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Re: Computer Security



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It is technically correct that a cable service gives you a dynamic IP
address (your "lease" is renewed every couple days), but in practice it is
rare for it to change.  I have a cable modem, and I've had the same IP for
the last year.  Personally, I'd prefer a more "dynamic" dynamic IP, so as to
present at least a *moving* target for the hackers and script kiddies.

Be careful with Lockdown 2000.  There is an extensive (and scathing)
analysis of the software at
http://www.primenet.com/~lippard/pchelp/index.html  I tried the evaluation
version of Lockdown and immediately got a false trojan alarm.  They then
wanted me to buy the full version (~$100) in order to clean this trojan.
Apparently the software doesn't scan your files, however, it just checks the
*size* of your file against its list of known trojan file sizes.  If you're
looking for an anti-virus/trojan scanner, consider Norton Anti-Virus, McAfee
or The Cleaner, and if you're looking for a firewall application, check out
ConSeal or BlackIce.

Regards.


----- Original Message -----
From: Joe Stratmann <jstratmann@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Omega Research <omega-list@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: December 9, 1999 14:47
Subject: RE: Computer Security

Someone stated that when you have Cable Modem or DSL connection you always
have the SAME IP address.   This isn't entirely true (not to step on
anyone's toes here).  But most Modems (of any type) use a Dynamic IP
address - meaning your IP address is actually leased for a certain period of
time then later, you get a new one.  In my area, I have to pay an extra
charge to get a "STATIC IP" address - so my IP address is ALWAYS the same
when I logon.

Check out Lockdown on www.downloads.com, a friend of mine said it's a decent
program.  A couple other good ones are NetMedic and...ugh can't remember the
other one.  If I think of it I'll post the name.

Good luck

-Joe

> -----Original Message-----
> From: DonC [mailto:countach@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Monday, October 18, 1999 11:08 AM
> To: omega-list@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Computer Security
>
> You can reduce your exposure to hackers through a cable modem by
> disconnecting the network cable to the cable modem when you're
> not using the Internet.  This doesn't "lose" the connection
> (as will disconnecting a phone modem)  since the connection is
> really between the cable modem and the cable network.
> And Ethernet (the cable modem output) doesn't work like the phone line.
> When you reconnect the cable the connection will be there.
>
> If it is inconvenient to disconnect the cable frequently, you can
> run the cable through a 2-port RJ45 (the plug type) switch box
> (about $12) so that you can just turn the switch instead of unplugging
> the cable.
>
> Also, did the cable company tell you that your computer must be within
> 6 feet of the cable mode?  Why do you suppose this is?  Because the
> cable company will only give you a 6-ft cable!   Ethernet will run
> 100 meters  (IEEE 100BaseTx specification 802.3u).  A 25-ft cable
> (CAT5 type) will cost another $12.
>
> donc