you get done with what you were doing simply delete the contents of the sandbox and whatever was there is gone for good.
You can run any program you want sandboxed.
Another good program is keyscrambler. The free version scrambles any user name and passwords. The pro version costs $25 and scrambles anything that is typed into your browser. I am using it as I type this.
If, for example some malware infects you with a keylogger, the keyscrambler program scrambles everything before the keylogger can pick it up.
I use both programs constantly. I hope that helps.
God Bless!
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Kamphiker
South Florida (this 'aint paridise anymore)
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Make sure that you use encryption with your wireless router
at MINIMUM use WEP if your Wireless cards / Adapters in your computers support WPA then use WPA as this is a whole lot more secure than WEP.
If you have other wireless items like a Nintendo DS that does not support WPA, the you will have to stay with WEP, Just make the password long and throw in a few key strokes like @%* etc.
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DaveMac
Citrus Heights, CA, USA
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Most good routers use WPA2.
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Serena
US
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Yes, just go to your local store, tell them you need a NAT router. That and the programs you already use will do just fine in terms of protection from direct assaults, and it really doesn't matter which OS you use. The underlying technology is the same for all of them and hasn't changed in years.
Serena
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traxtermax
UPSTATE NEW YORK
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Joined: 05/26/2004
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In a trememdously abbreviated version, and end result of my experiences since this post, I got a Belkin wireless G router and USB wireless adapter (that's before I read joshjack's post).
My question for the moment, is:
Do I have adequate security if I have the Belkin router between my W98 computer and CABLE modem? I do have Ad-Aware on my Windows XP (thanks Bobo) but that's where I was going to use the wireless adapter because it's on the second floor. Belkin says they have to change channels and that's why it doesn't work and they wanted me to move the whole computer downstairs to reset some channel even though they changed the channel with the XP(if I have to, I'll use a laptop). It would be nice if I could keep the computers where they are now and have a reasonable amount of security. Calcutta Charlie and Mike gave me Belkin tech support but with my hearing aids installed and my wife by my side, we only understood about 70% of what they said.
I don't game or download music or things like that.
How do you know if a router uses WPA2? Is it advertised as such on the box?
What's a NAT router and how do I identify it?
If I can maintain the present positions of both W98 and XP computers, and maintain adequate security, I'll be happy.
Bottom line: Can I rely on Belkin's built in firewall to protect both computers?
Well, that's the really short version of my experiences. Thanks for your input.
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