My 4 port router with NAT/SPI firewall was only $49.99 CAD after a $10 MIR. I know building a Linux box and running a firewall on it is the true geek way to go, but unless you have one sitting around your not using... it can still be more financially viable to just buy a router. That and you dont have to worry about bad sectors on a used hard disk, because there isnt any in your typical router.
Since I am saving up to buy a new computer this summer, I may actually turn this silly b0x into a gateway. I didn't think about using a firewall os though. That actually intrigues me.
<!--QuoteBegin-DragonMech+Mar 14 2005, 09:21 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DragonMech @ Mar 14 2005, 09:21 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> ZoneAlarm doesn't work too well with some bittorrent clients (such as my favorite, Azureus). At the reccomendation of the Azureus website I switched to SPF and haven't had any problems. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> ZoneAlarm 4.5 works just fine with BitTorrent. It's 5.0 that sucks.
Linux box ftw. You can get them cheaper than a router, actually. Find some old 400 MHz box lying around someone's basement. I have a few myself. Take it off their hands for $50. Cheaper than a nice Linksys router, and more secure too.
<!--QuoteBegin-ReK+Mar 15 2005, 01:29 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (ReK @ Mar 15 2005, 01:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Linux box ftw. You can get them cheaper than a router, actually. Find some old 400 MHz box lying around someone's basement. I have a few myself. Take it off their hands for $50. Cheaper than a nice Linksys router, and more secure too. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Plus you'll learn loads about linux in the process. (Is that a positive or negative point...) However, you'll need a beige box permanently on somewhere...
You asked for a 3rd firewall option: BlackICE defender. It has built in cracker-tracing facilities and comes with a specific option for "TCPIP_finger_bittorrent" (or some similar name.)
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> ...using ICF to block intruders is like trying to stop a train with a cow <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> What, it works once, but as a side-effect 200 people die and get covered with beef? Sorry, couldn't resist. =D
ICF + Software firewall + Hardwire firewall ftw. Just don't try to run a server... :S (I have BitTorrent working fine with this setup, but it's taken me 4+ burnt routers to get it. I kid you not.)
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Cold-NiTe, I'm concerned as to how this idiot managed to make any system alterations in the first place. Without running an exe or giving him physical access to your PC it's frigging hard to inflict the sort of mess-ups you're describing. SP1 &2'd?
Additionally, after a system breach of this nature, I'd highly recommend a full re-install. I'm sure you're brother won't mind. Slip him some encouragement if not.
Comments
ZoneAlarm 4.5 works just fine with BitTorrent. It's 5.0 that sucks.
Plus you'll learn loads about linux in the process. (Is that a positive or negative point...)
However, you'll need a beige box permanently on somewhere...
You asked for a 3rd firewall option: BlackICE defender. It has built in cracker-tracing facilities and comes with a specific option for "TCPIP_finger_bittorrent" (or some similar name.)
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->
...using ICF to block intruders is like trying to stop a train with a cow
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What, it works once, but as a side-effect 200 people die and get covered with beef?
Sorry, couldn't resist. =D
ICF + Software firewall + Hardwire firewall ftw. Just don't try to run a server... :S (I have BitTorrent working fine with this setup, but it's taken me 4+ burnt routers to get it. I kid you not.)
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Cold-NiTe, I'm concerned as to how this idiot managed to make any system alterations in the first place. Without running an exe or giving him physical access to your PC it's frigging hard to inflict the sort of mess-ups you're describing.
SP1 &2'd?
Additionally, after a system breach of this nature, I'd highly recommend a full re-install. I'm sure you're brother won't mind. Slip him some encouragement if not.
Good luck mate.