Re: Need recommendations on security

Frog Prince wrote:
> "Mike Easter"

>> How about 'so that I won't be so much trouble to you all the time'  ?
>
> That's a possibility but we're over there on the slightest whim
> regardless. If she sees my light on early in the morning I'll get a
> phone call 'biscuits are just coming out of the oven and coffee is
> hot'

That's not at all the same thing as not wanting to be any trouble.  Just
the opposite.  Payback.

>> That is also the case for the single computer connected 'always on'
>> facing the internet on a cable modem which is not networked to the
>> laptop.  The address translation of the NAT device is a very powerful
>> feature aiding in the security of the box compared to just the
>> software personal 'firewall'.
>
> What do you recommend in this regard.

Well, I'm not a serious firewaller like the dudes in
comp.security.firewalls -- they nitpick the deficiencies of the weak NAT
devices and talk about how to get a good deal and install 3rd party
firmware to some mass market device and all that.  The NAT device I
bought was on sale at Fry's. :-)

> BTW there is no such thing as 'ALWAYS ON' as this lady is a product
> of the Depression and waste nothing.

Well, the cable modem folks would kinda like to be able to update cable
modem firmware in the wee hours of the morning whenever they feel like
it and they rather prefer that the cable modem be on all the time.
Their suggestion is that if the cable modem owner doesn't feel
comfortable with the 'exposure' that they should push the standby button
if they have one - which effectively disconnects the modem from the
computer while leaving the modem in the cableco's network and accessible
to updating.

> As example she will often gift
> us with homemade preserves etc (did I mention she is a terrific
> scratch cook?) but if I don't bring back the Kerr Jars in a timely
> fashion I'm put on 'allocation'.

I completely understand that position and support it wholeheartedly.
What are you going to be doing with *her* Mason jars and tops after
you're done with the goodies inside anyway? ;-)

-- 
Mike Easter
kibitzer, not SC admin