XP Pro/Home, Router/Networking Security
My main PC (host) is running XP Pro and my laptop XP Home. The configuration is a Netgear WGR614V6 router where I currently have the wireless function disabled. The host has full acess to the laptop but the laptop can only see the host, nothing beyond. I am running NTFS on all HDs along with NTFS security rights (except for the XP home edition). I also use Norton 360 on both (Firewall/Antivirus). I am running internet access through a cable modem which ports into the router. I'm looking for recommendations or pointers to tech articles that discuss security given this environment. Although this router has a firewall, I'm a little leary about relying on it 100%. Thanks
what exactly are you worried about?
If its external access onto the pc's as long as you dont have any port forwards, your pretty much as secure as can be.
Just keep your w/less turned off and keep your router/firewall closed and you should be ok.
If you are over-paranoid, look into a Linux-based firewall solution. Would involve a 3rd pc (but it could be a really old one - mine runs on a P400 with 128mb ram), and it would have to sit between your router and a switch, but it would add another layer of security. Ready-made solutions like IPCop (free - open source) and Smoothware (free for non-commercial use i think) can incorporate plugins to give funcionality such as Proxy software, AV Scanning of Emails / Internet content, Content filtering software, and more.
Whether you need it or not though is upto you, Most businesses rely on a similar setup as you (but with a larger switch running off the router), and have more or less no issues.
If its external access onto the pc's as long as you dont have any port forwards, your pretty much as secure as can be.
Just keep your w/less turned off and keep your router/firewall closed and you should be ok.
If you are over-paranoid, look into a Linux-based firewall solution. Would involve a 3rd pc (but it could be a really old one - mine runs on a P400 with 128mb ram), and it would have to sit between your router and a switch, but it would add another layer of security. Ready-made solutions like IPCop (free - open source) and Smoothware (free for non-commercial use i think) can incorporate plugins to give funcionality such as Proxy software, AV Scanning of Emails / Internet content, Content filtering software, and more.
Whether you need it or not though is upto you, Most businesses rely on a similar setup as you (but with a larger switch running off the router), and have more or less no issues.
ASKER
Actually both systems are running SP2 and the guest account is disabled on both. I inherited this laptop and it came with XP Home which I've never used before so I'm slowly discovering its shortcomings. I am also looking for tips on securing the router further (if possible). Given the configuration I described, I wanted to make sure each potential entry point is covered, to the best of my ability.
If your just looking to secure the router you have, just double check no ports are being forwarded anywhere, and triple check the wireless is Off. thats about as secure as you can be :)
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Use a anti virus/spyware/pest application as well such as zonealarm pro 7 as that will give you a software firewall as well as your routers firewall.
You really need to setup security properly using the security tab with usernames and passwords. On the laptop ypu need to use safemode (f8 during boot) to see the security tab.