Firewall for cablemodem-using road runner

[LHARRI57]

I just staring using roadrunner wirless networking-I was told that the firewalls i was using is not needed because of the firewall on cablemodem (router is what i was told its call sometime). I am using xp on one pc-Using xp built in firewall start having prombles with wireless diconnected it. Using win 98 on other pc using sysgate firewall. During some online security scans its showing some ports open. What do i use to protect myself from virus and hackers??

[YeOldeStonecat]

Well, most broadband modems are not routers, therefore do not have any firewall whatsoever.

Routers for the home market work using what's called NAT...Network Address Translation. This takes your public IP address, and translates it to a private IP address, which the router assigns your computer. An example of a private IP address that's common if you have a router is 192.168.1.XXX.

[LHARRI57]

i have have a router and ip address is something like this 192.168.1.XXX. Am i protected thru a firewall ?

[blebs]

You are to an extent. I don't know anything about routers and port forwarding, so I'll leave that to those who do. They can help get you as secure as possible with it.

Can you tell us what ports are showing as open?

[LHARRI57]

An ICMP ping request is usually used to test Internet access. However, an attacker can use it to determine if your computer is available and what OS you are running. This gives him valuable information when he is determining what type of attack to use against you. (Protocol ICMP 8 )SAYS OPEN i am usingsysgate on line scaning

Trojan 6776 CLOSED This port has responded to our probes. This means that you are not running any application on this port, but it is still possible for someone to crash your computer through known TCP/IP stack vulnerabilities. these are the message i am getting.

Before going To cable i was using DSL CONNECTION. using sysgate pro all ports was blocked


Ideally your status should be "Blocked". This indicates that your ports are not only
closed, but they are completely hidden (stealthed) to attackers

[blebs]

I know you can make yourself unpingable, but I don't know about the 6776 port. Once everything is locked up tight on the router, you've already got your best defense. Far better then a software firewall.

You may not get an answer until morning, but hang in there, someone will get you fixed up. ;)

[YeOldeStonecat]

Router by default are totally closed, and your computer is protected. By default I mean all ports are closed, non are open/forwarded...and no computer is in the DMZ.

Soo...have you opened up/forwarded any ports to your computer for any reason? Or...have you put an computer in the DMZ?

Ensure your router has the latest firmware...some early firmware versions weren't as secure, and updated firmware usually fixes those issues.

Many routers have a feature to enable/disable responses to ping request...I prefer to have it disabled so it does not respond to a ping from the WAN side. (usually turned off by default)

Many routers have a features to enable/disable WAN management, (usually disabled by default) usually I'd say to keep this disabled unless really needed, and if needed...change that default router admin password to something very strong.

What make/model router are you using?

[LHARRI57]

i am using the ORION AB3000-How you adjust to diable?

[LHARRI57]

What do you mean by have you opened up/forwarded any ports to your computer for any reason? Or...have you put an computer in the DMZ? All i know is that rr set this up and i am sharing files and printer with other house pc